Student Expectations
From the Curricular Choir Syllabus.
Course Content
EMS Choir is offered to students in grades 6–8 who are interested in actively developing their individual and ensemble vocal skills. Mastery of breath control, vocal production, diction, intonation, tone blending, singing in harmony, and music-reading proficiency (including sight-singing) are emphasized. Students will work on these skills daily in class through performance and showcase their performance multiple times throughout the year via live concerts.
Standards
EMS Choir uses the National Core Arts Standards (NCAS) for Traditional and Emerging Ensembles to guide our curriculum and course content. This frame work breaks the artistic process into four components:
Creating Performing Responding Connecting
Students will experience music through these four components and their subsequent anchor standards to build artistic literacy and work toward lifelong goals which acknowledge the essential relevancy of music and art. For more information regarding the NCAS, please visit www.nationalartsstandards.org/
Course Content
EMS Choir is offered to students in grades 6–8 who are interested in actively developing their individual and ensemble vocal skills. Mastery of breath control, vocal production, diction, intonation, tone blending, singing in harmony, and music-reading proficiency (including sight-singing) are emphasized. Students will work on these skills daily in class through performance and showcase their performance multiple times throughout the year via live concerts.
Standards
EMS Choir uses the National Core Arts Standards (NCAS) for Traditional and Emerging Ensembles to guide our curriculum and course content. This frame work breaks the artistic process into four components:
Creating Performing Responding Connecting
Students will experience music through these four components and their subsequent anchor standards to build artistic literacy and work toward lifelong goals which acknowledge the essential relevancy of music and art. For more information regarding the NCAS, please visit www.nationalartsstandards.org/
Assessment Criteria and Distribution
20% - Practice Assessments - Formative assessments based on the standards to give students practice with music concepts. The majority of the grades in the gradebook will be practice assessments. Examples of a practice assessment are Smart Music assignments, exit tickets, and small projects in Soundtrap.
80% - Mastery Assessments - Summative assessments based on the standards to measure students' understanding of music concepts. There will be at max 4 mastery grades in the gradebook each quarter. Examples of a practice assessment are Smart Music assignments, quizzes/tests, and large projects in Soundtrap.
20% - Practice Assessments - Formative assessments based on the standards to give students practice with music concepts. The majority of the grades in the gradebook will be practice assessments. Examples of a practice assessment are Smart Music assignments, exit tickets, and small projects in Soundtrap.
80% - Mastery Assessments - Summative assessments based on the standards to measure students' understanding of music concepts. There will be at max 4 mastery grades in the gradebook each quarter. Examples of a practice assessment are Smart Music assignments, quizzes/tests, and large projects in Soundtrap.
Score |
Letter Grade |
Percentage |
5 = Mastery |
A+ |
95% - 100% |
4 = Proficiency |
A |
80% - 94% |
3 = Approaching Proficiency |
B |
70% - 79% |
2 = Emerging Understanding |
C |
50% - 69% |
1 = Lack of Completion |
D |
49% and below |
Classroom Expectations
● Arrive to class on time, prepared for rehearsal:
o Have all assigned materials prepared (music binder and pencil.)
o Be in seat when bell rings.
o Stand and participate when warm-ups begin.
● Avoid disruptive behavior during rehearsal
● Do not damage or deface school property. This includes music, music stands, chairs and all school instruments.
● Keep the choir room clean, it should be seen as your home away from home.
● Refrain from eating and/or chewing gum during rehearsal. Water is the only drink allowed in chorus room.
● Cell phones should remain silent and away, unless permission for cell phone use is explicitly granted.
Rehearsals
Daily rehearsals will follow a basic format that may include the following activities:
Singing Lessons: Activities such as stretching, movement, and vocal exercises to develop individual and group singing technique.
Musicianship lessons: Activities that practice skills that make us better musicians. This will include sight-reading, score study, music games, etc.
Repertoire Rehearsal: The bulk of rehearsal will be devoted to learning and practicing our performance music.
Community-Building Games: Activities that contribute to a positive group dynamic and instill a strong sense of teamwork.
● Arrive to class on time, prepared for rehearsal:
o Have all assigned materials prepared (music binder and pencil.)
o Be in seat when bell rings.
o Stand and participate when warm-ups begin.
● Avoid disruptive behavior during rehearsal
● Do not damage or deface school property. This includes music, music stands, chairs and all school instruments.
● Keep the choir room clean, it should be seen as your home away from home.
● Refrain from eating and/or chewing gum during rehearsal. Water is the only drink allowed in chorus room.
● Cell phones should remain silent and away, unless permission for cell phone use is explicitly granted.
Rehearsals
Daily rehearsals will follow a basic format that may include the following activities:
Singing Lessons: Activities such as stretching, movement, and vocal exercises to develop individual and group singing technique.
Musicianship lessons: Activities that practice skills that make us better musicians. This will include sight-reading, score study, music games, etc.
Repertoire Rehearsal: The bulk of rehearsal will be devoted to learning and practicing our performance music.
Community-Building Games: Activities that contribute to a positive group dynamic and instill a strong sense of teamwork.
Materials
Students are expected to have the following materials every day in class.
Required: 1 inch 3-ring binder, 3-hole folder with 2 pockets, pencils
Recommended: water bottle, color pencils, erasers
Students will also need a quiet/private place to practice at home, and a wired microphone and headphone set up for recording music.
Students are expected to have the following materials every day in class.
Required: 1 inch 3-ring binder, 3-hole folder with 2 pockets, pencils
Recommended: water bottle, color pencils, erasers
Students will also need a quiet/private place to practice at home, and a wired microphone and headphone set up for recording music.
