Choir
Our Curriculum
- Music Literacy (for more information and practice go to www.musictheory.net
- How to read notes on a staff, rhythm reading, key signature identification, chord identification, major scale construction.
- Vocal Technique
- Mastery includes knowledge of the anatomy of the singing mechanism. Breath management, health tone production, and an understanding of the
- Musical Vocabulary (Elements of Music Unit)
- Students in choir will build their musical vocabulary throughout the year, mainly through the 7 elements of music (Rhythm, Melody, Harmony, Timbre, Form, Texture, Dynamics)
- Aural Skills (for more information and practice to go www.musictheory.net
- Melodic dictation, rhythmic dictation, echo-translate, call and response, interval identification, Major/minor/perfect interval singing
- Sight-reading/Sight-singing
- Basic sight-reading skills, rhythmic dictation, solfege symbols, melodic dictation.
MHS Choir Department Goals
Although different groups will have different performances and goals within their own choirs, there are some common goals that go across the entire department. These include:
- Providing each student with the best possible musical experience
- To create a sense of pride in self, community, and ensemble
- To expand knowledge and respect for other peoples and cultures through the arts
- To foster a safe and encouraging learning environment
- To achieve the highest levels of performance through learning, teaching, and research
- To reinforce the importance of music in the overall school experience
2023-2024 Performances
Performances are a big part of choir and are required as a part of our curriculum. They are also a big part of your grade.
Holiday Music Concert (MHS Auditorium)
Dress Rehearsal -Tuesday Dec 19th - 3:00 call time, 3:30 performance/run through
Concert - REQUIRED - Wednesday, Dec 20th 2023 4:30 call time, 5:00 performance
Spring Music Concert (MHS Auditorium)
Dress Rehearsal - Tuesday, May 21, 2024 - 3:00pm call time, 3:30 performance/run through
Performance - Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - 4:00pm call time for choirs, 5:00pm performance
Choirs at MHS
All MHS Choirs will provide students with learning opportunities that continue to enable them to:
- Develop skills of proper tone production, diction, technique and intonation
- Develop basic skills in music reading
- Display well developed solo and ensemble skills in singing selections from a variety of historical and cultural genres.
- Develop life skills as they work as a team toward a common goal.
- Develop a sense of pride in their work, ownership, independence and self-reliance.
Our Grades
Grading Policy:
- 30% Assessments
- Playing Assessments
- Recording submissions
- 60% Classwork
- Daily Rehearsal Practice
- 10% Homework
- Written reflections
- Rhythm
- or note reading assignments
Weekly Rehearsal Practice Rubric:
|
Category |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Active Engagement |
Student consistently sings, stops on cue and contributes to discussion. |
Student either occasionally sings, stops on cue, or contributes to discussion. |
Student does not actively sings throughout class. Student does not stop on cue nor contributes to discussion. |
|
Performance Technique |
Student consistently exhibits appropriate posture, vocal techniques, projection etc. |
Student occasionally exhibits appropriate posture, vocal technique, projection, ect |
Student does not exhibit appropriate posture, vocal technique, projection etc. |
Professionalism |
Student is prepared with a pencil and folder for class. |
Student is partially prepared with a pencil and folder. |
Student is not prepared with any rehearsal materials |
|
Music Literacy |
Student consistently sings/claps the correct rhythms and notes as presented on their sheet music. |
Student occasionally sings/claps the correct rhythms and notes as presented on their sheet music. |
Student does not sings/claps the correct rhythms and notes as presented on their sheet music. |
Conclusion
Again, I welcome you/welcome you back to our choir family. If you ever need anything from me, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or see me in room 217.
Thank you, and I look forward to a successful year!
Mr. Anderson
Vision and Mission Statement
MHS Choirs Vision and Mission Statement:
Vision:
The Maspeth High School Choir Program will be a place of respect, nurture, artistry, excellence, and creativity at the highest levels. Colleagues, parents, students, and the community will join and experience a choral program that inspires and challenges students to reach their greatest potential musically and academically.
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Maspeth High School Choral Program is to provide a high quality choral arts education in which students gain not only musical skills and a life-long appreciation of music, but also develop individual skills and strategies that will help them to be successful in all academic areas and throughout their lives.