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Vocal Jazz

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Concert Chorale

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Practice Log

Recordings

Vocal Jazz Syllabus

Course Outline

This course is principally designed to train and prepare a choir in the elements of vocal jazz performance, which will include the aspects of music reading, jazz history, and listening skills. Madrigal and other styles of choral music will also be studied and performed. For this choir to achieve its maximum potential, the following requirements will be stressed.

Materials

The student will need his/her music folder, a pencil in hand, and any other assigned materials on a daily basis.

The school will provide music; each student has an assigned folder number with music, for which they will be held responsible.

Homework

Students will be required to practice at home in preparation for sung tests. Testing will occur at teacher discretion, and will be graded. At home practice should reflect the music currently in students' folders, as well as sight-singing and appropriate vocal warm-ups. Individual preparation by each student will accelerate our abilities as a vocal group!

Evaluation

Grades will be determined on the following basis:
75% Participation in class, concert performances, weekly practice records
25% Written and played tests

• All full choir performances are worth 100 points each.
• Practice records are worth 10 points each week.
• Each student will start with a participation grade of 100%. The score remains '100' until the student lowers it by inappropriate classroom behavior, coming to class unprepared (i.e. without music, pencil, arriving tardy, etc.)
• Grade percentages are computed utilizing EAPlus software.
• Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is mandatory. The points you receive for participating are a very large part of your grade. This is a performance-based class, and many, if not most, performances will take place outside of school hours. Students are expected to attend all after-school rehearsals, concerts, and performance trips. Missed rehearsals and concert experiences cannot be duplicated.
• PLEASE CHECK THE ATTACHED CALENDAR OF CHOIR CONCERTS! If a student has a prior conflict with a scheduled choir performance, please notify me before September 12. If a student has a prior commitment on the family calendar, it will be entered into the Grade Book database as "excused", and the student will not be responsible for the missed points from that performance. If you are not at a performance (other than those mentioned by September 12) you do not receive points for that performance. (An exception to this would be serious personal injury/illness.)
• All School and District policies regarding tardiness, attendance, behavior, etc. will be followed.
• Choir students will be on time to class, seated, and ready to begin rehearsals.
• Each daily class will be conducted as a rehearsal, and students will be expected to exhibit behavior, which will allow for maximum rehearsal accomplishments.
• Choir members will attend performances dressed in proper concert/performance attire.

Concert Attire

Will be determined by the group. Students will be responsible for supplying jazz attire. All students will need black shoes and black nylons or socks. Stay tuned for additional information on attire. Hang onto your concert choir attire, as it will still be used for formal occasions.