Der Meistersingers

Course Overview

All members of the larger choir, Der Meistersingers, will learn the components of the staff, the five major notes, with and without dots, in standard counting and in triplet form, their name origins, their values, and their rhythm sounds. They will also learn the solfeggio scale, the letter names of notes on, above, and under the treble and bass staves, and how to read choral rhythms and music using various meters.  Students will be taught to correct breathe correctly and the correct method for producing an excellent choral and vocal sound.  They will be exposed to famous choral music of various genres from the five major historical eras.  Performances of compositions may use foreign languages or English, with and without accompaniment.  The chorus will attend the county choral festival and may participate in the state choral festival.  Chorus members may audition for the Prince George’s County Elementary School Honors Chorus (grade 6) and Middle School Honors Chorus (grades 7 and 8).  They may also audition for the Maryland All-State Junior Chorus.

Requirements

• The students are required to bring the following items to class:
• a sharpened pencil (with an eraser)
• approximately fifty clear plastic sheet protectors, a one-inch three-ring binder to protect all of their worksheet, music papers, and other papers generated in class
• Choral Arts Work Book
• and, their personal Agenda Book.

Grading Factors

A.        In quarters with no concerts:

·        Tests                                        25%

·        Class work                               25%

·        Homework                               25%

·        Participation                             25%

B.         In quarters with concerts:

·            Tests                                      15%

·            Class work and Homework    15%

·            Participation                           15%

·            PM Rehearsal Attendance      25%

·            Concert Attendance                30%

Homework includes the worksheets titled:

• Whole Notes, Names, and Counting
• Half Notes and Whole Notes, Too
• What’s My Name
• Quarter Notes and Adeste Fidelis
• Eighth Notes and Eighth Note Couplets, Et Al
• Whole, Half, Quarter, Eighth, and Sixteenth Notes and Their Mixtures

The following are some of the tests which the students will experience:

• rhythm tests
• note naming tests
• pitch naming tests
• warm-up singing exercises
• singing exercises
• solo part-song class performances
• small group class performances
• large group class performances
• concert performances

Course Overview

These are non-graded courses.  Il Bel Canto members are selected from the larger chorus, Der Meistersingers.  Il Bel Canto Scelto members are selected from Il Bel Canto.  These members comprise trio choirs, one person to a voice part.  All members of these small choirs will be exposed to famous choral music of various genres from the five major historical eras.  Performances of compositions may use foreign languages or English, predominantly a cappella.  The chorus will attend the county choral festival and may participate in the state choral festival.  Chorus members are expected to audition for the Prince George’s County Elementary School Honors Chorus (grade 6) and Middle School Honors Chorus (grades 7 and 8).  They are also expected to audition for the Maryland All-State Junior Chorus.

Requirements

• The students are required to bring the following items to class:
• A sharpened pencil (with an eraser)
• Approximately twenty clear plastic sheet protectors, a one-inch three-ring binder to protect all of their music.
• Their personal Lunch Pass
• Excellent behavior in school
• Good quarterly grades

Maintaining membership requires:

• excellent rehearsal attendance
• excellent rehearsal behavior
• excellent performance skills
• and, excellent concert attendance

Homework includes practicing their music

Tests:  The following are some of the tests which the students will experience:

• small group class performances
• concert performances