Catalog Description

Prerequisite: Enrollment Limitation: audition required; auditions generally occur the first week of class, and include ability to match pitch and produce a good tone
Hours: 54 (18 lecture, 36 laboratory)
Description: A variety of choral experience performing repertoire, both sacred and secular, from the medieval, baroque, classical, romantic and modern periods of music history. Focuses on performance practice, musical style and poetic interpretation. May be taken four times for credit. (C-ID MUS 180) (CSU, UC)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Evaluate the basic notational elements of choral music.
  • CSLO #2: Analyze and assess choral literature from at least two periods of music history per semester, increasing in ability to differentiate stylistic characteristics of these periods with each successive repetition of the course.
  • CSLO #3: Create and perform the basic notational elements of choral music.

Effective Term

Fall 2025

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

27

Total Student Learning Hours

81

Course Objectives

Lecture Objectives:
1. Sing with proper articulation, dynamics, phrasing and expression as directed.
2. Demonstrate appropriate blend and balance within the section and the ensemble.
3. Analyze and demonstrate choral literature from at least three periods of music history per semester.
4. Memorize performance repertoire as directed.
5. Sing his/her vocal part independent of others.
6. Demonstrate professional level ensemble performance and rehearsal standards of conduct.
Laboratory Objectives:
1. Practice the basic notational elements of choral music.
2. Demonstrate adequate vocal technique, advancing in level of proficiency with each repetition of the course.
3. Learn and demonstrate his/her vocal part independent of others.
4. Sing with articulation, dynamics, phrasing and expression as directed.
5. Demonstrate appropriate performance deportment.
6. Demonstrate an increased facility above previous level by repetition.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • AA/AS - Fine Arts
  • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
    • CSUGE - C1 Arts
  • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
    • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

      Articulation Information

      • CSU Transferable
      • UC Transferable

      Methods of Evaluation

      • Classroom Discussions
        • Example: After participating in a choral festival, small group discussions will report to the whole class observations of accuracy and style of the various performing choruses.
      • Skill Demonstrations
        • Example: Demonstrate the ability to blend and balance both in-class sessions and in public performance.

      Repeatable

      Yes

      Methods of Instruction

      • Laboratory
      • Lecture/Discussion

      Lab:

      1. Students are placed in quartets and asked to sing their parts in a small group to demonstrate knowledge and independence. Instructor evaluates each quartet's performance for note and rhythm accuracy. After receiving general instructor feedback, students discuss, as a group, their observations and ideas for further practice to master their assigned material.

      Lecture:

      1. Students sing assigned material while the instructor records and directs the ensemble. Afterward, students listen to the recording as a group and make observations about how successful various aspects of the performance were. The instructor will guide a discussion on ideas for future practice to master the assigned material.

      Typical Out of Class Assignments

      Reading Assignments

      1. Read and discuss the choral performance reviews in The Choral Journal (ACDA). 2. Read and analyze articles from The Church Music of the Late Renaissance and Reformation.

      Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

      1. Study, interpret, and perform choral texts of two to five pieces in foreign languages, e.g. Latin, German, French, Russian, Spanish and/or Hebrew. 2. Write a 5 page paper describing the life history of Palestrina, or any of his contemporaries, and their style of composition. 3. Sight read and perform a composition.

      Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

      1. Public choral performances. 2. Practice, both individual and in groups, for upcoming public performances.

      Required Materials

      • Phoenix
        • Author: Jocelyn Hagen
        • Publisher: jh music
        • Publication Date: 2023
        • Text Edition: 1st
        • Classic Textbook?: No
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • Echo
        • Author: Rob Dietz
        • Publisher: Walton Music
        • Publication Date: 2024
        • Text Edition: 1st
        • Classic Textbook?: No
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • Traveler's Hymn
        • Author: Matthew Lyon Hazzard
        • Publisher: Matthew Lyon Hazzard Music
        • Publication Date: 2023
        • Text Edition: 1st
        • Classic Textbook?: No
        • OER Link:
        • OER:

      Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.

      Appropriate musical selections are studied and performed. All music selected will be of a high artistic caliber, typically professional or university level compositions. Use of sheet music provided by instructor from Music Department score library.