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

Spring 2021

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.
      • Reports
        • Example: Write papers concerning composer biography and cultural influences of a piece being performed by the chorus.
      • 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
      • Distance Learning

      Lab:

      1. Instructor will have students attend a chorus festival and, in a three-page paper, critique performances of choruses. Instructor will lead a discussion explaining the coaching and comments of the guest adjudicator as well as performance elements by the choruses (diction, poise, intonation, interpretation). This activity requires critical listening and thinking skills, applying what has been learned in class rehearsals to public performances.

      Lecture:

      1. Instructor presents a lecture about the correct pronunciation of vowels in a Latin choral work and in an English choral work. Instructor has the chorus in various sections (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) demonstrate the differences between the English and Latin spoken vowel and the sung vowel in Latin and English. This creates an understanding of language differences in sound and offers the opportunity for critical listening for those differences as well as reproducing them.

      Typical Out of Class Assignments

      Reading Assignments

      1. Read and discuss the choral performance reviews in The Choral Journal (ACDA). 2. Read 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

      • Achieved is the Glorious Work
        • Author: Franz Joseph Haydn
        • Publisher: G. Schirmer
        • Publication Date:
        • Text Edition:
        • Classic Textbook?: No
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • Tambur
        • Author: J. Paix
        • Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes
        • Publication Date:
        • Text Edition:
        • Classic Textbook?: No
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • The 21st-Century Voice: Contemporary and Traditional Extra-Normal Voice
        • Author: Michael Edward Edgerton
        • Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
        • Publication Date: 2015
        • Text Edition: 2nd
        • Classic Textbook?: No
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • Adventures in Singing
        • Author: Ware, Clifton
        • Publisher: McGraw-Hill Publishing Company
        • Publication Date: 2007
        • Text Edition: 4th
        • Classic Textbook?: No
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • Bach's Major Vocal Works: Music, Drama, Litergyjor Vocal Works: Music, Drama, Litergy
        • Author: Markus Rathey
        • Publisher: Yale University Press
        • Publication Date: 2016
        • Text Edition:
        • 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.