The choral program
at Kalani High School is open to all students. This course focuses on the development of basic
vocal techniques and skills including: tone quality, breath support, posture,
diction, and song performance. Attention is given to the understanding and
practice of basic elements of music including music reading skills, theory, and
history. We will sing a variety of musical styles including, but not limited
to: Folk/Traditional, Classical, Jazz, Musical Theater, Hawaiian/Reggae, Hip-Hop/R&B,
Rock, and Pop/Contemporary music. The musical arrangements will come from a
variety of styles and periods and will be sung in unison, two-part, three-part,
and four-part harmony. There will be occasional opportunities for solo singing,
ensemble movement, and assigned projects and/or presentations throughout the
year. Chorus 1 is considered a beginning level class and there are no
prerequisites. Chorus 2/3 is open to students who have successfully completed
at least one year of chorus class.
PHILOSOPHY:
Music is at the core of learning because it unites thinking, feeling,
and doing. The study of music promotes positive student academic outcomes
and further heightens the totality of the school experience. The primary goal
is to make singing engaging, fulfilling, and enjoyable; for students to
understand that they are a key component in making this possible, and that they
determine their success in this course. Chorus class provides the opportunity
to develop and nurture other life skills including communication, teamwork,
discipline, confidence, and empathy. It is also an opportunity to serve and be
a positive influence in the school and community.
NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR MUSIC EDUCATION:
1.
Singing, alone and with others, a varied
repertoire of music.
2.
Performing on instruments, alone and with
others, a varied repertoire of music.
3.
Improvising melodies, variations, and
accompaniments.
4.
Composing and arranging music within specified
guidelines.
5.
Reading and notating music.
6.
Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.
7.
Evaluating music and music performances.
8.
Understanding relationships between music, the
other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.
9.
Understanding music in relation to history and
culture.
SCHOOL WIDE LEARNER OUTCOMES:
·
Self-Directed Learners
·
Community Contributors
·
Complex Thinkers and Problem Solvers
·
Quality Producers
·
Effective Communicators
·
Ethical and Effective Users of Technology
HAWAI’I STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GENERAL LEARNER OUTCOMES (GLOs):
•
Self-directed Learner (The ability to be
responsible for one's own learning)
•
Community Contributor (The understanding
that it is essential for human beings to work together)
•
Complex Thinker (The ability to
demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving)
•
Quality Producer (The ability to
recognize and produce quality performance and quality products)
•
Effective Communicator (The ability to
communicate effectively)
•
Effective and Ethical User of Technology
(The ability to use a variety of technologies effectively and ethically)
AREAS OF FOCUS:
·
Performance skills: vocal technique, choral
blend, and expression
·
Musical literacy: pitch, rhythm,
harmony/part-singing, sight-singing, and ear-training
·
Exposure to choral literature and knowledge
of musical styles and related music history
COURSE GOALS:
·
Students will develop musicianship skills and
gain confidence with healthy singing voices
·
Students will understand what it means to be a
singer and a musician in an ensemble
·
Students will also understand the similarities
and differences among structures and styles within choral music and the choral
music tradition around the world
PROCEDURES AND ROUTINES:
·
Be present, on time, and actively singing during
rehearsals
·
Be prepared for class with a music folder,
notebook, and sharpened pencil with an eraser
·
Participate in all classroom
activities—especially singing—with a positive attitude and focus
·
Actively contribute to class discussions by
answering questions, volunteering responses, and asking questions to gather information
and knowledge
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS:
·
Students will be respectful, honest, and willing
to learn
·
Students will be engaged in learning, give their
full effort, and treat others with respect
·
Students who are ill and/or unable to sing will
remain focused on the music during class
·
Students must provide the instructor a written
and signed parent and/or doctors note for all excused absences on the day of
his/her return to school. Late notes will not be accepted.
GENERAL RULES:
·
No food, gum, or soft drinks during
instructional time. A bottle of water is recommended.
·
Students will be excused from class at
instructor’s dismissal
·
Students will be given an alternate assignment(s)
to complete and/or sent to the office and/or given no/partial credit for the
day if he/she is non-compliant with the general rules and expectations
GRADING POLICY:
Grades are earned by
assessing each student’s participation and effort in daily rehearsals, vocal
and musical development of skills (song, sight-singing, and ear-training
assessments), acquired knowledge (assignments, quizzes, exams, projects, and
group work), and a culminating experience(s) (community-service,
school/community productions, etc.).
Grading will be
based upon the following scale:
·
A = 90-100%
·
B = 80-89%
·
C = 70-79%
·
D = 60-69%
·
F = 0-59%
Percentages will be based
on:
·
Class participation and effort (GLOs) = 50%
·
Development of skills and/or knowledge based
assessments = 30%
·
Culminating experience = 20%
MAKE UP/LATE WORK:
•
If student has an excused absence(s), he/she
must see Mrs. Kaaua on the day/class of his/her return to request make up work.
Mrs. Kaaua may assign make up work when deemed appropriate.
·
There will be no/partial credit earned for late
work.
·
Due to the nature of this class, a student’s
grade will reflect the work done during instructional time.
