TRAINING DEPARTMENT CURRICULUM

VOCAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT:

Respiration

• encouraging correct singing posture that allows the breathing muscles to engage properly during singing, and encourages alertness throughout the rehearsal and performance process

• engage and use abdominal muscles and other breathing muscles for support

• implement the natural cycle of inhalation/exhalation

• connect the breath to a phrase of music--the foundation of a legato line

• teach the relationship between breath and musical phrasing

• physical freedom and release of muscular tension in singing

Phonation

• learn to differentiate between vocal sounds, upper registration and lower registration

• produce a healthy sound in both the upper and lower registration and start the gradual process of blending the two together

• Resonant Tone Production

• develop the awareness and skill of clear, resonant, and accurate singing

• develop technique in healthfully projecting the voice

• develop uniform vowel pronunciation in singing

• sing with a relaxed jaw and open throat

Expression

• develop an emotional connection to the music

• develop confidence in the rehearsal and performance setting

• develop an appreciation for a variety of songs

• sing expressively through use of dynamics and tempo

MUSIC THEORY OBJECTIVES FOR PRIMA CHORUS (PRE-K & KG)

• Explore and experience ‘comparatives’ (loud and soft, fast and slow, high and low)

• Learn to feel a steady beat and to discern the difference between rhythms (“the way the words go”) and the underlying steady pulse.

• Focus on singing in tune by matching the teacher, the piano, or another instrument, or another student

• Sing a major scale in solfege syllables, with handsigns

• Recognize, read, write and perform simple rhythmic patterns using eighth, quarter, half notes and rests

• Recognize basic symbols in music

• Repeat signs

• Linking phrase contour to melody

• Stepping, skipping and leaping sounds

• Long and short sound durations

• Concept of lines and spaces

• Take a basic theory test at the conclusion of each singing semester

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES FOR PRIMA (PRE-K & KG)

• Develop good choral singing habits: follow the conductor’s beat and cutoffs

• Singing a large repertoire of unison songs or canons

• Learn a large group of folk and composed songs with different tonal relationships

• Learn songs which implement movement, particularly encouraging beat and rhythmic awareness

• Learn songs which incorporate improvisation and individual creativity

• Prepare concert songs for performance, to be memorized and sung at a high standard

• Gain experience and confidence performing by participating in all SFYC concert opportunities:

• full chorus concerts in December and May

• outreach concerts to retirement homes and convalescent hospitals

• Attend chorus summer camp

• Pass a basic performance assessment at the conclusion of the singing semester

MUSIC THEORY OBJECTIVES FOR SCHERZO (GRADES 1-2)

• Differentiate between major and minor tonalities

• Differentiate between duple and triple meter

• Recognize, read, write and perform simple rhythmic patterns using eighth, quarter, half notes, whole notes, eighth, quarter, half and whole note rests

• Begin to work with intervals, M2, M3, P4, P5

  • Sing basic melodies using Do, Re, Mi, Fa and Sol

• Sing patterns and exercises from notes on a staff, using solfege

• Learn basic time signatures, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4

• Learn to track their part through a musical score

• Expand sensitivity to dynamics and apply these concepts within performance:

  • crescendo and diminuendo

  • ritardando

  • forte, fortissimo, piano and pianissimo

  • legato, staccato

• Take a basic theory test at the end of each singing semester

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES FOR SCHERZO CHORUS (GRADES 1-2)

• Develop skills in intonation and vocal independence through unison songs, partner songs simple 2-part songs and canons

• Differentiate between the melody and a high harmony part (descant) or a lower harmony part (alto)

• Continuing learning to follow a director, specifically:

• staying together as an ensemble

• following changes in dynamics

• Accuracy in entrances and cut-offs

• Learn an internationally diverse body of repertoire, to develop an understanding of other cultures and languages

• Gain experience and confidence performing by participating in all SFYC concert opportunities:

• full chorus concerts in December and May

• outreach concerts to retirement homes and convalescent hospitals

• Attend chorus summer camp

• Pass a basic performance assessment at the conclusion of each singing semester