Choir Handbook and Syllabus 2016 - 2017
Highland Park Senior High
Mr. Seth Bovis – [email protected] - Room 1329
I. Course Summary
Welcome to the choir department at Highland Park Senior High School! I am looking forward to getting to know you as
both a singer and scholar. We will align our choir curriculum this year with the Minnesota State Music Standards. This
year we will focus on understanding how to read and notate music, basic music theory, music history, and using a
process journal to reflect on performances.
• Honors Choir is made up of students who have been in choir at least one year at HPSH. This class is designed for
singers to continue their knowledge of music theory and music history. Junior and Senior singers in this class
are encouraged to take the IB music exam which we will be using class time to prepare for. This is an auditioned
choir.
• Intermediate Mixed Choir is designed for singers in grades 9 – 12 that come from all different musical
backgrounds. This is a great choir that will perform repertoire in two, three, and four part harmonies. We will
start out the year with basic music theory and progress as the year goes on.
• Treble Choir is designed for treble singers in grades 9 -12 from all ability levels. Singers in this choir will sing
music in two and three part treble harmonies while continuing their knowledge of music theory and music
history. II. Unit of Study
At the end of each unit, there will be a 50 pt. summative assessment.
• Unit 1: The Medieval and Renaissance Era, note names and note values, basic rhythms, the treble clef, solfege,
and sight singing in one part.
• Unit 2: The Baroque Era, dotted rhythms, time signatures, the bass clef, and sight singing in two parts.
• Unit 3: The Classical Era, key signatures, circle of fifths, and sight singing in three parts.
• Unit 4: The Romantic Era, composition, and sight singing in four parts.
III. Standards and MYP Aims
We will be using and referring to the Minnesota State Standards for dance and tying the into our IB/MYP school wide
curriculum.
State Music Standards
MYP Aims
Strand I: Artistic Foundation
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of music
• Demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of
using subject specific terminology, understand the role
of music in its original context, and use acquired
the arts area.
• Demonstrate knowledge and use of the technical knowledge in the process or creating and performing
music.
skills of the art form, integrating technology
when applicable.
• Demonstrate understanding of the personal,
social, cultural historical contexts that influence
the arts area.
Strand II: Artistic Process: Create or Make
• Create or make in a variety of contexts in the arts
area using the artistic foundations.
Strand III: Artistic Process: Perform or Present
• Perform or present in a variety of contexts in the
arts area using the artistic foundations.
Strand IV: Artistic Process: Respond or Critique
• Respond to or critique a variety of creations and
performances using the artistic foundations.
Develop a feasible, clear, imaginative and coherent
artistic intention through performance.
Present prepared material to a group while
understanding the process behind the performance.
Create an artistic response, of themselves and others,
that will construct meaning and transfer their learning to
new settings.
IV. Assessments and Grading Scale
You will be graded on content knowledge and participation. Daily participation – or active participation – will be entered
into the grade book weekly. Since choir is a performance based class you will need to be actively participating everyday.
This includes brining all materials to class, adhering to our device policy, not talking to your neighbors, and being a
responsible member of your section. Active participation will be worth 2 pts/day. We will follow the HPSH grading
policy and grading will break down like this:
• Summative – 70% of your total grade – Performances, daily active participation (sight singing, note reading,
written work), and quarterly tests.
• Formative – 30% of your total grade –
All projects must be approved. Do not begin a project until you have received a signed rubric from Mr. Bovis
AssignmentTitle
DescriptionofAssignment
PointValue
MusicListening
CompleteaformfromMr.
10(Max3persemester)
Boviscomparingtwo
contrastingpiecesofmusic.
Researchacomposer,
Selectapersonofintereston 30(Max1persemester)
performerormusicalera
whichtocollectbiographical
information.Presentyour
findingswithvisualandaudio
examples.
GarageBand
Usinggarageband,compose 20-30(Max1persemester)
asongtodemonstrateyour
knowledgeoftheelements
ofmusic.Thiscan
demonstratevocalability,
musicalform,symbolsand
notation,rhythm,dynamics,
etc…
DesignaConcert
Createaposterforaconcert 20-30(Max1PerSemester)
youwillperform.Thismaybe
withliveaccompanimentor
SmartMusic.Vocalor
instrumental.
ExtraCurricularMusical
SingNationalAnthem,Singa 10-15
Activity
soloorsoli,performina
smallgroup,districthonors
choir,takeprivatelessons…
Attendaconcert
MusicTheoryChapters
Attendaconcertandwritea
reviewusingacademic
musicallanguage.
Expandyourknowledgeof
musicnotationandliteracy.
IBmusictestpreparation.
10(Max3persemester)
10perchapter/packet
Since Highland Park Senior High is an IB/MYP school, tests and projects will be assessed using our Arts criterion. Each
criterion will have a rubric and students will be provided said rubric when a test or project is assigned.
Criterion A
Knowledge and Understanding
Criterion B
Developing Skills
Criterion C
Thinking Creatively
Criterion D
Responding
Through the study of theorists and practitioners of the
arts, students discover the aesthetics of art forms and
are able to analyze and communicate in a special,
artistic language. This will be assessed by unit tests or
quizzes and study guides.
Through the development of artistic skills students are
provided with active participation in the art form and
in the process of creating art. This will be assessed by
in class performances and large ensemble
performances.
Thinking creatively encourages students to explore the
unfamiliar and experiment in innovative ways to
develop their artistic intentions, their processes and
their work. This will be assessed using composition
assignments.
Students have the opportunity to respond to their
world, to their own art and to the art of others to
encourage students to make connections and transfer
learning to new settings. This will be assessed using
listening assignments and responding to other
performances.
V. Singers Responsibilities
It is your responsibility to be an active member to your ensemble. That means showing up to class on time ready to
sing with all materials and showing up to all performances at your call time with your part learned and dressed in the
proper attire.
• Materials: Folder to hold music (folders will be stored in the choir room), Notebook to use as a process journal,
pencils to mark your music, school issued iPad for recording and research purposes.
• Performances: You must attend every performance listed on this syllabus. If there is a conflict, please see me
ASAP (work is not a conflict – you have plenty of time to ask for these few dates off).
• Performance attire: Unless stated otherwise your performance attire is as follows: Gentleman: black pants or
black jeans (no rips or holes), solid black shirt (any style), solid black shoes (no sandals). Ladies: black pants,
skirts, or dress (no leggings), solid black top (no tank tops), black shoes (no sandals).
VI. Performances
It is mandatory that you attend every performance. On performance days, you may stay after school. Please make sure
you let your stakeholders know these very important dates and encourage them to attend the performances as a guest.
We will work so hard this year preparing for concerts I want to make sure you are a part of the performances. I
understand that sometimes things come up last minute – getting these dates on your calendar now will minimize the
chance of that. If there are any conflicts with these dates, please let me know ASAP. We can then talk about make up
projects/assignments.
• Winter Choir Concert: Wednesday, December 16th @ 7:00 (singers call is 6:15)
• New Student Open House: Thursday, January 28th @6:30 (singers call is 6:00) HONORS CHOIR ONLY
• Spring Arts Showcase: Wednesday, March 23rd @7:00 (singers call is 6:15)
• Spring Choir Concert : Thursday, May 12th @7:00 (singers call is 6:15)
• Senior Honors Night: Date TBD – HONORS CHOIR ONLY
• Graduation: Wednesday, June 8th @5:30 (students need to he at HP at 4:30 – we will provide transportation to
and from Roy Wilkins).
VII. Classroom Policies and Procedures
This classroom is an environment that fosters creativity and open mindedness. Please keep in mind that each singer
brings something different to our class, so please be respectful of your classmates and our creative space. Though you
might not always agree with the comments or ideas expressed in the class, you are expected to consider ideas
thoughtfully, respond respectfully and be sure to always treat your fellow students with dignity and respect. Disruptive
behavior may result in a student being asked to leave class.
• Please be to class with all of your materials when the bell rings. You will not be dismissed until everyone is
sitting at his or her seat – please do not line up at the door.
• No gum or food in the choir room. If you do need to eat something – please see me first and enjoy in the
hallway.
• No cell phones while we are rehearsing. Technology has become a wonderful educational tool, yet it is
important to set limits to keep students on task. Phones, iPads, and laptops should only be used when
instructed by the teacher. The classroom is not a charging station, and therefore should not charge their devices
in class at anytime. Any student who does not follow this policy may have their device stored by the teacher
until the end of the day. Continued issues will be handled at the instructor’s/administrator’s discretion.
VIII. Lettering
In order to earn a music letter from Highland Park Senior High you must meet the following criteria:
• Participate for two full years in a music ensemble at HPSH OR one full year in a music ensemble plus
participation in another musical opportunity supervised by either Ms. Mendenhall or Mr. Matuzak.
• Attendance at every scheduled performance that is on the syllabus.
• Receive an 80% or higher on a basic music theory test.
IX. Other Music Opportunities
• IB Music Test – Please see me if you are a junior or senior wanting to take the IB music test this year.
• Spring Musical – There are many opportunities from being a member of the cast, crew, or pit. More information
to come. The show dates this year are April 28th – 30th.
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National Anthem Opportunities – Please see me if you are interested in singing the national anthem at a
sporting event.
Holiday Performances – Please see me if you are interested in participating in the Highland Caroling group that
carols around the Highland Village during the winter holiday season.
Ordway Honors Choir – This is an auditioned choir made up of 10th -12th -grade music students around the
district. Auditions will be sometime in February. The rehearsal dates are 3/17, 3/24 and 4/12 with the concert at
the Ordway on 4/12 at 6:30. More information to come.