Junior High Chorus 7th and 8th grade
Junior High Chorus: Grades 7 & 8 
2023 & 2024
Donna Halliwell, Vocal Director       
                                                  Email: [email protected]
                                                                      
Classroom code for Period 1 Chorus White day: vi6s3tb
Classroom code for Period 1 Chorus Green day: eu6hslc

Classroom code for Period 4 Chorus: cln4abs

BRING  CHROMEBOOK FULLY CHARGED AND EARBUDS TO CLASS EVERY DAY
               
This is a performance based class. Students will learn how to sing alone and together. Students will learn standard, age-appropriate choral literature, of different cultures, sacred and secular. The type of repertoire learned and performed is Board of Ed approved. Students will be tested on their knowledge of the repertoire and skill ability, intonation, and vocal strength and quality. Vocal testing grades will be a part of the Chorus grade. Attendance at concerts is reflected in student grades. Students' performance in class, at rehearsals, and concert is also assessed and reflected in grades.

Concerts are mandatory and part of the Board of Ed approved Chorus curriculum. Students must attend unless there is a valid excused absence (doctor's note should be given). Students must stay for the entire concert. No credit given if student leaves early. If a concert date changes due to unforeseen circumstances (such as inclement weather) the students must attend the concert on the new date.


Winter Concert: Tues, Dec. 19 Concert starts at 7:30 students be in Choir room at 6:45 (date and time subject to change)

Spring Concert: 
Wed. April 24 Concert starts at 8:00 p.m. students be in the Choir room at 7:15 (date and time subject to change)

Concert dress (same for both concerts) 
Boys: 

  • Dress pants (any color), Khaki pants (any color) or black jeans(no rips). No blue jeans, track pants, sweat pants, shorts, (etc). 
  • A button-down dress shirt (any solid color) or collared shirt (like a golf shirt, solid color)  short sleeve is fine. No t-shirts, no shirts with logos, no sweat shirts
  • Dress shoes or black sneakers. No sandals, no basketball sneakers, no work boots, etc. 
  • Please feel free to wear the black and white concert dress you had to wear for the 6th-grade performances or if you are in band this year

Girls: 

  • Dress (solid color if possible, not short) or skirt (solid color, knee length or lower) or dress pants, or black jeans (no rips). No leggings, blue jeans, shorts, track pants, sweat pants, NO SHORT SKIRTS!  
  • Dressy top (solid color), short sleeve is a good idea, no spaghetti straps
  • Dress shoes, or ballet type shoes, or black sneakers,  no flip flops, UGG boots, sneakers other than black
  • Please feel free to wear the black and white concert dress you had to wear for the 6th-grade performances or if you are in band this year

Grading:

1. Vocal Testing: singing correct part, using strong voice
  • 95-100%: outstanding vocal quality, singing correct notes, demonstrating strong voice
  • 90%: you are doing well, but you need to sing with stronger voice, you can do better
  • 80-85: you are singing with a weak voice, you are singing incorrect notes/rhythms, you don't know the music as well as you should, you can do better
  • 75 or lower: you are barely singing, I can't hear you, weak voice, you don't know the music
2. Class/Performance Assessment:
  • How are you performing in class, at special rehearsals, concerts
  • Focus on singing
  • participating by singing
  • following directions
  • proper behavior
  • Also any Google forms or IN-Class assignments for Period 1 Chorus. The grade is lowered by one letter grade if you do not have your Chromebook and cannot do the assignment in class. Students who are absent must complete the work at home. Check the Classroom to see if there is an assignment.
3. Attendance at concerts. You won't receive a grade for the concert, but will be lowered 2 or more overall letter grades for the quarter if you do not attend the concert without a valid excuse. Reminder: Concerts are an approved part of the Board of Education curriculum.
  • All students must attend the concert. Failure to do so will result in at least 2 or more lowered overall grade for the quarter. Students who cannot attend due to illness should provide a doctor's note
  • Students must wear concert dress





Resource Links (You Tube videos)
Supplemental assignment:
Watch the video and answer the following using complete sentences.  Use as many examples and descriptive statements as possible.
1.  Explain what falsetto and head voice are.
2.  How is each produced.  What is happening to the vocal chords?
3. Provide examples of when you would hear falsetto and head voice (styles of music, types of songs).
Watch the video and answer the following using complete sentences.  Use as many examples and descriptive statements as possible.
1. Describe what a "breathy" sound is, and why it happens (physically).
2. Is "breathiness" bad? Why or why not?
3.  Do you want to sound "pretty" when you sing? Why or why not?
4.  How can someone correct "breathiness"? Include exercises you can do to correct "breathiness".
Breathing for Singers (read the article and do the assignment)