1. Catalog Description:

This choral ensemble provides students the opportunity to rehearse and perform choral music appropriate for the women’s voice. The repertoire will include literature from all music periods and styles. Audition required.

2. Focus and objectives:

This course satisfies the requirements for the Fine and Performing Arts category of the University Studies Program by including learning activities that promote students’ abilities to…

A. Explore the language, skills, and materials of an artistic discipline;

B. Use the methods of an arts practitioner to actively engage in creative processes or interpretative performances;

C Understand the cultural and gender contexts of artistic expression;

D. Engage in reflective analysis of their own artwork or interpretative performances and respond to the works of others.

Course outcomes- The following are competencies to be attained.

Students will be able to:

...identify and analyze representative musical forms, styles, performance practices, performance media, as well as representative composers and compositions of western music, and describe the musical traditions and characteristics of diverse and representative world cultures. (USP Outcomes A and C)

...demonstrate a basic knowledge of vocal techniques and acoustics including tone production and intonation, articulation and diction, voice placement . (USP Outcomes A, B, and D)

...demonstrate advanced solo and ensemble performance competence with the voice to assure musical accuracy and expressiveness using music examples from diverse styles and time periods. (USP Outcomes A, B, C, and D)

...demonstrate advanced performance competence on one's major vocal performing medium in a small or large ensemble. (USP Outcome B)

...identify and reproduce intervals, scales and chord structures with the voice. (USP Outcomes A and B)

...demonstrate advanced vocal solo and ensemble performance competence with the voice. (USP Outcome B)

...interpret vocal music scores and understand range, tessitura and phrasing. (USP Outcomes A and B)

3. Outline of topics

Form, style, performance practice

composers of western music

musical traditions of diverse and representative world cultures

proper vocal production techniques

tone, articulation, diction, focus

vocal performing in small and large ensembles

music theory

choral music score reading.

 

 

4. Plans and Methods:

Plans and methods of instruction include sectional rehearsals, full rehearsals, student-led rehearsals, student critiques of past rehearsals and performances.

 

 

5. Course requirements:

Projects and assignments:

performance in up to approximately 4 concerts per year

variety of programs- periods, styles, traditions, genres, forces, a cappella, accompanied

Evaluation Criteria

pre concert evaluations and critiques 40% of grade

rehearsal and concert attendance 60% of grade

 

 

6. Text: sight-reading texts

Materials: choral music octavos and collections, folder, piano, CD’s, videos, tapes, records, audio equipment, camcorder

 

B. Rationale

This course benefits the department and the university in that it provides WSU students with another choral music option from which to choose.

The three other choral ensembles (Concert choir, 85 members, the Madrigal Ensemble, 25 singers, and the Oratorio Chorus, 75 singers) have reached the maximum in terms of group size.

This course also provides another option for students seeking to meet the requirements for the Fine and Performing Arts category of the University Studies Program.

C. Notification

This does not effect the total credits required by a major or minor of any other department.

D. "G" Courses

Undergraduate course only.

E. General Education Course Proposals

Instructor: Dr. Harry A. Mechell

Office: Room 145, Phone 457-5251

Hmechell@winona.edu

Credits: Ensemble is 1 credit.

Description: This choral ensemble provides students the opportunity to rehearse and perform choral music appropriate for the women’s voice. The repertoire will include literature from all music periods and styles. Audition required.

This course is eligible for University Studies Course credit under

B. Arts and Science Core,

4. Fine and Performing Arts.

The student must enroll and pass Women’s Chorus with, at least, a B letter grade to receive one credit towards fulfilling the University Studies Course requirement for Fine and Performing Arts.

This course satisfies the requirements for the Fine and Performing Arts category of the University Studies Program by including learning activities that promote students’ abilities to…

A Explore the language, skills, and materials of an artistic discipline;

B. Use the methods of an arts practitioner to actively engage in creative processes or interpretative performances;

C Understand the cultural and gender contexts of artistic expression;

D. Engage in reflective analysis of their own artwork or interpretative performances and respond to the works of others.

Course outcomes- The following are competencies to be attained.

Students will be able to:

...identify and analyze representative musical forms, styles, performance practices, performance media, as well as representative composers and compositions of western music, and describe the musical traditions and characteristics of diverse and representative world cultures. (USP Outcomes A and C)

...demonstrate a basic knowledge of vocal techniques and acoustics including tone production and intonation, articulation and diction, voice placement. (USP Outcomes A, B, and D)

...demonstrate advanced solo and ensemble performance competence with the voice to assure musical accuracy and expressiveness using music examples from diverse styles and time periods. (USP Outcomes A, B, C, and D)

...demonstrate advanced performance competence on one's major vocal performing medium in a small or large ensemble. (USP Outcome B)

...identify and reproduce intervals, scales and chord structures with the voice. (USP Outcomes A and B)

...demonstrate advanced vocal solo and ensemble performance competence with the voice. (USP Outcome B)

...interpret vocal music scores and understand range, tessitura and phrasing. (USP Outcomes A and B)

Outline of topics:

Form, style, performance practice

composers of western music

musical traditions of diverse and representative world cultures

proper vocal production techniques

tone, articulation, diction, focus

vocal performing in small and large ensembles

music theory

choral music score reading

Projects and assignments:

performance in up to approximately 4 concerts per year

variety of programs- periods, styles, traditions, genres, forces, a cappella, accompanied

Text: sight-reading texts

Materials: choral music octavos and collections, folder, piano, CD's, videos, tapes, records, audio equipment, camcorder

Evaluation Criteria

pre concert evaluations 40 % of grade

rehearsal and concert attendance 60 % of grade

Uniforms and music

Music and uniforms provided under the following conditions. A deposit of $25 is required from each choir member to cover costs of music. The music deposit will be returned to each student at the end of the students' last term in choir. Student will be charged for any materials not returned on time

10/17/2000 Pastime with good company, RH, 7:30 PM

1/30/2001 Schubertiade, RH, 7:30 PM

Attendance:

Attendance is essential. You have 1 free absence. After that, you must make any absences up. No matter what the reason, you must make up the absence. A sectional make-up schedule will be posted.

I have read the entire choir syllabus for spring 2001, have recorded the concert dates, understand my obligations to the ensemble and agree to its terms.