Course Syllabus

MUSC 1226 Women's Chorale, Year One

Course Description

This course provides group training in a variety of musical styles arranged for women's chorus. Enrollment in this course is by audition. Those registering are expected to participate in major activities of the department. This course is repeatable for credit.

Justification

Besides providing training for the voice, the choir is an excellent venue for students to feel part of a group. The long-term working toward a mutual goal is almost unique to the study of music. Vocal music students are required to perform in a vocal ensemble each semester. This ensemble satisfies that requirement.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. Poetry is a crucial component in choral music. By exploring the poetry in the music, students will learn to recognize and appreciate well-crafted words, and the many ways in which fine poetry can describe the human experience. Essay questions will prompt students to share their own thoughts and experiences within the context of the poetry they encounter. Music is an experience present in virtually all human cultures. By exploring Art Music, and all kinds of Popular Music, students will learn to see themselves and their life experiences in the music. The human voice is the instrument by which choral music is made. To sing well, a person must be healthy. Students will be asked to adhere to a suggested regimen of diet, sleep, exercise, and healthy social interaction.  Poetry is a crucial component in choral music. By exploring the poetry in the music, students will learn to recognize and appreciate well-crafted words, and the many ways in which fine poetry can describe the human experience. Essay questions will prompt students to share their own thoughts and experiences within the context of the poetry they encounter. Music is an experience present in virtually all human cultures. By exploring Art Music, and all kinds of Popular Music, students will learn to see themselves and their life experiences in the music. The human voice is the instrument by which choral music is made. To sing well, a person must be healthy. Students will be asked to adhere to a suggested regimen of diet, sleep, exercise, and healthy social interaction.
2.  Students will be asked to search for examples and various performances of the music being studied, compare the examples against one another and the CHOIR’S own performance, and be asked to cite these examples in written post-concert essays. Students will also be taught the rudiments of music-reading.
3.  Students are asked to critically evaluate musical and poetic works within the contexts of the time/place from which they come, and the present day. Students are asked to articulate their point of view relating to the music and poetry and to explore any possible connections with ideas of nature, culture, values, ethics, and civil society.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. This music will represent a variety of historical periods and styles. Students will demonstrate their mastery of technical and stylistic demands through accurate performance in concert.
2. Students will demonstrate their ability to respond more sensitively to a masterwork that they have rehearsed, having discussed text, dynamics, phrasing, conditions under which it was composed, by accurately performing the music selected by the director.

Course Content

A variety of choral music, written for women's voices, will be studied, rehearsed and performed. Correct vocal techniques will also be studied during the rehearsal process. Information on the historical setting and the style of the musical period will be given during rehearsals. Repertoire will include music of various cultures, styles and time periods.