The General’s GOLD STAR Choir - Choir 5 and 6                             

Course Description: The standards for the Gold Star choir (Grades 5 and 6) enable students to obtain musical knowledge and skills in the choral setting. Students begin to develop choral skills, including singing in unison and two-part harmony, with emphasis on vocal production and technique. Students learn to read, write, and compose music, using basic music theory. They explore and perform music in a variety of music styles. In addition, students develop an understanding of acceptable concert etiquette. Students are provided with opportunities to participate in local, district, regional, and state events. There will be two evening concerts in December and in May.   Attendance to these concerts will be graded.  

Course Length:  Year, every other day 

The complete Standards of Learning for this course may be accessed on the Virginia Department of Education website at http://www.doe.virginia.gov.   A paper copy of the standards can be provided upon request.   The SOLs used for these classes are: Middle School Vocal/Choral Music, Beginning Level. 

Objectives/Skills/Required To Be Assessed

The student should be able to demonstrate the following acquired skills by the end of the course:

• Identify, define, and use basic standard notation for pitch, rhythm, meter, dynamics, and other elements of music
• Echoing, reading, and notating rhythmic patterns that include whole notes, dotted halfnotes, half notes, dotted quarter notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, and corresponding rests
• Sight-sing eight-measure melodic patterns, while maintaining a steady beat
• Distinguish major and minor tonalities
• Use proper posture for choral singing
• Use breathing techniques that support vocal production
• Identify vocal anatomy, including the functions of the diaphragm and soft palate in singing
• Sing developmentally appropriate vocal exercises
• Define intonation and use correct intonation
• Blend with other singers on the same vocal part;
• Use proper diction 
• Sing unison and two part scores
• Sing music from memory and from a score
• Interpret dynamic markings (p, f, mp, mf, crescendo, decrescendo
• Demonstrate expressive phrase shaping
• Respond to basic conducting patterns and interpretive gestures by conductor
• Use facial and physical expressions that reflect the mood and style of the music.
• Cooperate and collaborate as a singer during rehearsal
• Identify the cultures, musical styles, composers, and historical periods associated with the music literature being studied
• Describe performances of music, using appropriate music terminology
• Accepted criteria used for critiquing musical performances
• Identify ways in which music evokes sensory, emotional, and intellectual responses,

Assessment Methods of Skills

• Individual or group critiques of student performances using teacher-generated rubrics
• Teacher-generated rubrics for specific assignments
• Written or oral evaluations conducted by student and/or teacher
• Question-and-answer assessment (e.g., large group, small group, partner, individual)
• Performance participation and personal evaluation

Required Texts and Resources

Most items (scripts, materials, etc)  will be provided in class or by the teacher. 

Uniform for concerts will be jeans and a choir tshirt (optional donation of $10 requested).  

Special events may require unique needs- ample notice will be given in those cases.

Policies and Procedures

*Follow all school and WPS rules and regulations.  

We will be positive and support each other.

We will try our best and be willing to take risks. 

We will take this class and singing seriously.

We will be respectful of each other in words and actions. 

Note: Be aware that disrespect, of any kind, to teacher or peer will absolutely not be tolerated.