Course Syllabus
Course: MUSC 1036
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
Department: Music
Title: Cadence Chamber Choir
Semester Approved: Spring 2023
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2027
End Semester: Fall 2028
Catalog Description: This course provides group training in a variety of serious literature written for smaller vocal ensembles. Students enrolling in this course are expected to participate in major music events within the department. The group is auditioned from the student body. This course is repeatable for credit.
General Education Requirements: Fine Arts (FA)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1-3; Lecture: 4; Lab: 0
Repeatable: Yes.
Prerequisites: By instructor's permission, audition required
Justification: This course is designed for the vocal student/vocal music major that wishes to perform more difficult literature in an auditioned group. Much of the choral literature of the early music periods, pop music or jazz was written with smaller ensembles in mind. It is not suitable for larger choirs, nor is it within the abilities of non-auditioned groups to perform it. All of the four-year colleges in the state offer a similar performing group.
General Education Outcomes:
5: A student who completes the GE curriculum can communicate effectively through writing and speaking. Students will increase their knowledge of the musical periods and the social aspects of that time by studying this music and its composition. They will demonstrate this increased knowledge in performances that will be recorded for analysis. Quartets may sing individually for the instructor to ascertain memorization and performance readiness.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of each semester of this course, students will be able to accurately perform the music selected by the director. They will understand the music in its historical setting as well as the stylistic, expressive, and formal qualities associated with the particular era of music history. Quartets may sing individually for the instructor to ascertain memorization and performance readiness. The students will perform the music studied in concerts scheduled throughout the semester. Students will show their mastery of the musical elements (notes, rhythms, expressive content) in performance.
They will understand the textual meanings of the compositions. The students will communicate the understanding which they have gained to their audiences in concert. Students will show their mastery of selected literature during concerts given each semester.
Content:
Music will be chosen from all periods of music history and from all levels of difficulty within the ability of the current group. The skills of sight-singing and rhythmic reading will be taught through daily exercises and through rehearsal of the music. Proper vocal techniques will be discussed and applied.
Course material will be chosen to reflect the diversity of the student body, and to reflect broad cultural and racial diversity.
Key Performance Indicators:
Non-participation in mandatory ("Dress") rehearsals and concerts will lead to a failing grade.
Students will show their mastery of selected literature during concerts given each semester. 10 to 20%
Regular sectional rehearsals will provide feedback on individual progress. 10 to 20%
Regular and prompt attendance will be essential to a passing grade. 50 to 80%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Music will be supplied through the Snow College Choral Library
Pedagogy Statement:
Students will be taught using a combination of musical-motor skills demonstration, musical-cognitive skills demonstrations and instruction, and repetitive rehearsal of musical passages and pieces. The opportunity to audition for a seat in this choir is open to students of all racial, economic, social, cultural backgrounds, and to all gender identifications, sexualities, and preferences.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Maximum Class Size: 50
Optimum Class Size: 36
