Course Syllabus
Course: MUSC 4166
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New MediaDepartment: Music
Title: A Cappella Choir IV
Semester Approved: Spring 2021
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2026
End Semester: Fall 2026
Catalog Description: This course will provide group training in a variety of choral music literature. Those registering are expected to participate in major activities of the department. This ensemble will provide students with an opportunity to develop technical skill, sight-reading ability, and knowledge of the repertory related to the ensemble. It further allows students to synthesize musical, historical and cultural knowledge into meaningful artistic expression. Registration by permission of instructor. Audition required. May be repeated for credit. (Additional fee required)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
Repeatable: Yes.
Prerequisites: MUSC 3166 or permission of instructor. Audition required.
Justification: Performance in vocal ensembles teaches valuable musical and life skills for singers, including intonation, blend, balance, facility with language and an understanding of group dynamics. Vocal music majors are required to perform in at least one choral ensemble during each semester of their program at Snow College, and this course is the minimal requirement for all vocal music majors. This course fulfills one ensemble credit as required by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Credit for the course transfers for both music majors and non-majors.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Accurately perform the rhythms, melodies and harmonies of the music selected by the director. This outcome will be assessed through the evaluation of student performance in rehearsals, sectional rehearsals, and performances.
Perform essential vocal music skills as part of a choral section, including, proper intonation blend and balance. This outcome will be assessed through the evaluation of student performance in rehearsals, sectional rehearsals, and performances.
Show improvement in both speed and accuracy of literature memorization as measured by small group assessment. This outcome will be assessed through the evaluation of student performance in sectional rehearsals.
Understand the music in its historical setting as well as the stylistic, expressive, and formal qualities associated with the particular era of music history. This outcome will be assessed via evaluation of student practice journals.
Understand the textual meanings of the compositions. This outcome will be assessed via evaluation of student practice journals.
Communicate the understanding which they have gained to their audiences. This outcome will be assessed via concert performances and critiques.
Content:
• Sightsinging;
• Rhythmic accuracy;
• Pitch acuity;
• Balance and blend within the section and within the ensemble as a whole;
• Text review, historical context, accuracy of pronunciation and proper syllabification (emphasis);
• Vocal technique, including breathing, posture, tone production, placement and resonance.
Key Performance Indicators:
Students in choral music performance courses are assessed in the following ways (percentages are approximate):
Attendance at class sessions 40 to 50%
Documented practice hours 10 to 15%
Sectional/quartet rehearsal participation and performance 10 to 15%
Concert participation and performance 10 to 15%
Group Project - Participation in concert recording review and critique 10 to 15%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Music for this ensemble will be taken from the Snow College choral library.
Pedagogy Statement:
This course is delivered via direct instruction, collaborative student directed sectional rehearsals, demonstration, modeling, and mentoring.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Maximum Class Size: 120
Optimum Class Size: 100