Instructor: Ms. Sandra Bassett Remind Code: vocaldev Classroom: Music Room Class Website:Email:[email protected] Office Hours: T/W/F, 12:05-12:45, By Appointment Course Day/Time: Tu/W
Course Description:
Welcome to Vocal Performance! I hope you will find this class interesting, exciting, and valuable. Our primary goal is to strengthen your voice and help you use your voice as an instrument. You will learn songs in different styles and perform them. We will carefully go over various song styles and what you need to know about the style and the audience in order to sing and perform the song well. Together as a class we will discover and learntechnique, style, and performance.
The principle objective of this course is to improve your ability to give a vocal performance in a variety of styles. This includes sight singing and memorization as well as theory and technique. You will learn how to apply your knowledge to performances. This includes being able to recognize the value of other performances. You will learn to use your performance knowledge to make observations and form opinions. You will learn the types of skills required by various styles of music. You will be expected to practice on your own a minimum of 30 minutes per day. Each student will be expected to practice daily. It is incumbent upon the student to seek out help during my office hours, if help is needed. Each student will be expected to learn their music and if necessary, support others in the class by singing either background vocals or duet parts. Our class sessions will be broken up into five components. Participation, Technique/Warm up, sightsinging, tests/quizzes, and performance.
Materials and Miscellaneous: All students will be required to learn and perform an arts song/classical song during the first semester, either during a school performance or the music department showcase. Both of these events happen in November, and are on the same date at the same location. All students are also required to perform a solo vocal piece at the Singers Showcase in the spring.
Course Objectives: A few of the many Arizona State Standards for vocal music that will be included in this class are:
Student will be able to perform with expression and technical accuracy a large and varied ensemble repertoire, including songs performed from memory and without accompaniment
Student will be able to perform pieces of various styles with accuracy in regards to dynamics, phrasing, and technique.
Student will be able to recognize chord structures and the chords in standard harmonic progressions
Student will be able to identify chord progressions and chord qualities both visually and by ear.
Student will be able to read a score of up to four staves, in two or more clefs.
Student will be able to identify notation including note names and articulation.
Student will be able to identify chord structure from a four-part score
Student will be able to sight-read music accurately and expressively with level of difficulty 3 on a scale of 1-6
Student will understand rhythms, receive melodic training, understand voice production, music terminology, current music literature, and basic music theory.
IMPORTANT:Please note that throughout the year you will be provided with copies of sheet music and scores. It is your responsibility to keep track of these materials and to bring them with you to class everyday.
Major Assignments / Assessments:
Rehearsals and Performances will account for 40% of your final grade, as this is a performance-focused class. If you are tardy or do not show up for a performance, you will receive a “0.”
Memorization will account for 20% of your grade. This means that you will have dialogue and lyrics memorized for appropriate dates. If you do not demonstrate adequate memorization, you will be required to maintain a “Memorization Log”. This log will be due daily during times of performance preparation and must reflect accurate and honest records of time spent memorizing and include a parent signature for each entry.
In this course, you must attend class and participate daily. Attendance and participation account for 10% of your grade.
Homework, in class assignments, and quizzes account for 15% of your grade.
Quarterly projects & major papers also account for 15% of your grade.
Finally, at the end of the first and second semester, you will have a final exam, which will include a written essay component. These exams are a school wide policy and they are cumulative.
Social Contract: Each student and parent will sign the attached social contract acknowledging that they understand and will adhere to course policies included in the syllabus, the Student Handbook, the Non-discrimination policy outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and the Parent/Student/School compact which is in the enrollment packets.
Students with Special Needs: Students with special needs will receive appropriate accommodations.
Benchmark & State Testing Dates: Please see the school calendar for dates.
Film Sensitivity: On occasion, a film may be shown in class that has a rating of PG-13 or R. A parent/guardian signature on the Social Contract grants your student permission to view these films. If you wish for your students to be exempt from viewing, please make a note on the Social Contract. Students who do not watch the film will be given an alternative assignment.
Tactile Teaching: Vocal Performance is a physical art. From time to time, the teacher may physically position a student.
Field Trips: Students will occasionally offered the opportunity to take part in field trips. Parent & Students will be notified of these field trips at least three weeks in advance and will be required to return a signed Field Trip Permission Slip two weeks prior to the trip in order to be permitted to partake. Students who choose not to participate in the field trip must still attend school and will be given an alternative assignment to complete.
Course Policies: (Be sure to review the student handbook and student code of conduct for additional details and specifics. All school policies and rules apply in this course.)
Attendance, Tardy & Participation Policy
Every class, you may receive up to ten points for attending and fully participating. You will receive either ten points or zero points. You will receive full credit if you are respectful, do the work at hand, and stay on task. You will receive zero points for being disrespectful, not doing the work at hand, and/or for goofing off.
Tardy is considered arriving anytime after class starts. If you are tardy for any reason, your participation grade for the day automatically drops to five points. You may still receive a zero for the day for any of the reasons listed above. Three tardies will result in further disciplinary action.
If you would like to make up participation points you missed for an excused absence, please see me, or contact me, and we will discuss options. Participation points must be made up within three class periods of the excused absence.
If you plan to miss class on a day that we are rehearsing for an upcoming performance, you must notify Mrs. Abbruscato by email beforehand.
Bathroom/Hall Pass Policy
Only one student may be excused to use the restroom at a time.
Students must leave their cell phones in the plastic pocket organizer which is hung on the back of the green room door before they are excused to use the restroom or deal with business.
Students should limit their restroom break to 5 minutes. Any student who leaves the room for an extended amount of time on multiple occasions without a valid excuse may face consequences or limited privileges.
Missed Assignments
If you miss an assignment due to an excusedabsence, you may make up the assignment for up to full credit. If you have missed a class, please see me at the beginning of your next class period so we may discuss a plan of action.
Please make every effort to attend on days we have in class performances. Group members are depending on you and it puts the class behind if we have to do the performance on another day.
If you miss an in class performance with an unexcusedabsence, you will receive a “0” for that performance.
Late Assignments
Late Assignments will drop 10% points per day that the assignments is late for a total of 5 days, after which the student will earn a failing grade for the assignment. For instance, if you would have earned a 96% on an assignment, but turned it in two days late, you will receive a 76%.
Class Conduct
In this class, we will work the entire semester on creating an ensemble. Ensemble: A group of individuals, using their individual strengths and working together cooperatively and responsibly, for the betterment of a group, wherein the group becomes just as important as the individual. Our ensemble’s goal is to respect one another and use our strengths to create the best theatrical work we can make.
Please be respectful to yourself, others, the teacher, the space, and the work that we are creating. Theatre/Drama is a creative art form, and we will not succeed in the creation of it, unless we can all collaborate, cooperate, and be committed to what we are creating.
You will be expected to maintain a positive attitude and to actively participate in all activities.
Encourage one another. We will work to maintain a “safe place” to explore and play.
You are expected to keep your belongings against the wall and out of our performance space for the safety of all students and faculty.
Students will not be dismissed from class until the room is restored to the state in which they found it. All chairs must be stacked before students will be excused.
No food or drink is allowed in the classroom or the theatre. However, you may have a bottle filled with water.
You should be dressed comfortably and able to move. Revealing clothing (for either gender) will not be tolerated. If I feel what you are wearing is inappropriate, I will not hesitate to send you to Dean Cardenas for further action.
Hats, sunglasses, or any articles of clothing that constrict or prevent movement are prohibited in class.
Gum is not permitted in the classroom or in the theatre.
Cell phones may not be used in class. If I see you using your cell phone or if it rings/vibrates and disrupts the class, I will confiscate it for the remainder of the class period. If there are repeated offenses, further disciplinary action may be taken.
Any student who released to work in the Gallery or any areas outside of the classroom must leave their cell phone in the plastic pocket organizer hung on the back of the Green Room door.
This is a profanity free classroom. For all infractions, the student will be sent to the front office.
Be prepared.Please come to class will all of your materials. If students come to class without necessary materials, they will lose your participation points for the day.
You must attend a full day of school on rehearsal and performance days. If you miss any part of the day, you will not be able to rehearse or perform and your grade will suffer accordingly. Rehearsal and performance is a large part of this class and it is imperative that you attend all of your classes, so that you are able to perform as scheduled.
Behavioral Consequences
For all minor infractions, the student will be given up to two verbal warnings. Upon the third offense, they will be sent to the front office.
For all major infractions, the student will immediately be sent to the front office.
Academic Honesty
Academic dishonesty of any sort, including but not limited to cheating and plagiarism, is not acceptable in this course. If you use a source in any of your assignments, please make sure to cite them (MLA).
Consequences may range from failure for the individual assignment to failure of the entire course.
Peer Review/ Feedback
Constructive criticism feeds growth as a performer. As such, after performances we will all participate in a feedback session where students are encouraged to offer both positive notes & constructive criticism.
I ask that you be open to your fellow students and take their constructive criticism as suggestions and in the spirit that it is meant.
In the same regard, it’s crucial to celebrate good work amongst your peers. If you think someone has done something awesome, let them know!
Remind
We will be using the Remind App for text messages in this class. Both parents and students will receive reminders for homework, assignment due dates, and tests or quizzes. Students or parents who do not want to participate must sign a waiver that they will not be participating in the Remind program. The Remind App is free and only requires a cell phone number. The remind App will replace the weekly email reminders that we have used in prior years.
Benchmark and AzMerit Testing
All Students will take Benchmark Tests in all NSAA courses: August 13-14, December 13 & 14, and May 16-17 and the AZMerit Exam (with the exception of seniors) sometime in April 2019. Part of the Benchmark Exam may be included in Semester Final Exams. Students must attend these days and will lose participation point for any absences. Test data is instrumental in being able to refine course work and effectively plan for the future. Take note: This test data is often used for college entrance and scholarships; students should take the exams seriously and perform to their best ability.
Grading by Quarter: 40% - Rehearsals and Performances 20% - Memorization/Off Book, Memorization Log 15% - Homework, Journal, In Class Assignments and Quizzes 15% - Quarterly Project 10% - Attendance and Participation The grades are classified as an A, B, C, D, or F, based on 90-100%, 80-89%, 70-79%, 60-69%, and 59% or below respectively.
Honors/Gifted Option In any NSAA course, students may elect to pursue an Honors option. Should you chose to select this option we will work out a plan which will be typed in the form of a contract, and will contain clear, detailed requirements for the student to accomplish. Honors options will be self-directed, teacher-supported, and will require outside research and pursuit of a subject beyond the scope of what is presented in the regular curriculum. Each individual student will help decide what elements of our subject they wish to pursue, but it is up to Mrs. Abbruscato to set specific requirements. If you would like to pursue an Honors Option in this class, please speak with Mrs. Abbruscato.
IMPORTANT DATES! MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Rehearsal and Performance Dates: All students are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances. If you miss rehearsals or performances, you will lose those points and your grade will suffer accordingly. Please remember the idea of an ensemble and that you are part of one—the rest of the ensemble is counting on you.
NSAA Open House: Aug 15, 4-7pm
Singsation! Most rehearsals will be conducted in class. Tech Rehearsal: Wed, Nov 13 4-7pm Performances: Thursday Nov 14, 5pm Call, 6pm Show, Friday Nov 15, 6pm Call, 7pm Show
Singsation 2! Most rehearsals will be conducted in class. Tech Rehearsal: Wednesday April 1, 1-4pm Performances: Thursday April 2 5pm call, 6pm show, Friday April 3, 6pm call, 7pm Show
Requirements for All Performing Arts Students
· All students who are currently enrolled in a performance class MUST attend the meeting on TBD with their parent or guardian. The meeting will be held in the NSAA theatre. · All students who are currently enrolled in a performing arts class will be required to attend all rehearsals and performances for that class. Final grades and performance grades are given and are crucial to being successful in any performing arts class. · Rehearsals and performance schedules are given on the syllabus for the class at the beginning of the year. Any conflicts or concerns must be voiced by the last school day. · Students must attend all rehearsals. Tardiness to a show will result in a deduction of points or possibly being pulled from the show and not allowed to perform. · Any student not allowed to perform for any reason, including academic probation, will still be REQUIRED to attend all performances and assist the Director as needed. · Any absence from a rehearsal or a show due to illness must be accompanied by a doctor’s note. · Any student who is absent on the day of a performance will not be allowed to perform, but still must attend the performance (as stated earlier). · Any student who is disruptive or disrespectful during performances or rehearsals may be asked to leave, and might risk being pulled from the performance, but again they would still be required to attend. · Any student on academic probation may NOT perform. · Any student who is not dressed properly on stage will receive a deduction in points for their grade and could possibly be pulled from the show. · Students and parents are responsible for checking the online calendar (www.aznsaa.com) for rehearsal and performance times. · Appropriate dress for performances will be up to each individual instructor and will depend on the needs of the class. o Any financial concerns need to be discussed privately with the instructor during office hours.
Acknowledgement of Policies and Receipt of Syllabus
I, ______________________________, have read, understood, and agree to provide the necessary support so that my son/daughter achieves and meets all the expectations of this course.
*If I need to make contact, I will only do so between the hours of 8am and 8pm
NSAA CELL PHONE POLICY
Cell Phone Policy
NSAA will institute a school-wide cell phone policy for the 2019-220 year. All cell phones will be collectd in a phone cady or cell phone center at the beinning of each class. Students will have full access to their phones before and after shool, at lunch, and during class passing perios. Phones will not be accessible during bathroom breaks. Limited cell phone usage in class will be allowed per teacher discretion for instructional prposes. Teachers and administrators will have complete discretion to deal with cell phone emergencies on a case by case basis.
Please initial below to indicate your understanding of this policy.