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My name is Dana Sewall and I am the choir director and musical
theatre director at the Northwest School. I also teach the
digital music class in the middle school. My
contact information can be found in the
directory, so please do not hesitate to contact me at any time!
Choir CourseSyllabus 2011-2012
206-682-7309 school / 206-816-6124 voice mail dana.sewall@northwestschool.org
Welcome to Choir Class! There is a tradition of music excellence here at the Northwest School and I feel honored and excited to be working with all kinds of students in the choir classes this year. My door/ear/voicemail/phone/email is always available, so please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, ideas, or suggestions throughout the school year.
Choral Music ObjectivesEducation: To develop interested and knowledgeable musicians, and to provide challenging exploration of music history, theory, creation, and performance. Literacy: To enhance choral music literacy thorough study of notation, text, world language, and expression while exposing students to a variety of choral music, performance techniques, and stylistic nuances. Culture: To promote understanding, respect, and acceptance of a variety of human histories, traditions, and rituals reflected in the music and text from diverse communities, styles, and eras. Service: To actively participate in the school community, share our performance abilities, and collaborate with colleagues and neighbors.
Class ExpectationsContribute to a respectful, positive, and collaborative choir environment. Use courtesy and common sense at all times in choir class. Take responsibility for your own class preparation, participation, and focus. Work toward becoming a more literate and expressive musical performer.
GradingAs a choir of individuals, we work toward a musically literate, technically proficient, and emotionally moving singing experience. Work toward these goals is categorized in three areas for the student choir grade: Participation 65% Written Work 15% Performances 20%
Participation: Each individual will be assessed regarding their personal growth as a musician and their contribution to the advancement of the ensemble in six areas: Preparation Cooperation Focus Musicality Effort Interaction
Written Work: Credit will be given for all completed written work, including journals, notation, music literacy, reflections, and other forms of written work. Most written work is completed during the regular choir rehearsal.
Performance: Each choir performs 0-1 times per quint. Rehearsals and performances are the culmination of our in-class work and credit will be given for all required concert rehearsals and concerts.
Extra-Credit: Credit is earned by a student during daily rehearsals, written work and concert performances. There may be rare and specific occasions when extra-credit may be offered toward the written work portion of the choir course grade.
Grading Scale: Please take note of this grading scale! It is different than most.
A 95-100% Consistently outstanding work and participation A- 92-95% Consistently excellent work and participation B+ 89-92% Strong overall work and participation B 86-89% Generally good work and participation B- 83-86% Satisfactory work and participation C+ 80-83% Fair work and participation C 77-80% Below average work and participation C- 74-77% Poor work and participation D+/D 65-74% Minimum fulfillment work and participation
Please take note of the participation evaluation chart on the back of this syllabus. It provides a clear framework for the ways a student can evaluate their own class work and participation. It is also used as an assessment tool by Dana Sewall during each grading period. Choir students should/will refer to this participation chart regularly to become familiar with the qualities and attributes that they should strive for as developing musicians.
AttendanceDue to the participatory nature of this choir class, attendance and participation are a very important part of our success as a choir. Punctual attendance to class is required, and attendance at concert rehearsals and performances is mandatory (unless written notification has been provided to Dana Sewall in advance for an emergency or illness).
TardiesIf a student is late to class unexcused (arriving after the class has begun without a teacher note), the student lose points on their participation grade. We use every minute of class time, so plan ahead and be on-time. We want you here in class!! Make-Up WorkStudents are responsible for contacting Dana Sewall concerning any missed work for a daily absence or excused performance absence. Please contact her immediately before or after class. It is the students’ job to check with Dana Sewall to avoid grade deductions.
Performance DatesOur winter concert is on Wednesday, December 14 at Town Hall. The upper school spring choir concert is Wednesday, March 28. The middle school spring concert is Tuesday, March 27. The ArtsFest Gala is Thursday, April 5 at Town Hall. The upper school year-end concert is Tuesday, May 29. The middle school year-end concert is Thursday, June 7. All concerts begin at 7:00 pm. The TBA locations and other details will be provided as the performance date approaches. Please put these dates on your calendar today! All choir students will be required to perform at these concerts (if enrolled in choir that quint) along with all other Northwest School music performance groups. Concert AttireThe general attire for our choir concerts is Dressy, Black and White. It is our goal to keep costs to a bare minimum regarding performance attire, so the same attire can be used for all performances. Students can choose their own dressy black and white clothes to wear. No tennis shoes, jeans, or shirts that have logos please. Please do not hesitate to contact me! I look forward to singing with all of you in choir class!
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