Vocal Music Curriculum

Chorus

  • Course Number: 3531B1M
  • Grade Level: 9

CHORUS is designed to introduce young singers with varying degrees of musical background to the choral experience.  Vocal development, basic theory, site reading, and introduction to music history is taught. Students are required to perform in two concerts and to purchase the appropriate uniform for these performances. After school practices may be called when necessary. After school and weekend hours devoted to the GHS Fine Arts Department are required.

Chorale

  • Course Number: 323531
  • Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisites: Chorus and instructor’s permission
  • Credits: 1 (one)

CHORALE provides a continuation of musical growth while offering a “large-group” experience to the student. The repertoire is selected from a variety of representative composers of each historical period. Traditional and contemporary composers are utilized. Students are required to perform in two concerts and, additionally, sing at community events throughout the Mid-South area. They are also required to purchase the appropriate uniform for these performances.  After-school practices are decided according to need.

Chamber Singers/Chamber Singers Honors

  • Course Number: 393531/243531
  • Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisites: Instructor’s permission and audition
  • Credits: 1 (one)

CHAMBER SINGERS, for students with advanced vocal skills or unique talents, affords participation in a “small group” experience. Music selected for this group is generally chamber-type. Students are required to audition for All-West/All-State as well as participate in all festivals, competitions and concerts throughout the year. After school rehearsals are decided according to need. Students are required to purchase formal attire for the performances of this group.

Women's Choir III

  • Course Number: 903531/703531
  • Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisites: Chorus and/or instructor’s permission
  • Credits: 1 (one)

WOMEN’S CHOIR is an advanced performance group structured along the same lines as the Chorale. This group specializes in literature for women’s voices. Students are required to perform in two concerts a year and to purchase the appropriate uniform for these performances. After school rehearsals are decided according to need.

IB Music Theory SL/HL

  • Course Number:  813454
  • Grade Level: 11 or 12

The aims of the IB music program are to:

  • Give students the opportunity to explore and enjoy the diversity of music throughout the world.
  • To encourage students to develop perceptual skills through a breadth of musical experiences.
  • To enable student to creatively develop their knowledge, abilities and understanding through performance and composition.
  • To assist students to develop their potential as musicians both personally and collaboratively.

Music SL students will be expected to demonstrate:

  • Use of appropriate musical language and terminology to describe and reflect their critical understanding of music
  • Development of perceptual skills in response to music
  • Knowledge and understanding of music in relation to time and place

They must also demonstrate the development of their

  • Performance skills through solo or ensemble music making

      OR

  • Compositional skills through exploration and investigation of musical elements

Standard Level music students must choose between:

Solo Performance Option—designed for the student who has a background in musical performance, requires one or more solo recitals

Group Performance Option—designed for students with a general interest in music, requires two or more public group performances

Composition Option—designed for the student who has a background in musical composition, requires two

contrasting compositions

Music HL students will be expected to demonstrate:

  • Development of their performance skills through solo music making.
  • Development of their compositional skills through exploration and investigation of musical elements.
  • Use of appropriate musical language and terminology to describe and reflect their critical understanding of music.
  • Development of perceptual skills in response to music.
  • Knowledge and understanding of music in relation to time and place.

Higher Level music is designed for the music specialist who may pursuer music at the university or conservatory level. It requires one or more solo recitals AND three contrasting musical compositions. Students enrolled in senior level IB Music are required to take the IB exam.