MUS A120: College Choir

Course Outline of Record
Item	Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	12/08/2021
Top Code	100400 - Music
Units	1 Total Units
Hours	54 Total Hours (Lab Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours	0
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	Yes
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	Yes; Repeat Limit 3
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S)
Associate Arts Local General Education (GE)	OC Active Participation - AA (OC2)
Associate Science Local General Education (GE)	OCC Arts - AS (OSC1)

Course Description

Open to all students interested in singing in a college choir. In addition to public performances of standard choral literature, this course includes basic vocal techniques, basic music theory, improvement of sight reading, musicianship skills, music fundamentals, and music history and appreciation as it relates to choral literature. This course may be taken four times. Prerequisite training is not necessary. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: MUS 185.C-ID: MUS 185.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

Identify and diagnose technical challenges in choral literature relating to pitch, vocal production and language and interpretation.
Perform a public concert as a member of the ensemble.
Evaluate their musical experience in a concert.

Course Objectives

1. Demonstrate the ability to perform choral music.
2. Gain appreciation of choral literature through performance and attendance at vocal concert.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of music history in terms of music of the renaissance classical, romantic, and 20th century.
4. Demonstrate fundamental musicianship skills (note reading, rhythm, sight-singing, etc.).
5. Sing in a group by following a conductor.
6. Demonstrate basic vocal skills and techniques.
7. Develop, through participation, group confidence and performance skills.

Lecture Content

Historical knowledge on class literature Introduce and expand musical vocabulary, interpretation, sight singing skills, and note reading Introduce group singing and following a conductor Develop choral tone Basic vocal techniques consisting of “open-throated” singing using abdominal muscles, diaphragm and trapezium muscles to provide proper breath support Listening to other group members and work to blend tone and support Developing diction skills as a group Developing correct vowel sounds as a grou Performance and singing of traditional four-part choral literature (consisting of music from any or all of the following periods: renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic, and 20th century) Components of fundamental music reading Basic rhythmic patterns Following a conductor Music symbols and abbreviations Developing relative pitch by understanding four-part harmony and listening within the group Developing historical knowledge related to choral literature (consisting of music from any or all of the following periods: renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic, and 20th century) Basic historical differences between periods Performance practices of different periods Developing choral tone consistent with different periods No vibrato for early music Use of rabato in romantic music Baroque ornamentation Different uses of dynamics Different use of sound in 20th Century music, etc. Concert discipline, etiquette, performance skills, and appreciation Acceptable, audience-pleasing practices of walking on and off stage Incorporate group bows Proper use of choral folder Conductor beat patterns and gestures, and follow Presentation and visual unity of group Developing note-reading, sight-reading, and fundamental musicianship through sight-singing examination Learning pitches in range of voice Basic rhythmic patterns Chordal harmony appropriate to literature Demonstrate through examination, proficiency of vocal part Musicianship skills through sight-reading literature Listening assignments to develop appreciation of choral literature Listen to choral literature outside of class Listen to different kinds of choral and vocal literature Developing appreciation of choral literature through attendance at one live vocal concert; write a concert report Demonstrate understanding of terminology, symbols, and musicianship through proper use of musical language in concert report

Lab Content

See Course Content.

Method(s) of Instruction

Lab (04)

Instructional Techniques

Lecture and demonstration, discussion Individual, paired, and small group work Instructor feedback Video viewing

Reading Assignments

Writing Assignments

Written critique on live choral performance, performance of choral literature vocal techniques, and musicianship skills

Out-of-class Assignments

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Class participation and attendance, class performance of course literature, and attendance at a vocal concert, typed concert report

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration