MUP 177 Chamber Singers

Lab Hours: 3
Credits: 1

Offers singing at an advanced level in a mixed-voice (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) choir. Includes the continued development of proper singing habits, basic musical terms and expressions, rehearsal techniques and procedures, and exposure to a wide variety of music literature, culminating in a final performance.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Repeatable: Students may repeat this course for a maximum of 9 credits.
Recommended: Previous experience singing with a school, community, or church choir.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Understand and use proper ensemble singing habits, including correct breathing and posture.
Use well-developed vocal tone production.
Use proficiency in reading, singing, and performing selected pieces.
Recognize and identify elements of music by sound and from notation.
Interpret the texts of the music being studied.
Apply knowledge of musical styles and periods to the music.
Use techniques and resources to prepare assigned music for performance.
Perform a number of songs in concert.

Content Outline
Due to the nature of the course, most of the class periods will be spent in rehearsal time. Generally, the daily and weekly focus will be on:

Choral Ensemble Singing
- Personal assessment of voices
- Assignment of voice parts
- Further development of proper vocal tone production
  - Correct breathing techniques
  - Correct posture for singing
  - Proper tone production techniques
- Ensemble vocal warmups and exercises
Fundamentals of Musical Reading and Theory
- Music notation
- Music terms and symbols
- Application of terms and symbols in rehearsals
- Music theory and its application to the music being learned
Introduction of Selected Music
- Demonstration and overview of pieces
- Historic background and information
- Study of text, including translations, if needed
  - Diction
- Rehearsal of music
  - In sectionals
  - As an ensemble
Musicality and Performance
- Introduction to general musical periods and styles
- Memorization of music being studied
- Selection of soloists, special groups
- Interpretation of the music with the knowledge and skills gained
- Advanced performance techniques