CHORAL ENSEMBLE DESCRIPTIONS
Varsity Choir Varsity Choir is an ensemble for tenor and bass singers in grades 8-12. This choir allows students with lower voices to work through their voice changes in a non-judgmental atmosphere and allows them to sing music more suited to their vocal needs and personal preferences. In Viking Voices, students learn how to develop a vibrant and healthy choral tone, and will perform a variety of music throughout the year including classical, jazz, madrigals, multicultural music, pop, and musical theatre. Students will be expected to become proficient in music theory, sight-singing, and ear training. Vocal production, musical expression, and developing leadership is also stressed throughout this course. Viking Voices performs at several concerts throughout the year, and will sing in MSVMA Choral Festival. Valkyrie Valkyrie is an ensemble for treble voices of about 60 treble singers from grades 9-12. In this ensemble, students are able sing repertoire composed specifically for female voices, and students learn to sing in more harmony parts than possible in an SATB choir. In Valkyrie, students learn how to develop a vibrant and healthy choral tone, and will perform a variety of music throughout the year including classical, jazz, madrigals, multicultural music, pop, and musical theatre. Students will be expected to become proficient in music theory, sight-singing, and ear training. Vocal production, musical expression, and developing leadership is also stressed throughout this course. The Valkyrie performs at several concerts throughout the year, and will sing in MSVMA Choral Festival. Chamber Choir (Extra-curricular) The Dundee Chamber choir is a smaller combined ensemble with select members in grades 9-12. This class will challenge the more experienced choral students and provide them with additional group performance and solo opportunities. The chamber choir seeks to perform more throughout the community by caroling, singing at retirement homes, and singing for school events. The chamber choir is featured heavily in the annual Madrigal and students are also required to perform at Solo & Ensemble festival. 8th Grade Treble Choir Students in this treble (high-voiced) ensemble sing challenging music including classical, jazz, musical theatre, pop, and multicultural music. By isolating the treble voices, students are able to focus on cultivating a pure tone and a healthy singing voice. Our goals are to continue developing vocal skills, learn to sing harmony in tune, learn to sing expressively, work as a team, become critical listeners, and to develop a life-long love of music. Students in this class continue learning about music theory, history, and ear training in a student-centered and creative environment. Musical concepts learned in 8th grade choir are a continuation and enrichment of what is taught in 7th grade choir. However, first time singers are more than welcome to join 8th grade choir. 7th Grade Viking Voices 7th grade students learn a wide variety of music including classical, jazz, musical theatre, pop, and multicultural music. Boys and girls sing together in this "combined" ensemble. Our goals are to begin developing vocal skills, learn to sing harmony in tune, learn to sing expressively, work as a team, become critical listeners, and to develop a life-long love of music. Students in this class learn the fundamentals of music theory, history, and ear training in a student-centered and supportive environment. Honors Choir Honors Choir is an extracurricular choir that all DMS students (in grades 5-8) may audition for. Honors Choir has more performance opportunities including the annual Madrigal and sings more challenging music. Students in this selective group also perform at Solo & Ensemble each year. We WELCOME any unsure students to sit in our our rehearsals to see what it is like, or for any students to invite their friends to rehearsals. Students perform in concert along with the other middle school ensembles and 20 members from this choir are selected to perform at Solo & Ensemble Festival. 5th and 6th Grade General Music General Music is an exploratory class where students will create music, learn musical fundamentals, play instruments, and sing for nine weeks. The purpose of this class is to let students experience the joys of music and to gain an appreciation of music and singing. Many students start the class with low perceptions of music and singing, but leave absolutely loving it. Students learn a variety of music ranging from classical, jazz, musical theatre, and pop. In addition, 5th graders learn how to play "Boomwhackers," and 6th graders learn a piece on bucket drums. These classes are designed to be an introduction to singing, music theory, history, rhythm reading, and ear-training, and music appreciation. Our goals are to develop good vocal skills, learn to sing harmony in tune, learn to sing expressively, learn to work as a team, and develop a life-long love of music. These classes are perfect for students who may be unsure about music, or are interested in learning more! It's also great for building confidence and self-esteem. Students perform in one concert per trimester. |
Student Leadership
1. Class Representatives: (Two elected per class: One President, One Vice-President) Choral students are encouraged to select a student that exemplifies model character, both in and away from the choir classroom setting. This person should be a symbol of the choral program as a whole, as well as the general school climate. This outstanding student should portray an individual that students respect, as well as someone with strong leadership skills and an overall knowledge of the choral program. The class rep is in charge of greeting students as they enter the classroom, helping struggling students, and helping plan activities. The class reps should help the other officers with their tasks and help keep the choir room neat and orderly. They also assist any substitutes in Mrs. Sulisz's absence to ensure that class runs smoothly.
2. Section Leaders: (One per vocal section) Section leaders are musically advanced students who can help others who are struggling in their section. They may also be asked to sing alone or in a small demonstration group, or help lead sectional rehearsals.
3. Secretary: (One or two per class): The secretary is responsible for taking daily attendance, concert attendance, and record keeping. The secretary will also assist the other officers where help is needed in regards to other tasks.
4. Programs/Publicity: (One per class) This is a creative position that entails helping design and type out concert programs as well as designing posters and signs to help publicize the choir. This person also is in charge of updating and maintaining our bulletin boards, and promoting the choir. This person is also asked to take pictures of the choir periodically (especially at choral events).
5. Uniforms: (One or two per class) These organized choir members help with uniform fitting, numbering, and distribution.
6. Technology: (One per class) This is a position for our technologically savvy students. It consists of updating the choir website with pictures and information, and also compiling a video slide show for our year-end banquet. Our technology students must also take pictures of our students of the month for our website and bulletin board.
7. Librarian: (One per class) The librarian is in charge of organizing and signing out choral music. They are asked to spend a day after school numbering music before it can be handed out.
8. Greeter: (Once per class) Greeters must be able to arrive a minute or two early for class. Their job is to stand by the door and greet other students as they enter. It's important that all students feel welcomed to class so they know they are valuable members of our ensembles.
1. Class Representatives: (Two elected per class: One President, One Vice-President) Choral students are encouraged to select a student that exemplifies model character, both in and away from the choir classroom setting. This person should be a symbol of the choral program as a whole, as well as the general school climate. This outstanding student should portray an individual that students respect, as well as someone with strong leadership skills and an overall knowledge of the choral program. The class rep is in charge of greeting students as they enter the classroom, helping struggling students, and helping plan activities. The class reps should help the other officers with their tasks and help keep the choir room neat and orderly. They also assist any substitutes in Mrs. Sulisz's absence to ensure that class runs smoothly.
2. Section Leaders: (One per vocal section) Section leaders are musically advanced students who can help others who are struggling in their section. They may also be asked to sing alone or in a small demonstration group, or help lead sectional rehearsals.
3. Secretary: (One or two per class): The secretary is responsible for taking daily attendance, concert attendance, and record keeping. The secretary will also assist the other officers where help is needed in regards to other tasks.
4. Programs/Publicity: (One per class) This is a creative position that entails helping design and type out concert programs as well as designing posters and signs to help publicize the choir. This person also is in charge of updating and maintaining our bulletin boards, and promoting the choir. This person is also asked to take pictures of the choir periodically (especially at choral events).
5. Uniforms: (One or two per class) These organized choir members help with uniform fitting, numbering, and distribution.
6. Technology: (One per class) This is a position for our technologically savvy students. It consists of updating the choir website with pictures and information, and also compiling a video slide show for our year-end banquet. Our technology students must also take pictures of our students of the month for our website and bulletin board.
7. Librarian: (One per class) The librarian is in charge of organizing and signing out choral music. They are asked to spend a day after school numbering music before it can be handed out.
8. Greeter: (Once per class) Greeters must be able to arrive a minute or two early for class. Their job is to stand by the door and greet other students as they enter. It's important that all students feel welcomed to class so they know they are valuable members of our ensembles.