Olympian

High School
Where Champions are Made

Course Syllabus

Choir
Choir Syllabus, Olympian High School

Choir Syllabus, Olympian High School

Instructor

Jennifer Opdahl

Phone

(619) 656-2439 (choir office-no voicemail)

Room

924

E-mail

jennifer.opdahl@sweetwaterschools.org

Course Rationale:
The California State University and University of California systems A - G admissions requirements state that one year of Fine
Arts is required. These admissions requirements are also the new graduation requirements for the Sweetwater Union High
School District, beginning with graduation year 2016. The SUHSD, in support of the arts programs, and in understanding of the
additional benefits given students who participate in the arts, recommends a continued study of one particular fine art throughout
the course of high school.
Recommended Prerequisites:
Choir, although for all students, will require either some previous musical knowledge, or a desire to learn the skills of reading
music. This is not a course for those with no other option. This class is for people who WANT to sing.
Course Description:
Students in the Olympian High School Choral Program will enjoy the benefits of exposure to a variety of musical literature and
styles. Students will study and perform music from many major periods of music history as well as music representative of the
most current choral music offerings published today. In addition, singers may be offered opportunities to advance their musical
talents through such activities as small groups, guest clinicians, honor group auditions, solo and ensemble festivals, and choir
competitions, festivals, and trips.
Instructional Methods:
We will use an approved district music reading text for choir entitled Essential Sight-singing. A variety of additional teaching
methods and styles will be utilized in our classroom. This includes such techniques as direct instruction, sectional practice,
individual practice, on the spot testing, formal testing on the music, cooperative learning environments, etc. Additional
technology resources will be used online and through tablet-based music apps.
General Course Goals:
The Olympian High School Choral Program offers every student many opportunities to deepen his/her musical appreciation
through the study of music reading, music theory, music history, and participation in a variety of performance opportunities. In
addition, opportunities are provided for students to be exposed as audience members to a variety of musical settings. Students
should leave this program with skills to participate (at least at an amateur level) in choral music in the community.
Objectives for Students:
Until the Common Core standards are adopted for music performance, our program will continue to emphasize the California
State Standards 5 component strands: 1) Artistic Perception, 2) Creative Expression, 3) Historical and Cultural Context, 4)
Aesthetic Valuing, 5) Connections, Relationships, Applications.
Music is fun, but there is no fun in mediocrity. To ensure the success of the group, each student, parent and director must
realize his/her responsibilities. Each must be willing to sacrifice individual desires for the betterment of the choir.
The amount of satisfaction and fun you receive from choir will be no greater than the amount of hard work and enthusiasm you
are willing to consistently contribute. Your attitude will have a direct impact on your achievements.
We will strive to ensure proper conduct, consideration and courtesy as a vital part of participation in the choir.
Promptness:
Being on time to events and rehearsals is an important life skill for all young people to learn. Students arriving late can be
disruptive and cause much distraction from the focus of the rehearsal. Being at concerts and performances on time is of course a
normal expectation. Your promptness will be reflected in your grade for the course.

Class Participation:

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Student Initial _______

Students choosing to be members of the Olympian High School Choral Program must recognize that by electing to join choir,
they have declared a willingness to work on their singing and music skills. Otherwise, there isn't a reason to be in choir!
Participating in class is an assumed prerequisite of membership. A large portion of the student grade for the course will be based
upon the student's active and positive participation in class, which should reflect the professional best practices of career
musicians. The success of the choir depends upon the concentrated and focused efforts of all its members.
Uniforms:
All performers will need a teal polo shirt. An optional official choir polo with the school logo will be offered through the
program at an approximate cost of $30. Students can opt to purchase this shirt or fundraise for it. These polo shirts will be used
throughout the year for less formal performances, such as school assemblies, and on off-site trips, to be worn after performances.
Advanced Choir concert attire will be black and gold gowns, which will be provided through the program, and black tuxedos
with gold accents. Beginning Choir performers will be issued choir robes. Men will also wear black dress pants, black socks, and
black dress shoes under the robes. Women will wear black long pants or long skirt with black socks or tights and black dress
shoes. Wearing appropriate clothing is an example of a best practice in choral performance.
Attendance Policy:
1. Attendance at all choir events is mandatory for full class credit unless otherwise stated.
2. In the event a student must be absent from a rehearsal or performance, the director must be notified in writing prior to the
event. Except for emergencies or circumstances beyond the students control, a week or more advance notice is expected. The
director will determine whether the absence can be excused. Last minute emergencies, such as illness, death in the family, and
some other unexpected situations will be excused, provided the student brings a note from the parents (with a contact phone
number) to the instructor upon their return to the class. Birthdays do NOT constitute an excuse for missing an event.
3. Absences will be considered unexcused if no written communication is received, and a zero will be recorded for that
performance.
4. Students who are in athletic clubs or other extra-curricular activities can balance their activities with careful planning and
communication, but should not assume that an absence is excused. Communication is a critical component of managing schedule
conflicts.
5. Work cannot interfere with scheduled rehearsals or performances. Work is not an excused absence from any event and is not
an excuse to leave an event early or arrive late.
6. An absence, either excused or unexcused, may result in suspension from a performance if the director determines it is in the
choirs best interest.
7. In the rare event that a makeup is constituted for an excused absence, be advised that there is no authentic makeup for
performances. In these cases, students will be required to perform their music for evaluation by the teacher, which will generally
result in a lower grade due to the individual nature of the evaluation. Students are urged to attend the scheduled performances in
order to get a high grade in the course.
Grading Policy:
The Scholarship grades are determined by points given for each assignment (including practices, tests, performances, etc.). The
grades will be based on the percentage ratio of earned points to the points possible. The cutoffs are as follows: 90% A-, 80% B-,
70% C-, 60% D-, and anything below 60% is an F. Citizenship grades are determined by behavior, attendance, participation, and
cooperation. The following information is used to help determine grades.
Rehearsal Best Practices:
Daily student participation is critical to the success of the choir program. Students may be asked to attend additional rehearsals as
they become necessary during the school year. In order to receive participation credits, each student must participate fully during
each class period. Bring your assigned music and a pencil to each class period. Never leave your music or other materials at
home, as this will interrupt your participation ability. Students can earn 5 rehearsal points daily for displaying best practices for
the music profession. In order to earn all the points for the days activities, students must be present (on time), have their music,
pencil, and other materials with them, and display appropriate posture, technique, and understanding of the routines and practices
that are normal in a choir ensemble.
Communication Best Practices:
Students at Olympian are preparing for success in college or career. As students leave middle school and progress through high
school, there should also be a progressive development in managing ones own schedule, taking responsibility for commitments,
and communicating with the individuals to whom those commitments are made. To that end, it is not the teachers responsibility
to communicate with coaches, parents, other teachers, and administrators about individual students schedules. While an effort is

Guardian Initial _______

Student Initial _______

made to share information with all stakeholders and keep scheduling information posted and current, ultimately the responsibility
lies with the student to plan for transportation and work out conflicts. There is an intentional shift of responsibility, which
prepares the student for life outside high school. This also reflects the schedule management that is required of musicians in their
field.
Attitude:
Student attitude is equally important to the success of the choir program. Students are expected to bring a positive attitude to each
rehearsal. Regardless of their musical ability, each student can make a decision each day about having a positive or a negative
attitude toward not only choir class but also life in general. Negative, self destructive attitudes are not desirable traits in our choir
classes. Our goal is to carry a positive attitude into everything we attempt! Attitude problems will be reflected in Citizenship
grades.
Written or Singing Tests:
Tests on rhythmic and melodic dictation will be given periodically, along with regular sight reading evaluations. In addition,
singing assessments on knowledge of their choral literature will take place daily in group rehearsal as well as through individual
testing during each grading period.
Performances:
This is by definition a performance class, which requires time outside the class occasionally for rehearsals and performances.
Students will be given numerous performance opportunities during the school year both on and off campus. Any known conflict
must be cleared with the director in advance. In the event that a student misses a performance due to a family emergency or
illness, a note must be given to the director as soon as the student returns to school. Failure to do so may result in reduced or no
credit for that assignment.
Mastery Model
College Preparation ~ Habits of Mind and Academic Literacy Plan
In conjunction with the California State Standards of this course, an emphasis will be placed on developing college readiness.
This will be accomplished by promoting the following Habits of Mind for success in college-level course work: 1) building
intellectual perseverance, the persistent pursuit of knowledge, by promoting the value of a strong work ethic and cultivating
sustained effort through repeated practice, 2) developing metacognition by encouraging thinking about the quality of ones own
and others thought processes, practicing intellectual humility, and becoming comfortable with the discomfort of ambiguity, and
3) creating intellectual curiosity by fostering a desire to know and requiring inquiry, investigation, and rigorous engagement.
Our High School has adopted a school-wide learning plan for college readiness skills that are used to teach all course objectives.
Students will be developing the skills found in the school's Academic Literacy Plan as follows: 1) description, give parameters
which define something (what it looks, feels, or sounds like); 2) summary, extract important ideas from a given source; 3)
relate/apply, use learned concepts and principles in new situations; 4) analysis, break down material into component parts; 5)
synthesis, put parts together to form a new whole; 6) evaluation, judge the value of material for a given purpose.
Student Suggested Materials:

Small composition book for journal entries and note-taking on vocabulary. Any small composition book will be
sufficient. Please, no loose papers.

Pencils (NOT pens)

Music folder (supplied in class; lost materials must be paid for by the student)

Method book and printed music (supplied in class; lost materials must be paid for by the student)
Students should be aware of their Academic Expectations:
Students will actively participate in their learning: participate in warm-ups, all playing activities, study for
quizzes/tests, participate in class discussions, make connections beyond the classroom, and practice at home.
Students should understand that singing is a crucial aspect of choir. Therefore, they will participate fully each day of
class, and cooperate with the instructors rules and policies.
Students should be aware of their Behavioral Expectations:
They will be a positive, contributing member of this class by being respectful, responsible and considerate.
They will make it a priority to always sing to the best of their abilities, keeping in mind the idea that choir is a team
effort, and not about individuals.
They know: I am responsible for my own behavior and I am to be held accountable for my own actions.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT PAGE
After reading the class syllabus, please initial the bottom of each previous page and sign this page and
return to the teacher to acknowledge that you have received and read the document in full. The student
and at least one parent or guardian must sign before returning. Please return this signed form within a week
of the first day of class. Keep the syllabus for your reference during the school year.
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and I understand the expectations and policies of the
Olympian High School Choir Program. It is my intent to follow the procedures to meet class expectations to
the best of my ability in order to fully support the team.

_________________________________________
(signature of student participant)

______________
(date)

_________________________________________
(signature of parent or guardian)

______________
(date)

Guardian Initial _______

Student Initial _______