Voicestra Choir (Period 5) Assignments
- Instructors
- Term
- 2016-2017 School Year
- Department
- Electives
- Description
-
Welcome to Voicestra 7th/8th Grade Choir!
Voicestra Choir is a performance class for students who have already sung in CCMS choir for at least one year. Students continue to further their knowledge and skills in proper vocal technique, unison and two, three, and four-part singing, music reading, notation, terminology, ear training, critical analysis, and music history. Students experience a varied repertoire in music in different languages, cultures, and stylistic periods. Voicestra students perform in three school concerts a year, and also sing in an outreach concert and a festival competition each spring.
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Upcoming Assignments
No upcoming assignments.
Past Assignments
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Attached you will find the instructions for your composition of a new song, on the program "Flat.io." Have fun!
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8th grade Voicestra students, please complete the following survey before next Tuesday (7th graders, we will do it in class):
Thanks!
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7th grade Voicestra members, be sure to check your email to fill out the survey sent out today. Thanks again in advance for your support!
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Please practice "The Bells" with Mr. Brennan's practice tracks (posted below) for our rehearsal on Thursday, May 18th. This piece will need to be memorized by Monday, 5/22.
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If you are performing on Saturday, May 6th, at The Culver Studios for "Tribute to the Stars," please bring back your *signed permission slip* (handed out during class on Tuesday, 5/2) before Thursday, May 4th. Thanks so much in advance!
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Attached you will find your next S.M.A.R.T. goal that you will create before our upcoming spring concert. Please "stretch" yourself for your goal this time--think of something that you want to reach for musically and as a performer, whether it is supporting your high notes, memorizing dynamics, blending with your section, being a leader or a supportive role with solfege, or changing your facial expressions as you prepare for the concert. Make sure your goal is Specific, Measurable, Action-based, Realistic and Timely! Also be sure to fill out the weekly self-evaluation, which may inform your S.M.A.R.T. goal choice.
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Your spring solfege quiz will start on Monday, May 1st. Attached you will find the directions for the quiz, as well as two solfege examples to practice (4.20 and 2.20). The key of the quiz is the same (Eb). Please practice both solfege examples, for both levels of the quiz. The evaluation rubric is also included so you know how you will be graded. Good luck!
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Please memorize all of "Sing!" by Monday, 5/1 (if you are singing it on 5/6) and by Tuesday, 5/2 (if you are singing it at our May concert.) Attached are two tracks: one with vocals, and one with instrumentals only. Please practice with both tracks to be ready!
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Please memorize measures 1-40 of "Sing," by Pentatonix, before Thursday, complete with body percussion. Have fun!
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Please watch the following 5-minute video synopsis of "Tosca" that we started in class today:
Also, please watch the 3-minute video on the L.A. Opera website and look at the pictures that they posted, so you have an idea of what and who to look for: https://www.laopera.org/season/16-17-season/Tosca/
Remember, "Tosca" is three hours, contains some violence and is all about relationship drama...so be prepared! See you on Thursday at 8:00 am!
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The CCMS Voicestra choir has been offered free tickets to see the opera "Tosca" by Giacomo Puccini next Thursday, April 20th, at 11:00 am at The Music Center. This will be an all-day field trip, and you should have received a paper copy letter explaining the trip, as well as a permission slip and an activity slip during their 6th period today. In you were absent today, all of the documents are also attached below. You can find out more about the opera at: https://www.laopera.org/season/Season-at-a-Glance/Tosca1213/
I am so thrilled for this opportunity for us, and am so excited about all of the incredible opportunities we have been given this year. I couldn't be prouder of each and every one of you.
Please review the attached letter and return the signed permission slip by Tuesday, April 18th. Only students with signed permission slips may attend the field trip. You will also need to have your 0, 1st, and 3rd period teacher sign the permission slip, as we will be meeting at 8:00 am in Room 1 on Thursday, 4/20, and will be returning around 3:00 am that afternoon. (Zero period Biology students, just walk to Room 1 when you are done with Biology class at 8:00).
If your parent or guardian would like to chaperone, please email me as soon as you are able--we are looking for several parents to volunteer to accompany us for the whole day.
A few other items to note:
1) You will need to bring a bag lunch and a snack on Thursday 4/20, as we will be eating lunch at The Music Center.
2) You should plan on wearing something nice to school. L. A. Opera describes this as "your Sunday best--think of wearing something nice you might wear when visiting your relatives for a holiday."
3) Thursday, 4/20 is ELA CAASPP testing. If you have ELA during 1st or 3rd period, you will be missing choir the following Monday and/or Tuesday to make up your ELA test.
4) Please make arrangements to have your parent/guardian bring you to school early (8:00 am) and to be picked up late (2:45 or 3:00 pm) on 4/20.
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Please use the attached vocabulary sheet and quick check example to study for our upcoming Musical Terms quiz on Monday at the beginning of class.
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Please review the attached letter and permission slip (sent home on Thursday, 3/23 for 7th graders and Friday, 3/24 for 8th graders) with information for our upcoming Music in the Parks trip on Saturday, May 13th. Your permission slip is due on Tuesday, April 11th. Have a wonderful spring break!
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Announcing...auditions for solos for "Sing!" (for Voicestra) and "Best Day of My Life" (for Singing Panthers) on Tuesday, April 11th, during PAWs and after-school. All are invited and encouraged to audition. Good luck!
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Please practice Mr. Brennan's piece "The Bells" over your spring break. Attached you will find a pdf of the music, along with an mp3 of the entire track for you to listen to. Have fun!
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Awesome, amazing job on your "Carmina Burana" concert! Please fill out your Concert Self-Evaluation sheet (attached) and turn it in tomorrow if you did not get a chance to finish it during class.
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Chromatic Scale Solfege Video Assignment: Due Monday, March 13th
You will be making a chromatic solfege scale video and submitting it to me for your homework assignment. Attached you should find a copy of these directions, as well as the pdf of the chromatic solfege scale, with hand signs. Please can use this video to practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x36HdBs2Gb0. You may practice as many times as you need to.
When you are ready, use a smartphone, computer, or tablet to create a video. You can log on to youtube.com, use Photobooth, Camera, or any other video-making application. Begin your video by saying your name. Then, sing the chromatic solfege scale, starting on the “do” pitch of your choice. You must say all of the syllables in order, and show each hand sign to get full credit. (See below and the back for intervals and for the grading rubric)
Once you are satisfied with your video, use the arrow/upload feature to send or share it with Ms. Koplinka-Loehr. If you can type your name onto your file or in the email, that is preferred; if not, just leave it as is. You must send it to [email protected] in order to get credit.
If you are having difficulties, you can call my google voice mailbox at: (262) 7CHOIR5, which is (262) 724-6475, or send me an email.
If you do not have access to a smartphone or the internet, you may go to the computer lab or library before or after-school, or come by Room 1 during PAWs or after-school to practice and complete this assignment.
Intervals to Sing: (See back for rubric and hand signs to practice the scale)
(Going up): Do, di, re, ri, mi, fa, fi, so, si, la, li, ti, do
(Going down): Do, ti, te, la, le, so, se, fa, mi, me, re, ra, do
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Please fill out your Rehearsal Rubric based on your last week of rehearsal (3/6, 3/7, and 3/10) and turn it in by Monday, 3/13. Please make two short, achievable goals for yourself for the upcoming concert on Sunday, March 19th, when we perform Carmina Burana with Vox Femina.
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Please read the attached letter (below, in Spanish and English), and turn in the permission slip and field trip slip form (handed out today) by next Thursday, 3/2. We're so excited for our upcoming concert on Sunday, 3/19, as well as our rehearsal on Wednesday, 3/15!
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Please watch the video of "Adiemus" if you were not in class today, 2/17 (you can see it at: https://vimeo.com/204617497. The password for the video is: ccms
After you watch the video, please complete your concert evaluation sheet (attached below, and handed out in class on Friday 2/17). Please be sure to turn in your self-evaluation of your concert by Wednesday, 2/22!
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Please memorize "Adiemus" by Wednesday, 2/15, before our concert. You may use the following links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX__4aHwYzM, or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7kyEptalJA to help memorize the song.
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Please memorize "Shenandoah" by Thursday, February 9th. You may use the following video link to help you practice:
Remember--intonation, vowel shape, and breath control!
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Please fill out the attached Rehearsal Rubric based on your most recent week of rehearsals in choir. Be honest, and reflect on what you need to do to improve and to help out choir to improve to be the best you can be. Make sure to create a Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Sensitive (SMART) goal for our concert on Thursday, 2/16!
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Dr. Iris Levine speaks the text to the movements we sing in Carmina Burana, "Cour d'amours." First is #15, "Amor volat undique," and second is #22, "Tempus est iocundum." Listen carefully and please pause the text and repeat after her to practice exactly how to pronounce the Latin Germanic text. You must learn the correct pronunciation and have practiced it at least five times on your own by next Tuesday, 1/24.
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We will have solo auditions for the Center Theatre Group's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" performance on February 10th. If you are available to perform on Friday, 2/10, at 7:00pm at Vet's Auditorium, and would like to audition for a solo, please come to PAWs on Thursday, 2/19 to audition. The section that will be auditioned is: "Someday I'll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me; Where troubles melt like lemondrops away above the chimney-tops, that's where you'll find me." A link to the version from the movie is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSZxmZmBfnU
And a version in the key we'll be singing it in, D major, is here (you *must be able to sing it in this key*): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiQg_5vPeFE
Good luck!
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Please use the following examples to practice for your upcoming solfege quiz. The quiz will start on Thursday, 1/12, and will continue for multiple days in class until everyone in Voicestra has taken the quiz. Remember that you will have a 5 minute time limit to take your quiz.
Students in their first year in Voicestra should practice with "first-year" pdfs and "1st-year" practice track.
Students in their second year in Voicestra should practice with 3.17 and the "2nd-year" practice track.
Students who are in their first year in Voicestra but would like to challenge themselves by taking the 2nd-year quiz can earn up to 5 extra-credit points by taking the 2nd-year quiz. Please be sure to practice both "1st-year" and "2nd-year" materials.
Remember to figure out the solfege quiz and practice examples by using the following steps:
1) "Ta" the rhythms first
2) Speak the solfege, in rhythm
3) Sing the solfege on pitch, with correct rhythms.
You can practice with the attached examples, and then listen to the track to see if your solfege practicing was correct. Your solfege quiz will be graded using the attached rubric. Good luck!
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Please listen and familiarize yourself with your part (line 1, line 2, or line 3) of "Up On the Mountain," pages 1-6 over the winter break. The tracks are attached below. The overall track is for you to listen to and practice with after you have practiced with your specific line's practice track. Have fun!
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Please practice the following exercises this weekend:
1) Practice breathing #1: Bend forward slightly, with a flat back, bending at the waist. Pretend to suck in through a straw with lots of spit.
2) Practice breathing #2: Bend forward slightly, with a flat back, bending at the waist. Put your hands on your lower back, with your fingers spread towards your spine. Feel the expansion on your back as you inhale and the contraction as you exhale.
3) Panting exercise: Put your hands up over your head and onto the top of your shoulders, with your elbows pointing to the sky. Start to pant fast, then vary the tempo to slower breaths. Change the tempo. Feel the expansion of your chest when you inhale while panting.
Please practice all breathing exercises for 5 minutes, 3 times a day until our concert on Wednesday, December 7th. Have fun!
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Please use the following video to practice for your transitions in "Ton Thé":
Have a great weekend!
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We are currently accepting submissions of program cover art for the front of the winter program for our 2016 winter concert! Please see attached file for the template and explanations. Submissions are due by Monday, November 28th. Students will receive extra credit if they complete this optional homework assignment!
Submissions need to follow the following criteria:
- Use a black pen or fine-tipped marker
- Draw your design in the blank space provided
- Be sure to have a music-related image
- Remember that both instrumental and vocal ensembles will be performing in the concert
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Please memorize ALL of your lyrics to all of your songs by Monday, November 28th. This means you need to bring your choir folder home over Thanksgiving break. Have fun memorizing all of your words!
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Please bring a mirror with you to choir tomorrow (one that is small enough to fit in your hand). You will be using it to look at your vowel shape during choir. If you don't have a handheld mirror, or can't borrow one, you may use a phone that has mirror or self-video capability.
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Please practice our solfege example (3.10) for Monday. It is attached below. Remember to sing fourths!
Your lines are:
Group 1 (Naomi's group): S1
Group 2 (Lynn and Aria's group): S2
Group 3 (Aaron's group): A
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Please complete your S.M.A.R.T. goal, keeping in mind that you need a Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely goal. You can use the video we watched in class (for Singing Panthers on Friday 11/4)(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA53yhiOe04) if you need more ideas. Please use complete sentences, and please remember to fill out the *back* of the sheet (the weekly self-evaluation). Please write 1-2 complete sentences per section of the goals sheet, as well as a specific, thorough goals statement at the bottom of the sheet.
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Please practice our solfege example (3.3) for Monday. It is attached below. Remember to sing fourths!
Your lines are:
Group 1 (Naomi's group): S1
Group 2 (Lynn and Aria's group): S2
Group 3 (Aaron's group): A
Happy almost-Halloween!
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Next week, we will be starting our in-class rhythm quiz! You will be making a video of yourself speaking 3 measures of rhythms. Please use the following websites to practice your rhythms:
Rhythm Cards Practice Video 1 (starting with the easiest cards)
Rhythm Cards Practice Video 2 (starting with medium-level cards and ending with harder cards)
http://www.therhythmtrainer.com/: Use this website to practice rhythms in a variety of combinations, either listening or decoding what the rhythm is.
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Please use the attached track to learn the last three pages of your part (either line 1, or line 2), to "Shiru," after they key change (measure 58 to the end). I have included the whole track, without playing piano for you, for you to use your solfege skills to figure out your part. I also included images of the last three pages for you to use, and practice at home. The vocal performance is by the Kentucky Junior High Treble Chorus, conducted by Mary Kay Geston at the 2012 Kentucky Music Educators Association conference.
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- Attached you should find a copy of these directions, as well as a practice video and a solfege practice guide. You may practice as many times as you need to.
- When you are ready, use a smartphone, computer, or tablet to create a video. You can log on to youtube.com, use Photobooth, Camera, or any other video-making application. Begin your video by saying your name and grade. Then, if it is your FIRST year in Voicestra, sing a minor scale, starting the pitch “la” of your choice. You must say all of the syllables in order, and show each hand sign to get full credit. If it is your SECOND year in Voicestra, please sing a mixolydian scale, starting and ending on “so.” You may NOT look at any solfege guide or sheet while you are making your video.
- Once you are satisfied with your video, use the arrow/upload feature to send or share it with Ms. Koplinka-Loehr. If you can type your name onto your file or in the email, that would be great; if not, just leave it as is. You must send it to [email protected] in order to get credit.
- If you are having difficulties, you can call my google voice mailbox at: (262) 7CHOIR5, which is (262) 724-6475, or send me an email.
- If you do not have access to a smartphone or the internet, you may go to the computer lab or library before or afterschool, or come by Room 1 during PAWs or afterschool to practice and complete this assignment.
Solfege Video Homework Rubric Evaluation
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Solfege Syllables |
Hand Signs |
Pitch (1 pt for each in-tune note and interval) |
Posture (1 pt each) |
|
4 |
All solfege syllables are accurate |
All hand signs are accurate |
8 ______
7 ______
6 ______
5 ______
4 ______
3 ______
2 ______
1 ______ |
___ String from the back of the neck
___ Sternum (ribcage) is lifted
___ Ears, shoulders, hips, and heels are aligned
___ Chin stays level and/or parallel with the floor (Do the “L” check) |
|
3 |
Most solfege syllables are accurate |
Most hand signs are accurate |
||
|
2 |
Some solfege syllables are accurate |
Some hand signs are accurate |
||
|
1 |
Few or no accurate solfege syllables |
Few accurate hand signs |
Comments: Total points:
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Welcome again to CCMS Voicestra Choir! Your second assignment is to read the Voicestra syllabus, mark down all of our concerts on your family calendar, and return the syllabus slip to Ms. Koplinka-Loehr. Be sure to note our new concert this year, a collaboration with a professional choir on March 19th!
Ms. Koplinka-Loehr handed hard copies of the Voicestra syllabus Thursday, 8/25 during class, and it is also uploaded here electronically in both Spanish and English. Additionally, the "read-and-return" slip is attached, as is the parent volunteer slip, both in Spanish and English. Thanks so much for all of your support!
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For all Voicestra students: if this is your second or third year in choir, and you are interested in being a section leader this year, please turn in 1-2 paragraphs by tomorrow, August 30th, explaining what would make you a strong, reliable section leader. Traits of a strong section leader include:
- Strong music-reading ability
-Strong leadership skills
-Positive attitude
-Ability to motivate peers
All students are encouraged to apply; preference will be given to 8th graders. Your 1-2 paragraphs are due to Ms. Koplinka-Loehr at the beginning of class tomorrow. Thanks!
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Your first assignment is to subscribe to this class! Please follow the directions below. Welcome to CCMS Choir!
To subscribe:
1) Go to ccms.ccusd.org
2) Hover over the word “Academics” in the top banner. A drop-down menu should appear. Click on the first word in the menu, “Departments.”
3) Once you are in “Departments,” click on “Electives.”
4) Once you are in “Electives,” scroll down and click on “Danielle Koplinka-Loehr.”
5) You have now reached my page! Please scroll down past the message until you see the header “Classes” in the middle part of the page. Click on “Voicestra” if you are in Voicestra, and “Singing Panthers” if you are in Singing Panthers. Once you have reached the class page, please click on the button that says “+Subscribe” on the right-hand side.
6) A pop-up window will appear. Please enter your name, email, and if your parent is subscribing, please enter your name as a student. Thanks so much for completing your first assignment on time!