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Harvard-Westlake Middle School Performing Arts
Location: Choral Music > Courses
Choral Music Courses
  • 1300-0 Chorus Full year
    Grade 7
    Meets 5 times per cycle

    This course is designed for all students who love to sing. The ensemble consists of boys and girls and encourages equally the unchanged and the changing voice. All seventh-grade students interested in singing and performing should register for this course. The repertoire is varied, and instruction in vocal technique and sight singing are given. This chorus participates in school concerts, assemblies, and festivals.
  • 1310-0 Vocal Ensemble Full year
    Grades 8 and 9
    Meets 5 times per cycle

    This advanced performance ensemble is designed for choral singers with some previous choral experience, although music reading skills are not required. This ensemble, comprised entirely of young women, encourages equally intermediate and more advanced singers. Repertoire is varied and includes a cappella, classical, jazz, and “pop” literature. Independent a cappella groups may be derived from this ensemble. This ensemble represents the school in the community.
    Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
  • 1315-0 Madrigals Full year
    Grades 8 and 9
    Meets 5 times per cycle

    This advanced choral ensemble is designed for experienced singers who are dedicated to the choral art. This ensemble consists of boys and girls and encourages equally the unchanged, the changed, and the changing voice. Singers must possess some sight-singing skills. The repertoire is drawn from a cappella as well as accompanied styles of all genres, ranging from classical to contemporary. Independent a cappella groups of all girls or all boys may be derived from this ensemble. This ensemble represents the school in the community.
    Prerequisite: Audition and/or permission of the instructor.
  • 1320-1 Voice Class
    1320-2     		Independent study
    Grade 9
    Meets 1 time per cycle

    This class is designed for advanced singers with vocal experience who wish to further explore vocal technique. Individual instruction is given in breathing, vocal production, and interpretation. Repertoire is chosen primarily from classical literature, although other genres are considered. The course meets one time per cycle as arranged by the instructor. Each member of the class performs at least one time as a soloist during he course of the semester.
    Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor and membership in Vocal Ensemble or Madrigals.
  • 1325-1 Sight Singing
    1325-2     		Two identical semesters
    Grades 8 and 9
    Meets 3 times per cycle

    This class is designed for students who wish to learn how to read music. The basic elements of music are covered, with a primary focus on rhythm and melody. Students gain an understanding of the grand staff, the keyboard, and a mastery of sight singing in the treble and bass clefs in the keys of C, F, and G major. This class benefits the instrumentalist as well as the vocalist and is recommended for students who plan to continue their involvement in music at Harvard-Westlake.
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