TAMALPAIS UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Larkspur, CA

Course of Study

CHAMBER MUSIC

I.	INTRODUCTION

A.  Purpose

Chamber Music is a one-year course that may be repeated, with a grade of “B” or better, for a total of up to four years.  This is a multi-grade, advanced level, ensemble and performance oriented lab class for the study and performance of advanced level, quality literature for the voice or instrument.  The class is open to the most advanced students of any grade who demonstrate appropriate ability, by audition and/or with the permission of the instructor. The literature is not repeated, so each additional year in the class adds directly to the students’ musical knowledge of the chamber music tradition.  Chamber Music prepares the student for participation in advanced college groups before and after graduation from high school. Simultaneous enrollment in Concert Choir, Advanced Band, Orchestra or Jazz Band is required. All performances are mandatory and these may include events at school or in the community during or after school hours.

B.	Tamalpais District Outcomes, National Standards For Arts Education and California State Framework Standards

This class particularly addresses the following Tamalpais District Student Learning Outcomes:
1.	  Read/view and analyze material in a variety of disciplines
3.         Use technology to access information, analyze/solve problems and    communicate ideas
11.       Appreciate, interpret, experience, create, and/or perform artistic works

         13.        Participate in community, social, civic, or cultural service

This class addresses these Content Standards from the National Standards for Arts Education in Music:

1.	Performing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
2.	Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines
3.	Reading and notating music
4.	Listening to, analyzing, and describing music
5.	Evaluating music and music performances
6.	Understanding relationship between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts
7.	Understanding music in relation to history and culture

This class also addresses the music standards for grades 9 –12 advanced, of the California State Framework for Visual and Performing Arts:

1.1 Read a full instrument or vocal score and describe how the elements of music are used.
1.3 Sight-read music accurately and expressively (level of difficulty: 5; scale: 1–6).
1.4 Analyze and describe significant musical events perceived and remembered in a given aural example.
1.5 Analyze and describe the use of musical elements in a given work that makes it unique, interesting, and expressive.
1.6 Compare and contrast the use of form, both past and present, in a varied repertoire of music from diverse genres, styles, and cultures.
2.1 Sing a repertoire of vocal literature representing various genres, styles, and cultures with expression, technical accuracy, tone quality, vowel shape, and articulation—written and memorized, by oneself and in ensembles (level of difficulty: 5; scale: 1–6).
2.2 Sing music written in four parts with and without accompaniment.
3.1 Analyze how the roles of musicians and composers have changed or remained the same throughout history.
3.3 Compare and contrast the social function of a variety of music forms in various cultures and time periods.
3.4 Perform music from a variety of cultures and historical periods.
3.6 Compare and contrast musical styles within various popular genres in North America, Europe and Africa.
3.7 Analyze the stylistic features of a given musical work that define its aesthetic traditions and its historical or cultural context.
                  3.8 Compare and contrast musical genres or styles that show the influence of two                    or more cultural traditions.
                  4.1 Compare and contrast how a composer’s intentions result in a work of music                    and how that music is used.
4.2 Analyze and explain how and why people in a particular culture use and                              respond to specific musical works from their own culture.
4.3 Compare and contrast the musical means used to create images or evoke                    feelings and emotions in works of music from various cultures.
5.1 Explain ways in which the principles and subject matter of music and various                   disciplines outside the arts are interrelated.
5.3 Identify and explain the various factors involved in pursuing careers in music.

C. Articulation With Other Department Courses

This class may be involved in combined musical productions with other instrumental or vocal music courses, thus requiring outside rehearsal time with these groups for performance of these combined musical works.

E.   Course Goals

Chamber Music allows students to improve their technical, ensemble, and musicianship skills while acquiring knowledge, through study, rehearsal, and performance of appropriate advanced chamber music literature.  Students will gain an advanced understanding of performance skills in tone production, breathing and phrasing techniques, bowing and articulation and work towards the development of their own, unique musical identity.  Students will learn to analyze chamber pieces within the context of music history.  This class stresses group ensemble aesthetic experiences through the artistic performance of chamber music literature and focuses on the students’ development as a leader and self motivator. Students will select music and lead rehearsals of themselves and their peers. This class prepares students for further college or community musical activities.  A last goal is performance at appropriate school and community events.

II. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

A. What Students Will Do

This is an advanced performance class and all students will:

·	continually demonstrate above average levels of:
o	 preparation 
o	technical ability
o	 musicianship
o	ensemble and rehearsal skills
o	 group responsibility

•	practice and perform their individual parts correctly
•	 attend all performances, whether during or after school hours
•	sight read
•	rehearse and perform appropriate grade V musical selections in a variety of styles. 
•	perform scales and intervals utilizing solfege syllables and Curwen hand signs.  
•	listen to, analyze, and describe selected musical examples. 
•	lead a rehearsal of their peers  

The student may be asked for written and/or oral reports.  Each student will create and maintain a portfolio of:
•	 student performances 
•	 notes 
•	articles
•	observations
•	written analysis
•	evaluations 
•	assessments  
•	assignments
      
Students will demonstrate, through performance, mastery of their individual parts and advanced  knowledge and skill of:

•	Individual tone quality
•	Ensemble tone quality
•	Ensemble and sectional balance
•	Musical dynamics
•	Intonation
•	Articulation
•	More complex rhythmic problems
•	Phrasing 
•	Breath control
•	Correct posture
•	Care of the voice
•	Basic musical terms and symbols
•	Key signature
•	Time signature
•	Group listening skills	
•	Rehearsal skills
•	Ensemble skills
•	Music Theory
•	Appropriate articulation within a variety of rhythmic styles

III. ASSESSMENT

A.  Student Assessment

The teacher will evaluate the student’s performance and will give a course grade based on objective in-class written and performance tests, written and/or oral reports, an evaluation of the students individual and ensemble performance based on the teacher’s experience of standard expectations for performance in a group of the level, the teacher’s assessment of the student’s daily attendance, rehearsal participation and contribution, and the student’s attendance at require din-school and after school concerts and other performances.  Written criteria for these assessments will be given to the student at the beginning of the school year or semester.

B.  Course Assessment

The effectiveness of this course will be assessed at least once a year using a variety of information including the instructor’s subjective evaluation and student feedback in various forms such as comments or a survey.

IV. METHODS AND MATERIALS

A.  Methods

Chamber Music is a lab class taught through ensemble rehearsal and performance.  The emphasis is on the technical and aesthetic quality of the ensemble product as well as developing the student leader.  The venue for this is the class rehearsal and most of the rehearsal time and effort is given to individual and sectional attention as deemed most appropriate by the instructor.  Additionally, students may listen or watch recordings of significant or relevant performances, be expected to discuss, analyze, give oral or written reports, and/or critique their own or other’s performances.

B. Materials

These or similar musical selections may be used:
The Silver Swan by Orlando Gibbons
Ain’a That Good News traditional arr. William Dawson
Fire, Fire by Thomas Morely
Messiah by G.F. Handel

Supplementary materials may also be used such as:
Advanced Exercises by Zoltan Kodaly
Tone Syllables by Fred Waring
Vocal Method by Estelle Liebling
Singing by William Venard
Practical Method of Italian Singing by Nicola Vaccai

Appropriate aural and visual recordings may be used.

C.  Technology

Computer technology may be used for tutorials, ear training, and improvisation practice.  A TV-VCR/DVD will be used to present appropriate tutorials and performances and a video camera may be used to record student performances.  A sound system will be used for playing recordings and recording equipment will be used to record student performances.

IV.  GENERAL INFORMATION

A.  Prerequisites

Admission to this class requires concurrent enrollment in Concert Choir, Orchestra, Advanced Band or Jazz Band, successful completion of an audition, and/or the permission of the instructor.

B.  Graduation Requirements

Successful completion of one full year in this class satisfies the district’s one year Fine Arts graduation requirement and equals ten (10) credits.

C.  UC/CSU Entrance Requirements

This course has not yet been approved for UC/CSU entrance requirements.  

Approved:   6-27-89
Revised: 6-30-04