1. 7 th & 8 th Grade Chorus  New choral experience – Sing in 3 Parts  Greater responsibility –Students are graded  2 Separate Chorus classes merge for performances  Ready to handle new vocal and musical challenges:  Complex harmonies  Take ownership for their individual voices

2. What do we do in chorus? Learn to follow the vocal score Learn to follow the vocal score Learn vocal technique – Similar to voice lessons Learn vocal technique – Similar to voice lessons Develop listening skills to sing in tune Develop listening skills to sing in tune Learn basic notation skills to develop musical literacy Learn basic notation skills to develop musical literacy Musical interpretation & expression Musical interpretation & expression Learn repertoire of many styles Learn repertoire of many styles

3. Year Two for 8 th Graders  8 th Grade Students – More mature physically and mentally than in the 7 th grade.  Ready to handle greater vocal and musical challenges:  Complex harmonies  Musical interpretation & expression  Fuller sound due to physical maturity  Greater desire to be a good singer  Able to absorb more information  Take ownership for their individual voices

4. Skills Acquired in Chorus Collaborative – students work as a team Collaborative – students work as a team Problem solving – How to make the music and our voices sound better? Problem solving – How to make the music and our voices sound better? Higher Order Thinking – Analysis, synthesis, evaluation Higher Order Thinking – Analysis, synthesis, evaluation Musical and behavioral discipline Musical and behavioral discipline Organization & Responsibility Organization & Responsibility Students transfer skills to academic world!!!

5. Social Skills Acquired in Chorus Students develop confidence! Students develop confidence! Self Esteem improves Self Esteem improves A sense of belonging develops – Students are part of the RDMS Music Family A sense of belonging develops – Students are part of the RDMS Music Family Communication with students and teachers Communication with students and teachers Tolerance Tolerance

6. Bergen County Chorus Auditions: October 6, 2015 Auditions: October 6, 2015 Applications due: September 24th Applications due: September 24th Fantastic opportunity for strong choral students Fantastic opportunity for strong choral students Participating students advance vocal skills Participating students advance vocal skills Students bring back Bergen County Chorus experiences to RDMS chorus peers Students bring back Bergen County Chorus experiences to RDMS chorus peers

7. All North Jersey Region I Jr. High School Chorus Another outside ensemble opportunity Another outside ensemble opportunity Auditions February 6, 2016 Auditions February 6, 2016 Choral students across the Northern New Jersey area grades 7-9 are eligible Choral students across the Northern New Jersey area grades 7-9 are eligible Rehearsals and performance take place in February and March 2016 Rehearsals and performance take place in February and March 2016

8. 7 th & 8 th Grade Chorus School Wires Page Course Expectations document Course Expectations document Rehearsal and performance schedules will be posted Rehearsal and performance schedules will be posted Bergen County and Region Chorus information & sound clips for practicing Bergen County and Region Chorus information & sound clips for practicing Audio files for chorus repertoire will be posted Audio files for chorus repertoire will be posted

9. Concerts After school rehearsals in November/December – All students are expected to be present After school rehearsals in November/December – All students are expected to be present Student pianists accompany the chorus at these rehearsals. Great experience! Student pianists accompany the chorus at these rehearsals. Great experience! Chorus classes merge for two concerts Chorus classes merge for two concerts Dates: December 10th and May 12th Dates: December 10th and May 12th

10. Break in the day! Kids have fun in chorus Kids have fun in chorus Music is great for the soul Music is great for the soul Nice break from the academic world when students express themselves and develop their voices (a physical skill)! Nice break from the academic world when students express themselves and develop their voices (a physical skill)!

11. Communication Students and parents can contact Mrs. Zintel at any time with concerns or questions. Email is great!!! Students and parents can contact Mrs. Zintel at any time with concerns or questions. Email is great!!! Students are encouraged to communicate if they are having any difficulties. Always better to talk things out!!! Students are encouraged to communicate if they are having any difficulties. Always better to talk things out!!!

12. Select Chorus Extracurricular Ensemble Audition ensemble. All RDMS students are eligible Audition ensemble. All RDMS students are eligible Auditions take place in December Auditions take place in December Rehearsals after school Thursdays beginning in January Rehearsals after school Thursdays beginning in January Perform in the Spring Concert Perform in the Spring Concert Participation in the High Music Festival Participation in the High Music Festival High Notes\High Notes 2015 Judge 1.MP3 High Notes\High Notes 2015 Judge 1.MP3 High Notes\High Notes 2015 Judge 1.MP3 High Notes\High Notes 2015 Judge 1.MP3 High Notes\High Notes 2015 Judge 2.MP3 High Notes\High Notes 2015 Judge 2.MP3 High Notes\High Notes 2015 Judge 2.MP3 High Notes\High Notes 2015 Judge 2.MP3