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Cambridge
AUB Choir Syllabus
FAAH 242/243
Choir
Participation Guidelines, Schedule and Syllabus:
Fall Semester,
2009
Paul Meers,
director; Nicely 403;
pm05@aub.edu.lb, ext. 4041/4351
Rehearsal periods:
Every
Monday or WEDNESDAY, 6.30 – 8.45, Wednesday or Monday
11-11.50, and Friday 11 – 11.50. Section rehearsals may be held on
Mondays at 11. Required extra rehearsals as shown in the schedule.
Learning Outcomes:
AUB Choir members are expected to
-
Begin all rehearsals
promptly.
This is an essential
group-work skill, which is beneficial in every life situation.
-
Participate fully in
all aspects of rehearsal.
This is learned, and
improves with every rehearsal period.
-
Engage effectively
with music notation,
at a level
appropriate to experience. This improves with every rehearsal period.
It includes the crucial practice of marking the score with pencil, to
assist learning and memory.
-
Perform accurately
and expressively, according to ensemble requirements.
-
Treat loaned
materials with respect, and return them at the appointed time.
This
includes marking with pencil, and erasing after the concerts.
-
Treat all other
ensemble members with respect.
This is necessary
for ensemble/team building, and has a direct effect on learning and
performance.
Registration:
Every
member of the AUB Choir is expected to be registered for credit, because
choir participation teaches a body of musical art and literature, as
well as musical performance skills. Exceptions to this guideline may be
made for non-AUB students, or any student registered for less than 12
credit hours. Non-registered students are expected to participate
fully; absences from rehearsals will result in denial of performance
participation, subject to the discretion of the director.
Music Scores:
Loaned
scores are property of AUB. They are loaned to you from the choral
library. They must be returned in good condition on the day appointed,
for you to receive credit for the course. In case of dropping the
course, music must be returned to receive a “W.” Do NOT use ink to
mark your score. Always bring and use a pencil at every rehearsal.
***Exams and quizzes
in other classes
should not conflict with a scheduled, credit-bearing class, including
AUB Choir; this is AUB policy. Please inform your professors
immediately of our scheduled rehearsal times, and let
them know that missing rehearsal will adversely affect your grade for
this class.
Concert and Extra Rehearsal Schedule Fall 2009
NOTE: AUB Choir and
Choral Society follow the university schedule exactly. If classes are
in session, we will meet. THUS, we need to make up for THREE Monday
holidays. It seems the least problematic day for makeups will be
Wednesday. Those are shown in italics below. For complete schedule, see
http://staff.aub.edu.lb/~webregist/pdfdoc/calendar.pdf
NIGHT REHEARSAL
MONDAY or WEDNESDAY TBA
WH = West Hall
Auditorium B, 2nd floor
AH = Assembly Hall
Sept. 28, Monday,
6.30: First Choral Society rehearsal
Oct. 6, Monday,
6.30: AUB Choir and Choral Society rehearsal. We decide this week to
stay, or
move to Wednesdays.
Oct. 17, 3 pm – 8
pm. WH, AH, and ???: Choir retreat and party.
*Nov. 7, 10 am – 4
pm: Teacher Training Workshop, Zaki Nassif Program, WH.
Dec. 7, Monday,
6.30. Full Rehearsal.
Dec. 9, Wednesday,
6.30. Full Rehearsal
Dec. 11, Friday,
6.30. Full rehearsal
Dec. 12, Saturday: 4
– 7 pm: Open Dress Rehearsal
Dec. 13, Sunday:
Concert 1. Onstage at 5.30, begin at 7.
Dec. 14, Monday:
Concert 2, same.
Grading:
Your grade in choir
is determined by participation in rehearsals and performances until the
final concert. All scheduled extra rehearsals, including two days
before Commencement are included in this participation. Credit and
grades are determined by the successful completion of A and B
following, over:
A. Determines
performance privileges and course credit:
participate fully in
all scheduled dress rehearsals and performances, and return all scores
which are AUB property.
When A is completed,
final grade will be determined by B
B:
Determines grade: participate fully in all regularly-scheduled
rehearsals. Grade assigned according to the following:
1 absence =
95% 0 absences with extra service (crew, extra
2 absences =
90% rehearsals, etc) = 100%
3
absences = 80% note: 3 times late to
rehearsal counts as
4
absences = 70% one absence.
Concert Dress and related information
Rule
Number 1: Women, ankle length skirt or dress; shorter
dresses will result in you NOT performing in the concert, and failing
the course. A simple, black skirt can be made to order for 25000
LL.
Also
Number 1: No perfume at performances. It gives many people breathing
problems. A shower is recommended.
CONCERT DRESS: Daytime University Ceremonies for tutti:
Wear all black which looks neat, no jeans or tee shirts.
Concert Dress for Men:
-Black Trousers and Jacket
-White Shirt
-Tie, your choice of color
-Black shoes
Concert Dress for Women:
-Black, ankle-length skirt and top with half-sleeves OR Black
ankle-length dress. Get one with an open neck.
No tight pants or exposed midriffs.
-Black shoes, low heel or no heel, for safety reasons. The risers are
treacherous!
-Holiday Concert: A big red fake flower
-Spring Concert: A string of faux pearls
NB: NO PANTS for Holiday and Spring Concerts.
NO
SHINY STUFF anywhere, including really big earrings. Long hair put UP
is really nice, but not required
The
dullest pencil is better than the sharpest mind – mark it!
Sing like your life depends on it
(maybe it will some day…)
AUB Choral Society
Have
you seen our website? You're on it.
http://staff.aub.edu.lb/~pm05/choir.htm
FALL
2009
Paul Meers, director; Office Nicely 403, ext. 4041/4351
e.mail
pm05@aub.edu.lb,
Please be advised that
participation
through university commencement June 26
is expected from all members.
Rehearsal periods:
Rehearsals
begin promptly, 6.30 and finish at 8:45 pm every Monday or
Wednesday in West Hall 204. See schedule below for extra rehearsals.
Participation
Guidelines.
Attendance and
participation in every rehearsal and performance are absolute
requirements for membership. The direction reserves the right to
revoke performance privileges to anyone who is absent from rehearsal.
And bring a sharp pencil! Marking your scores is the best way to get
better fast – and it reduces memory
stress.
All members pay a
fee which covers operational costs such as rehearsal accompanist fees
and scores. See fee structure below. AUB provides rehearsal and
performance space
gratis.
Attendance Procedure:
Attendance will be taken at every rehearsal. See the
appointed attendance-taker to guarantee your attendance is
counted; attendance cannot be counted retroactively.
Concert and Extra Rehearsal Schedule Fall 2009
NOTE: AUB Choir and
Choral Society follow the university schedule exactly. If classes are
in session, we will meet. For complete schedule, see http://staff.aub.edu.lb/~webregist/pdfdoc/calendar.pdf
Every MONDAY or
WEDNESDAY, 6.30 – 8.45 pm, WH
WH=West Hall,
Auditorium B, upstairs and left.
AH=Assembly Hall
stage
Sept. 28, Monday,
6.30 – 8.45: First Choral Society rehearsal
Oct. 5, Monday,
6.30: AUB Choir and Choral Society rehearsal WH. We decide this week to
stay, or move to Wednesdays.
*Oct. 12, Monday, 11
am – 1, AH. Opening Ceremony. Classes cancelled for ceremony.
Oct. 17, 3 pm – 8
pm. WH, AH, and ???: Choir retreat and party.
**Nov. 7, 10 am – 4
pm: Choir Teacher Training Workshop, Zaki Nassif Program, WH.
*Dec. 7, Monday, 11
– 1. Founders’ Day Ceremony AH.
Dec. 7, Monday,
6.30. Full Rehearsal, AH.
Dec. 9, Wednesday,
6.30. Full Rehearsal, AH
Dec. 11, Friday,
6.30. Full rehearsal, AH
Dec. 12, Saturday: 4
– 7 pm: Open Dress Rehearsal, AH
Dec. 13, Sunday:
Concert 1. Onstage at 5.30, begin at 7, AH.
Dec. 14, Monday:
Concert 2, same.
*All invited,
Students required.
**All invited to
participate. Not required.
Fee Structure:
Category Fee
1. Non-student 50 USD
2. Any full-time student 50000 LL
This fee covers the full year, and includes your purchase of the
professionally-published scores for our Spring Concert of music by JS
Bach, which will be yours to keep. Print music for December’s concerts
is AUB property and must be returned.
Procedure:
Go to the university cashier’s office, ground floor of College Hall, pay
the appropriate fee to the Choral Society account, and bring the receipt
to rehearsal.
Concert Dress and related information
Rule Number 1: Women, ankle length skirt or dress; shorter
dresses will result in you NOT performing in the concert. A simple,
black skirt can be made to order for 25000 LL.
Rule
also Number 1: No perfume at performances. It gives many people
breathing problems.
University Ceremonies for tutti:
Wear all black which looks neat, no jeans or tee shirts.
Concert Dress for Men:
-Black trousers and jacket
-White shirt
-Long tie, your choice of color
-Black shoes and socks
Concert Dress for Women:
-Black, ankle-length skirt and top with half-sleeves OR Black
ankle-length dress. Get one with an open neck.
No pants or exposed midriffs.
-Black shoes, low heel or no heel, for safety reasons. The risers are
treacherous!
-December Concert: A big red fake flower
-Spring Concert: A string of faux pearls
NB: NO PANTS for Holiday and Spring Concerts.
NO
SHINY STUFF anywhere, including really big earrings. Long hair put UP
is really nice, but not required.
Ensemble Polyphonica
announces
AUDITIONS
for the
2009 - 2010 Season
26
September, Saturday
Nicely Hall 409
Beginning at 11 am.
Requirements for Membership:
1.
One weekly rehearsal, either Wednesday or Monday nights, TBA.
Missing rehearsals is not acceptable.
2.
Extra rehearsals in concert week, announced at least one month in
advance
Requirements for Audition:
1.
Perform any solo piece which demonstrates your voice well. May be
accompanied by piano.
2.
Sight-read alone, and your part in the group.
3.
Sing prepared music from the audition packet: excerpts from Poulenc’s
motets.
Audition Procedure:
1.
Pick up audition packet from AUB, Nicely Hall 302, the FAAH Department,
during business hours. Call first, AUB extension 4351.
2.
Mail
psmeers@gmail.com for an audition time
3.
Come to Nicely 409, upstairs north side of building, before your
audition time.
Repertoire
December 12,13: Francis Poulenc’s
Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël
June TBA :
The Song of Songs. Renaissance Music on Texts of the Song of
Songs, incl. Josquin, Lassus, and Palestrina.
Criteria for assessment:
a. pitch and rhythm
b. blending into ensemble with vowel, rhythmic unity, consonant clarity
d. expressive diction
d. phrasing consistent with the diction and ensemble "will"
