CHORUS
and
CLASSROOM MUSIC

Our director & classroom music teacher is
Mrs. Lynn Berg.
(Updated: January 15, 2007)
(Some/All Photos Updated: January 2, 2004)

The Sixth Grade Chorus meets twice a six-day cycle (Days 1 and 4) during Activity Periods A & B, which is one hour. Unlike fifth grade, it is not mandatory for students to be in chorus. It is voluntary and it is not graded. Performances include the Middle School Winter Concert in December, which involves all performance organizations at the middle school, and the Middle School Spring Choral Concert and Music Revue in late April (see Calendar). The Sixth Grade Chorus is invited annually to participate in the Lewisburg Victorian Parade and once during the school year the group travels to the Buffalo Valley Lutheran Home to sing for the residents.

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MIXED CHORUS
(7th & 8th Grade Chorus)

The Mixed Chorus meets twice a six-day cycle (Days 3 and 6) during Activity Periods B & C. Students are admitted to this organization through an audition process, which limits the number of participants to approximately 100 students. This is a graded course and the criteria for the grading process are provided on this web site. The group is responsible for performing in the December Middle School Winter Concert and presents a music revue in April (see Calendar). Songfest participants are selected from this group.

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Members of the Mixed Chorus perform at tree lighting ceremony in Hufnagle Park.

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SELECT CHOIR: As time permits, we are able to have a smaller select group of singers, which number about 12-15 students. Those students audition from the larger Mixed Chorus and sing one selection in the spring concert. This ongoing tradition can provide challenging musical opportunities for the more serious performers.

SONGFEST: Each year, in early May, students are given the opportunity to participate in the PMEA Songfest. Generally, the caliber of music is geared toward seventh and eighth grade students, particularly the range of the boys' part. The typical number of participants is three sopranos, three altos and three baritones. The director often chooses these students based on attitude, skill and enthusiasm exhibited throughout the year. Sometimes there must be an audition if students are equally capable. Students must practice on their own time, both with the director and independently, in order to memorize their music. The nine students from each district then meet for an all day rehearsal and conclude the day with an evening performance for family and friends.

Students in sixth grade have music for one semester and spend four single periods per six-day cycle in the classroom music setting. Percentage grades are given at the end of each marking period. The program is sequential, so that information learned this year will be used in seventh and eighth grade. The units of study presented in sixth grade are African music, rhythm, melody, program music, Latin American music and guitar. Emphasis is place on creating/composing music, playing instruments, singing, actively listening to music, and moving to music. These activities take place in individual, small and large group settings to allow for different learning styles.

SEVENTH GRADE MUSIC

Students in seventh grade have music for one semester and spend two double periods per six-day cycle in the classroom music setting. Percentage grades are given at the end of each marking period. The program builds on knowledge gained from the sixth grade year, but is self-contained enough to allow for new students to the school. The units of study are vocal styles and the changing voice, the Baroque period, Twentieth Century music and guitar. A stronger emphasis is placed on acquiring a working vocabulary when talking about music, creating/composing music, singing, critically listening to and moving to music.

EIGHTH GRADE MUSIC

Eighth grade students also have music for one semester and spend two double periods per six-day cycle in classroom music. Again, percentage grades are given at the end of each marking period. The program also builds on knowledge gained from the seventh grade year, but is self-contained enough to allow for new students to the school. There are only four units of study as we go into more depth in each area of discussion. Use of musical vocabulary when discussing music is desirable by this year. The first unit of study is American Musical Theater. A trip into New York to see a Broadway musical is offered as a culminating experience. The other units are basic elements of music, jazz and guitar. There is more emphasis on individual creation of music and critical listening as well.