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

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

Year Two for 8th Graders 8th Grade Students – More mature physically and mentally than in the 7th 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

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

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

Bergen County Chorus Auditions: October 12, 2017 Applications due: September 27th Fantastic opportunity for strong choral students Participating students advance vocal skills Students bring back Bergen County Chorus experiences to RDMS chorus peers

All North Jersey Region I Jr. High School Chorus Another outside ensemble opportunity Auditions February 3, 2018 Choral students across the Northern New Jersey area grades 7-9 are eligible Rehearsals and performance take place in March 2018

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

Concerts After school rehearsals in November/December – All students are expected to be present Student pianists accompany the chorus at these rehearsals. Great experience! Chorus classes merge for two concerts Dates: December 7th and May 10th

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

Communication 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!!!

Select Chorus Extracurricular Ensemble Audition ensemble. All RDMS students are eligible Auditions take place in December Rehearsals after school Wednesdays & Thursdays beginning in January Perform in the Spring Concert Participation in the High Music Festival Judges’ Comments from June 2017: