Choral Curriculum

Welcome to the Harrison Choral Music Department!
The Choral Music Department at Harrison School for the Arts provides vocal music students the opportunity to develop their talent in a nurturing and supportive environment. We pledge an uncompromising commitment to quality music instruction and performance while encouraging self-discipline and dedication to the success of the individual as well as the department.

The Choral Music Department is designed to offer an opportunity to improve vocal techniques while expanding knowledge of quality vocal/choral music literature. Highly qualified teachers provide students with private vocal instruction. Choral music instruction is available in both large and small ensembles. A variety of musical styles and vocal techniques are explored and performed, including, opera, oratorio, art song, jazz, swing, and Broadway.  The diction class provides a solid foundation in pronunciation of four languages: Italian, German, French, and Spanish.

Choral Department audition requirements can be found here
Chorus Student Handbook

Choral Curriculum
Instrumental Techniques I - II
Music Theory I -II
Vocal Ensemble I - IV
Music Appreciation (Music History)
Electronic Music I
Diction
World Music Ensemble
Advanced Placement Music Theory 

Each student is required to participate in a jury assessment at the end of each semester. Failure to successfully complete these requirements will necessitate placing a student on Artistic Probation until requirements are met.  A second failure at the end of the following semester will result dismissal from the school.  Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is mandatory.  

Year I
Vocal Techniques I (1/2 Credit)
The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop performance techniques and proficiency in group and solo situations and to develop creativity through the study of appropriate and varied choral and solo literature.  This includes developing performance techniques particular to the voice with emphasis placed on technical and musical fundamentals.
Music Theory I (1/2 Credit)
Music Theory will have students studying compositional practices and concepts from c. 1600 - 1900. These concepts begin with rudimental musical principles and culminate in common-practice harmony and four-part vocal writing. 
Chorus I
The purpose of this course is to provide students with experiences in basic to advanced vocal production techniques and part-singing.  The content should include, but not be limited to, enabling students to develop basic fundamental skills in vocal production, choral performance techniques, musical literacy, music appreciation, notation interpretation, appropriate tonal production, varied style periods, and aesthetic values.

Year II
Music Theory II
A continuation of Music Theory I, Music Theory II will have students studying compositional practices and concepts from c. 1600 - 1900. These concepts begin with rudimental musical principles and culminate in common-practice harmony and four-part vocal writing.
Chorus II
The purpose of this course is to provide students with experiences in basic to advanced vocal production techniques and part-singing.  The content should include, but not be limited to, enabling students to develop basic fundamental skills in vocal production, choral performance techniques, musical literacy, music appreciation, notation interpretation, appropriate tonal production, varied style periods, and aesthetic values.

Year III
Electronic Music
Study in this course will focus on the application of principles gleaned in Theory I and II through original music composition. Students will compose using compositional software as well as synthesizer technology. 
Chorus III or Chorus V Honors
The purpose of this course is to provide students with experiences in basic to advanced vocal production techniques and part-singing.  The content should include, but not be limited to, enabling students to develop basic fundamental skills in vocal production, choral performance techniques, musical literacy, music appreciation, notation interpretation, appropriate tonal production, varied style periods, and aesthetic values.
Music Electives for Year III (students choose one):
World Music Ensemble
The purpose of this choir is to explore through performance the various styles and cultures of different regions of the world.  Students will develop basic fundamental skills in vocal production, choral performance techniques and an appreciation for the influence of the arts upon all cultures.
AP Music Theory
This class serves as a culminating Music Theory experience.  Study will include basic musical principles through advanced harmonic study/composition.  Students will take the AP Music Theory test and may receive college credit, providing a passing score on the test is achieved.

Year IV
Comprehensive Music-Music History
The purpose of this course is for students to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to value the historical contributions made by cultures and composers from 500 AD to present. Course content includes enabling students to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to identify music fundamentals, styles, composers, and performers. It also encompasses encouraging students to develop musical judgment and values, and requiring them to listen to live and recorded musical styles from various historical time periods. 
Chorus IV or Chorus VI Honors
The purpose of this course is to provide students with experiences in basic to advanced vocal production techniques and part-singing.  The content should include, but not be limited to, enabling students to develop basic fundamental skills in vocal production, choral performance techniques, musical literacy, music appreciation, notation interpretation, appropriate tonal production, varied style periods, and aesthetic values.
Diction for Singers (1/2 credit)
The purpose of this course is to provide a solid foundation in the pronunciation of the major singing languages: Latin, Italian, French, German, Spanish and English.   Included in the course is the study of the International Phonetic Alphabet.  Using the IPA, students will learn to transcribe foreign languages and apply to performance of these languages. 
Instrumental Techniques III - Advanced Piano (1/2 credit)
This course is designed to give the novice piano student the necessary technical and reading skills, which will strengthen their understanding of music theory and overall musicianship. This course is individualized to each student's ability level while meeting the required proficiency skills.

Required Music Department Supplies
All Choral Students
1" Clearvue binder - white • Songs & Arias music book - To be purchased AFTER consultation with private teacher • Uniform Fee - $50 • Pencils
Electronic Music
Folder • Journal or notebook • Flash memory (no more than 1G is needed)
AP Music Theory/Jazz Improvisation
Folder • Staff Paper (found free online) • Pencils
Theory I
Manuscript paper (8.5"x11") • 3-ring notebook • Pencils only
Theory II
Manuscript paper (8.5"x11") • 3-ring notebook • Pencils only • Stereo headset • ¼" stereo adapter

Faculty
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B.M.E. Florida Southern College, NBCT
Mrs. Lambert has taught in Polk County for over twenty years. At Harrison she teachers both in the Musical Theatre Department and the Choral Music Department. While teaching at Rochelle School of the Arts, she was chosen as Teacher of the Year and was a finalist for the Polk County Teacher of the Year. Her choirs have performed at the state and national levels, including performances at the 25th Anniversary of the Kennedy Center, the Florida Music Educators Conference, and at Polk County Days at the state capitol.
Mrs. Lambert holds a Bachelor's of Music Education from Florida Southern College and is a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT). She currently serves on the executive board of the Florida Vocal Association and is an active member in NafME, FMEA, and ACDA. She is an FVA-certified adjudicator and has been a guest clinician for various honor choirs around the state.

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B.M., McMurry University, M.M.A.Choral Conducting, University of South Carolina
Mr. Ridgley is currently Director of Choral Music at  Harrison. In addition to conducting the Chamber Choir and Harrison Singers, he also teaches vocal techniques, music theory, and music history. Mr. Ridgley holds a Master's of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas.
Previously Mr. Ridgley taught in South Carolina where his choirs consistently received superior ratings at the South Carolina State Choral Festival. He has also served as an adjudicator and clinician both at the middle and high-school level. He is member of the Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Vocal Association, and the American Choral Directors Association.