Middle School Vocal Programs

Middle School Vocal Music Faculty

Mr. Stephone Gaines
Director of Vocal Activities (7-12)
sgaines@nutleyschools.org 

Ensembles

Chorale

Chorale is designed for students who want to gain singing experience and develop vocal/music skills. Performances are an integral part of the course and include concerts, competitions, festivals and special events, which will be outlined in a performance calendar.

This course requires students to take into account basic vocal production, beginning theory/fundamentals, historical context, musical elements, and appropriate performance practice. Students will build and develop music and singing skills through the study, analysis and performance of a variety of age/level appropriate choral repertoire.

Successful completion of this course will be measured through class participation, sight singing exercises, as well as performance assessments.

Concert Choir

Concert Choir is designed for students who want to explore music and perform in a large ensemble. Performances are an integral part of the course and include concerts, competitions, festivals and special events, which will be outlined in a performance calendar.

This course requires students to take into account proper vocal production, basic theory/fundamentals, historical context, musical elements, and appropriate performance practice. Students will build and develop music skills through the study, analysis and performance of a variety of choral repertoire.

Successful completion of this course will be measured through class participation, sight-singing exercises, as well as performance assessment

Debonaires

Debonaires is designed for middle school girls who want to participate in a women’s choir and develop vocal technique and musicianship skills. Performances are an integral part of the course and include concerts, competitions, and festivals, which will be outlined in a performance calendar.

This course requires students to perform with proper vocal technique, understand and apply basic music theory concepts, analyze and describe the historical and cultural context of music, utilize the expressive qualities of music, and demonstrate an ability to read music. Students will develop skills through the study, analysis, and performance of age-appropriate treble/women’s choral repertoire and sight-singing exercises.

Successful completion of this course will be measured through class participation, repertoire and sight-singing testing, as well as performance assessments.

Vocal Music Lessons

Vocal Music Lessons is designed for students in grades 7 and 8 who wish to further refine their vocal technique in a small, homogenous group setting. This course typically meets once a week during either lunch of physical education/health class. This course requires students to understand and apply music fundamentals, musical elements, historical context, relation of music to the other arts, and appropriate performance practice. Students will build and develop skills through the study of vocal-specific methods, breathing techniques, aural skills, and vocal technique.

Successful completion of this course will be measured through weekly lesson attendance, class participation, ongoing testing and skills assessments, and a year-end evaluation.