Weaver Academy Vocal Music


The Arts Academy is a full-time high school option for grades 9-12. Students may apply to their area of interest by completing the application process and audition requirements. Program Instructors
		Donna Brotherton brothed@gcsnc.com Vocal Arts	Sam Doyle doyles@gcsnc.com Music Theory
Vocal Music Curriculum
	The Weaver Academy Vocal Department is made up of students chosen through a competitive audition process and is committed to providing an advanced vocal education to high school students from across Guilford County. The department has established a reputation of superior performance and musical excellence throughout Guilford County and the state of North Carolina. In addition to the Weaver Academy Chorale, students of the vocal department experience a wide range of music classes that complement and enhance the vocal/choral training they receive, including Basic Musicianship, Class Piano, Music History and Music Theory. The department offers a full season of choral concerts, competitions, travel and various additional performance opportunities. Principle Area Courses and Projects Vocal Music Principles will successfully complete the following courses with an unweighted “B” as a final semester grade or higher: Freshmen year – Studio Voice I (2 semesters) • Vocal Music I is a voice class consisting of intensive training in the basic skills necessary to become a successful vocalist. The class focuses on learning principles of vocal hygiene, the vocal mechanism, and vocal technique. Students will become acquainted with the International Phonetic Alphabet, and how to use it as a tool for proper vowel and consonant formation in English, Latin, Italian, French and German pronunciation. Vocal students work extensively on vocal performance skills and will sing solo performances on a regular basis. In the second semester of Academy Vocal Music I, a chorus is formed through which students continue to study vocal technique and diction skills. The chorus will perform on the Weaver Academy Choral Concert at the end of each quarter of the second semester. They will also perform at the annual NCMEA Solo/Ensemble Festival and individuals will be encouraged to perform as soloists. Students will also be encouraged to audition for All-County Chorus, the Mars Hill Choral Festival and the All-State Choral Festival. Sophomore year – Chorale (2 semesters) • The Chorale is a select, mixed chamber vocal ensemble that performs advanced choral repertoire. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of musical time periods, styles and languages. Students will continue to study vocal technique and diction skills. The Chorale will perform at the NCMEA Solo/Ensemble Festival in the Spring and individuals will be encouraged to perform as soloists. Students will also be encouraged to audition for All-County Chorus, the Mars Hill Choral Festival and the All-State Choral Festival. Members of the Academy Chorale are strongly encouraged to take private voice lessons to support and supplement their training at Weaver Academy. Junior year – Vocal Music III and Honors Vocal Music III (1 semester each) • In addition to the above course description, students in Vocal Music III are expected to be musical leaders of the Chorale. In addition to the above course description, students in Honors Vocal Music III are expected to take positions of organizational leadership, including those of choir officers and section leaders. Senior year –Vocal Music IV and Honors Vocal Music IV (1 semester each) • In addition to the above course description, students in Vocal Music IV are expected to be proficient in choral techniques, vocal techniques, diction, sight singing and music theory. In addition to the above course description, students in Honors Vocal Music IV are expected to be musical and organizational leaders of the Chorale, and to be proactive in assisting other students learn music and develop positive and productive habits of choral performance and rehearsal etiquette. Senior Voice Recital (Capstone Art Project) (2nd semester Senior year-part of Voice IV) • Designed to prepare students for undergraduate auditions. (Note: This is in addition and not related to Senior English class “Graduation Project”) Assessments • Student’s artistic work will be assessed by faculty at the end of each semester. This is viewed as “real world” experience in the form of a professional interview or audition. Supporting Courses In addition, Vocal Music Principles will successfully complete the following courses with an unweighted “C” as a final semester grade or higher: Class Piano (1 semester) (typically Freshman or Sophomore year) • This course will provide basic music reading skills at the keyboard through the development of successful problem-solving and practice habits. Regular playing skills tests featuring rudimentary solo and ensemble pieces will be given to assess each student’s progress. Basic Musicianship (1 semester) (typically Freshman or Sophomore year) • This course serves as an introduction to fundamentals in music. Students will experience critical listening, introduction to classical literature, instrumental and vocal identification, basic theoretical knowledge, and music reading skills. The student will be challenged to take an in-depth look at music’s importance and relevance to society. This course will also include the explorations of music halls, recitals, concerts and performance procedures and etiquette. This course is meant to provide a solid foundation and stepping stone to music theory, music history, and the serious study of music performance at the Weaver Academy. Music History (1 semester) (typically Junior year) • This course seeks to foster an appreciation of Western European and alternative forms of music as well as a familiarity with trends, terms, and musical personalities associated with them. Listening to a wide variety of music, within each style period, will be emphasized. Students will be trained to listen to music with a critical ear to detect musical elements (melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, form) that are associated with different stylistic periods and musical genres. A college-level Music Appreciation text is used. Music Theory (1 semester) (typically Senior year, first semester) • This course emphasizes a thorough review of music fundamentals as a precursor to AP Music Theory. Attention is given to the areas of key signatures, scale construction, and triad construction/inversion. Rudimentary exercises in four-part figured bass realization will be assigned throughout the course. The course will also include the development of sight singing as well as melodic/harmonic dictation skills within the common-practice tonal tradition. AP Music Theory (1 semester) (typically Senior year, second semester) • The students will master those aspects of Music Theory which will enable them to be successful in taking the College Board examination in this topic area. Emphasis will be given to the areas of harmonization/part writing, aural dictation, and sight-singing skills. Melodic, form, and harmonic analysis assignments as well as creative composition exercises will be assigned throughout the course. The course will also include the development of listening skills using standard (common practice) Western tonal repertoire.
Application Process Application must be hand-written by the student. Parent/Guardian signature is required on the last page. Rising 9th graders should include a copy of their most recent 8th grade report card and documentation of computer competency tests that have been taken. Rising 10th graders should include a transcript along with proof that all 8th grade end-of-grade and computer competency skills have been passed. A copy of your child’s immunization records is required. Two letters of recommendation must be included in the packet: one from your school administrator, counselor, or a teacher and one from an instructor in your specialized area who can address your talents, abilities, and potential. Applicants with an IEP must have parent/guardian secure a copy of the IEP and include it in the packet. Only completed application packets will be reviewed by the Weaver Academy Admissions Committee. Only candidates with complete application packets will be contacted to schedule an audition and personal interview. Weaver Academy only offers an honors curriculum, therefore, students will be selected who exhibit characteristics necessary for success. Following the interview, students will be notified of their acceptance/non-acceptance into the program. All acceptances are contingent on applicant providing proof that all EOGs and Algebra I End-of-Course test have been passed. *Click here for complete PVA Curriculum and CAMY Award requirements*
Auditions Vocal Music students should:
Be prepared to sing two pieces of music, one from memory. Provide music for the judges. If accompanied, you may bring a recorded accompaniment. If you need an accompanist, call the school to arrange this. Be prepared to demonstrate your vocal range. Expect to sight-read a rhythm and sight-sing a melody. A personal interview will be conducted at the time of audition.