Pre-Choir Class Syllabus

Kim Bonine, M.Ed.

Mary Lillard Leopard Choir Director
kimberlybonine@misdmail.org
817.276.6281
leopardchoir.weebly.com
The goal of the exploratory choir is to build the fundamental skills of music literacy and
performance. The pre-choir experience will be an introduction to something they will hopefully
want to continue next year and even throughout life. Fifth grade students will participate in
choir for one grading period. Students will perform a variety of songs, including the National
Anthem. This class will develop the skills of healthy tone production, rhythmic value, and
solfege. At the end of the session, there will be a presentation for the other fifth grade music
classes.

The students will be provided opportunities to:

1) Develop leadership skills, responsibility, diligence, and an ability to cooperate with
others as a team member.
2) Develop critical listening skills. The student will be provided opportunities to recognize
quality of sound, pitch, style, tempo, rhythm, timbre, balance, phrasing, dynamics, and
articulation.
3) Be introduced to understanding and using note values, rests, musical terms, signs and
symbols.
4) Be introduced to proper vocal technique, correct posture, breathing technique, good
tone, and rhythmic skill.
5) Develop music reading skills. The student will be provided opportunities to interpret
musical symbols and terms through singing.
6) Be introduced to sight reading and be able to sight read short passages using the
Curwen handsigns and solfege.

Grading
The students grade will be calculated using these categories:
Participation/Daily Work 50%
Tests/Major Projects 40%
Homework 10%
Participation/Daily Work:
Tests/Major Projects:
Homework:

Includes participation in daily activities and completion

of in-class assignments.
Includes written and/or participation tests, and
end-of-rotation performance.
Includes any assignments sent home to be returned to school.

6th grade Leopard Choir

Should your child choose choir for their year-long elective in sixth grade, they will be given
many leadership and performance opportunities. Below, Ive listed some of the highlights of
being a choir member.

3-4 evening concerts

Choir camp in August (team building, singing, games and pizza)
Participation in a judged choir competition
MISD Toys for Tots performance
Perform the National Anthem at a Collegiate sporting event
Opportunity to be in a leadership role as a part of the Choir Council

Choir social events

I look forward to working with your student and also am excited to have the
opportunity to watch them grow into a fine musician over the next few weeks!

Kim Bonine