IMPORTANT DATES

Aug 23 – LeTourneau University All-Region Workshop
Sept 6 – Navarro College All-Region Clinic
Sept 20 – HS All-Region Auditions, Sulphur Springs
Oct 18 – MS Auditions
Nov 8 – Region Concert & Workshop, Mount Pleasant
Nov 13 – Pre-Area Auditions, Mount Pleasant
Dec 11 – Tentative Christmas Concert – this will probably have to change due to UIL conflicts
Jan 11 – Area Auditions, SFA
Feb 7 – Tentative Solo & Ensemble
Mar 4 – Concert & Sightreading, Mount Pleasant HS

Middle School

• October 18 Sulphur Springs – would love a parent volunteer to come with us

      All Region Workshop and  All-Region Concert – November 8 (Evening)

• Workshop during the day; parents attend the evening performance. Students will ride the bus to the event in the morning, then ride home with their parents after the concert. If a parent cannot attend, please let me know in advance who will be responsible for transportation home.Christmas Concert – December 11

   

  •  

• Middle School Choir – Region Audition & Concert Literature Lesson Plans

  Focus: Preparing All-Region Audition & Concert Literature
  Grade Level: 6th–8th (Treble & TB)
  Week: [Insert Date]

  Objectives

  • Students will demonstrate proper vocal technique in SSA and TB repertoire.

  • Students will identify key signatures, rhythms, and expressive markings in assigned pieces.

  • Students will apply sight-reading strategies according to UIL guidelines.

  • Students will refine tone, blend, balance, and diction for performance readiness.

  Materials

  • Octavos:
    • MS Treble: Come at Dawn (Eugene Butler), Cool Moon (Richardson Williamson), Ad Astra (Jacob Narverud)

    • MS Tenor/Bass: Black Riders Came from the Sea (Paul David Thomas), I Think My Love So Fair (Laura Farnell), Bring Me Back to My Heart (Jim Papoulis)

  • Sight-reading materials

  • Keyboard or piano

  • Audio recordings (if available)

  Procedures & Activities

  Day 1 – Warm-Up & Key Analysis

  • Warm-Ups: Focus on breath support and vowel unification.

  • Discuss the key signature, time signature, and form for each piece.

  • Sing through sections using solfege and rhythm syllables.

  Day 2 – Part-Specific Work

  • Split by section (Treble/TB) for targeted rehearsal.

  • Treble: Begin with Come at Dawn, emphasize phrasing and dynamics.

  • TB: Begin with Black Riders Came from the Sea, focus on articulation and tempo.

  Day 3 – Sight-Reading & Interpretation

  • UIL Sight-Reading Practice: Rhythmic and melodic patterns.

  • Discuss text meaning and emotional intent for interpretation.

  Day 4 – Blend & Balance

  • Combine sections, focus on intonation and blend.

  • Practice staggered breathing and shaping phrases musically.

  Day 5 – Run-Through & Evaluation

  • Full run-through of all pieces.

  • Peer and teacher feedback using rubric (tone, diction, dynamics, accuracy).

  Assessment

  • Formative: Daily participation, sectionals, sight-reading checks.

  • Summative: Performance evaluation using Region audition rubrics (pitch, rhythm, tone, diction, interpretation).

  Aligned TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) – Middle School Choir

  • 117.114. Music, Middle School 1–3 (Grades 6–8), Adopted 2013
  • (1) Foundations: Music literacy
    • (A) Read, write, and reproduce rhythmic and melodic patterns using standard notation.

    • (B) Interpret music symbols and terminology.

  • (2) Creative expression
    • (A) Sing literature in unison and parts, demonstrating correct intonation and rhythm.

    • (B) Demonstrate vocal technique: posture, breathing, tone quality, diction.

  • (3) Historical and cultural relevance
    • (A) Perform a varied repertoire of music representing diverse styles and cultures.

  • (4) Critical evaluation and response
    • (A) Evaluate musical performances and articulate constructive feedback.

    • (B) Analyze musical elements and interpret expressive qualities.

  Would you like me to:
  ✅ Create separate lesson plans for Treble and TB groups with piece-specific objectives and strategies, or
  ✅ Keep them combined in one master plan like above?

  Lesson Plans  August 25-29

  MOnday – Detailed plans for sub

  Tuesday – Friday

  6th Grade

  Review Golden

  Go over sol Feg

  Pick new Song

  Written Sol Feg

  New Rhythm Pattern

  Begin Elijah Rock

  7th/8th

  Go over all Girls and Boys Songs

  MS Region Audition & Concert Literature

  MS Treble:

  Come at Dawn Eugene Butler SSA

  Cool Moon Richardson Williamson SSA

  Ad Astra Jacob Narverud SSA

  MS Tenor/Bass:

  Black Riders Came from the Sea Paul David Thomas TB

  I Think My Love So Fair Laura Farnell TB

  Bring Me Back to My Heart Jim Papoulis TB

  Varsity

  Warm Ups

  Focus on one All Region Song each Day

  Sightreading in the Key of F

  Discuss what we learned at LeTourneau Vocal Workshop

  Start Registering for All Region Auditions

  I will work with one part individually each day Tuesday Tenors

  Wednesday Sopranos

  Thursday Bass

  Friday Alto

IMPORTANT DATES

Aug 23 – LeTourneau University All-Region Workshop
Sept 6 – Navarro College All-Region Clinic
Sept 20 – HS All-Region Auditions, Sulphur Springs
Oct 18 – MS Auditions
Nov 8 – Region Concert & Workshop, Mount Pleasant
Nov 13 – Pre-Area Auditions, Mount Pleasant
Dec 11 – Tentative Christmas Concert – this will probably have to change due to UIL conflicts
Jan 11 – Area Auditions, SFA
Feb 7 – Tentative Solo & Ensemble
Mar 4 – Concert & Sightreading, Mount Pleasant HS

Middle School

• October 18 Sulphur Springs – would love a parent volunteer to come with us

      All Region Workshop and  All-Region Concert – November 8 (Evening)

• Workshop during the day; parents attend the evening performance.

• Students will ride the bus to the event in the morning, then ride home with their parents after the concert. If a parent cannot attend, please let me know in advance who will be responsible for transportation home.

  Christmas Concert – December 11

 

 

August 18–22 Lesson Plans

ALL CLASSES

Focus: Review procedures, organization, and vocal foundations
Objectives:

• Reinforce classroom expectations and choir procedures.

• Prepare all necessary supplies and materials for rehearsal.

• Develop vocal tone, posture, and breath support through daily warm-ups.

Activities:

• Daily: Vocal warm-ups, posture check, breath exercises

• Review classroom rules, choir procedures, and expectations

• Ensure all students have music folders and pencils

TEKS Alignment:

• MS: 117.112 (b)(1)(A)(B)(C), (b)(3)(A)(B), (b)(4)(A)

• HS: 117.315 (c)(1)(A)(B), (c)(2)(A)(B), (c)(3)(A)(B)(C)
  (Addresses: Foundations of music literacy, Creative expression, Historical/cultural relevance, Critical evaluation.)

VARSITY (High School Advanced Choir)

Focus: All-Region & Pre-Area Repertoire + Music Literacy
Objectives:

• Begin sectional rehearsals and full ensemble work on All-Region music.

• Strengthen sight-reading skills and tonal memory.

• Review key signatures and tonal centers.

Activities by Day:

• Warm-Up: Finish Key of C, introduce major/minor scale variations

• Sight-Reading: Daily exercises in varying meters

• Key Signature Drill: Daily practice recognizing signatures in current music

Repertoire Schedule:

• Monday: Dixit Dominus

• Tuesday: To Propagate a Home

• Wednesday: Son De La Loma

• Thursday: Stabat Mater / The Fire Dance of Luna

• Friday: Patterns on the Snow

TEKS Alignment (HS):

• 117.315 (c)(1)(A)(B)(C): Read, write, and reproduce standard music notation and rhythms

• 117.315 (c)(2)(A)(B): Perform literature representing different styles and cultures

• 117.315 (c)(3)(A): Expressive performance with accurate intonation and phrasing

• 117.315 (c)(4)(A)(B): Critical evaluation and reflection on performance quality

6TH GRADE (Beginning Choir)

Focus: Solfege Basics & Introduction to Ensemble Singing
Objectives:

• Learn and practice the solfege scale with hand signs.

• Explore tone production and ensemble awareness.

• Begin simple unison and 2-part music.

Activities:

• Monday–Thursday:
  • Learn solfege scale (Do–Do) with Curwen hand signs

  • Practice “Your Ways Better” (student-selected)

  • Teacher-selected beginner piece for pitch matching and phrasing

• Friday: Choir community day – games and talent showcase

TEKS Alignment (MS):

• 117.112 (b)(1)(A)(B): Develop singing posture, breath control, tone production

• 117.112 (b)(2)(A)(B): Identify music symbols and apply solfege to melodies

• 117.112 (b)(3)(A): Perform in groups demonstrating ensemble skills

• 117.112 (b)(4)(A)(B): Evaluate music performances

7TH & 8TH GRADE (Intermediate Choir)

Focus: Solfege Application & All-Region Preparation
Objectives:

• Review and apply solfege in major and minor scales.

• Begin written solfege notation exercises for literacy.

• Introduce All-Region repertoire by voice part.

Activities:

• Monday–Thursday:
  • Solfege drills (with notation)

  • Written exercises: Identify pitch names and syllables

  • Start All-Region songs:
    • Soprano/Alto: Ad Astra

    • Tenor/Bass: Black Riders

    • If time, introduce third competition piece

• Friday: Sectional review and singing check-ins

TEKS Alignment (MS):

• 117.113 (b)(1)(A)(B): Refine vocal technique and musical literacy

• 117.113 (b)(2)(A)(B)(C): Read standard notation and apply to performance

• 117.113 (b)(3)(A): Perform music expressively with dynamics and phrasing

• 117.113 (b)(4)(A)(B): Self-assessment and peer critique

Week 1 – All Classes

Lesson Focus: Getting to Know You, Rules & Procedures, Beginning Warm-ups, Intro to Sightreading

Grade Level(s): Middle School (6–8) & High School (Varsity)

Objectives

• Build classroom community and establish procedures.

• Demonstrate proper posture, breathing, and tone during warm-ups.

• Begin developing sightreading skills using solfège and rhythm counting.

Activities

• Day 1: Getting to Know You (Icebreaker activity, music preferences)

• Day 2: Review Rules & Procedures (discussion, practice entering/exiting, rehearsal etiquette)

• Day 3: Beginning Warm-ups (focus on posture, breath, resonance)

• Day 4: Intro to Sightreading (simple melodic/rhythmic patterns)

• Day 5: Reflection & Goal Setting (students share personal goals for choir)

Materials

• Seating chart

• Warm-up patterns (projected or printed)

• Sightreading sheets (Level 1)

• Student handbook for rules

TEKS Alignment

Middle School (§117.208):

   – (1)(A) Identify voices and instruments; demonstrate good posture and breathing.

   – (2)(A) Read and write rhythmic/melodic patterns in simple meters.

   – (3)(A) Perform with accurate pitch and rhythm during warm-ups and exercises.

   – (4)(A) Discuss personal and cultural music connections in “Getting to Know You.”

   – (5)(A) Evaluate individual and group performance during sightreading practice.

High School (§117.312):

   – (1)(A) Refine tone, intonation, and breath control during warm-ups.

   – (2)(A) Sight-read melodic and rhythmic exercises with accuracy.

   – (2)(B) Perform warm-ups and exercises with expression and proper style.

   – (3)(A) Discuss historical and cultural influences on students’ music preferences.

   – (4)(A) Reflect on ensemble balance and tone quality during sightreading.

Assessment

• Formative: Teacher observation of participation in warm-ups and icebreakers; accuracy in simple sightreading.

• Summative: Reflection sheet (student goals + self-assessment of participation).