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