| A Using your voice well | ||
|---|---|---|
| Understands the need for regular practice and: | Initials | Date |
| 1 Posture: Understands how to stand and kneel while singing and demonstrate good posture in rehearsals/concerts and performances. | ||
| 2 Performance: Consistently holds his or her music correctly and sings all the verses of hymns and psalms. | ||
| 3 Breathing: understands the importance of breath control. | ||
| 4 Breath Management: demonstrates good breath management by singing with an even tone. | ||
| 5 Sound Production: has found a comfortable register in which to sing and can demonstrate this by singing with even tone an ascending and descending scale of at least one octave. | ||
| 6 Diction: sings with clear diction, producing good pure vowels and clear consonants. | ||
| 7 Hymn: can sing a verse of a hymn with clear diction and projection, good even tone and continuity between the notes of a phrase. | ||
| 8 Responses: can sing the “Ferial” response to “O Lord open thou our lips” and the “Folk Mass” response “The Lord is hear” | ||
| 9 Gloria: can sing the Psalter Gloria from memory to a simple chant. | ||
| B Musical Skills and Understanding | ||
|---|---|---|
| Demonstrated that he/she knows and understands: | Initials | Date |
| 1 Pitch Names: the pitch names of the notes of the treble or bass clef (or staff). | ||
| 2 Note Values: the basic note values and their equivalent rests. | ||
| 3 Scales: the concept of scales and the pattern of the major scale. | ||
| 4 Accidentals: the concept of accidentals. | ||
| 5 Key Signatures: the key signatures of C, F and G major. | ||
| 6 Time Signatures: the concept of bars (measures) and simple time signatures (2/4, 3/4 4/4, 2/2) | ||
| 7 Dynamics: Know about the dynamic marks pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff, crescendo and diminuendo marks | ||
| C Practical Musical Skills | ||
|---|---|---|
| Demonstrates that he/she is able to: | Initials | Date |
| 1 Scales: sing, unaccompanied, a major scale (ascending and descending) of one octave. The key chord and tonic will first be sounded. | ||
| 2 Melody: sing back a simple melody. The key chord and tonic will first be sounded and the pulse indicated. The melody will be played twice. | ||
| 3 Rhythm: clap back a simple rhythm. The pulse will first be indicated and the test played twice. | ||
| 4 Pulse: tap the pulse of a passage of music in 2 or 3 time. The passage will be played twice and on the second playing the singer should tap the beat and stress where the strong beat falls. They should then state whether it is in 2 or 3 time. | ||
| 5 Sight Reading Rhythm: clap or sing on one note, a simple rhythm from sight. C, F and G major. | ||
| 6 Sight Reading Melody: sing a simple step-wise melody from sight on any vowel. | ||
| 7 Following the Music: follow the music of a hymn as it is played or sung. | ||
| 8 Watching the Conductor: watch the conductor for stops and starts, getting louder and quieter. | ||
| D Repertoire and Joining in | ||
|---|---|---|
| Title of Piece: | Initials | Date |
| 1 Find out who composed the piece and when? | ||
| 2 Read aloud the text of a piece (in English only) | ||
| 3 Make simple observations about the meaning of the text and the mood of the piece. | ||
| E Belonging to the choir | ||
|---|---|---|
| Initials | Date | |
| 1 Attendance: is a committed and punctual member of the choir who informs the choir trainer before being absent from rehearsals or services/concerts. | ||
| 2 Behaviour: is focused during rehearsals and services/concerts. | ||
| 3 Blending: Understands that he/she is singing as part of a group and that he/she needs to contribute to the overall sound. | ||
| 4 Team sense: Work well in the team and obey simple instructions. | ||
| 5 Punctuality: Be ready and on time for rehearsals and services/concerts. | ||
| F General Training | ||
|---|---|---|
| Initials | Date | |
| 1 Choir routine: Take a lead in maintaining the smooth running of the choir. | ||
| 2 Be Organised: Be alert, know what is coming next and ensure you have all the music you need before rehearsals. | ||
| 3 Care of music and Robes: Keep your music and robes tidy and ensure the vestry is left tidy. | ||
| 4 Leading: Sit, kneel and stand with good posture giving a firm lead at all times. | ||
