MUSC 184: Concert Choir

Milligan College—Spring 2020

Dr. Noah DeLong

Rehearsals: TR 3:40 – 5:10 Office Hours:

Email: ndelong@milligan.edu M 2:00 – 3:00
Phone: 423-461-8791 R 2:00 – 3:30
Office: Seeger #400 F 10:00 – 12:00

Course Description: A choir of both men and women, performs extensively on campus and
throughout the United States, appearing at churches, high schools, and conventions and
appearing with professional orchestras throughout the region. Repertoire is varied and includes
classics, spirituals, hymn arrangements, and musical theater.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Actively participate in the preparation and performance of choral music.
2. Develop a healthy and versatile singing technique and apply it to ensemble singing.
3. Develop and improve sight-reading skills.
4. Demonstrate musical, textual, physical, and emotional expression in performance.
5. Utilize musical performances as an avenue for ministry both on campus and in the wider
community.

Required materials:
Folder: The required text for the course is a folder containing all music to be performed during
the semester. The folder may be picked up from the music office secretary, Rita Myers. A
returnable deposit of $25 is required to secure the folder. Students are responsible to keep this
folder and the musical contents in excellent condition. Missing or mutilated music will be
charged against the $25 deposit. Students are to bring the music folder and a pencil to ALL
rehearsals.

Attire: Formal concert attire must be purchased from the music office secretary, Rita Myers,
within the first two weeks of class. The cost for attire will be approximately $75 for women’s
dresses and jewelry and $130 for men’s tuxedos. Women are expected to provide their own jet-
black hose and closed-toe black shoes (pumps preferred; wedges, shoes with very pointed toes,
or shoes with very high heels are not appropriate). Men are expected to provide their own black
socks and black dress shoes. All singers who have shoulder-length or longer hair must wear it up
and off the face for public performances where formal concert attire is worn. Also, tattoos or
similar body artwork must be concealed for all performances, and no additional jewelry beyond
the official concert attire should be worn in performances.
Course Requirements:

 Be on time (early) for all rehearsals and performances.

 Bring music folder and a pencil to every rehearsal.
 Carefully mark your music and take notes during rehearsals.
 When required, carefully copy all score markings posted on Canvas to your score within
one week after they are announced.
 Memorize music by the announced memory check schedule (see below). “Memory
Teams” will be assigned to allow choir members to assist others in preparing for memory
checks. Also, audio recordings may be provided on YouTube or other electronic sources
to facilitate memorization.
 Maintain healthy vocal standards, and discuss any problems or concerns with the
conductor as they arise.
 Assume a positive attitude and sense of responsibility for the excellence of the ensemble.

Evaluation: A grade will be given based on attendance at rehearsals and performances, active
participation, and positive attitude.

Attendance: Because attendance at rehearsals and performances is vital to the success of any
ensemble, the Milligan Music area has adopted the following guidelines:

1. Two (2) unexcused absences from a rehearsal results in a one (1) letter grade reduction of
the final grade.
2. An unexcused absence from a rehearsal (including dress rehearsals) one week prior to a
concert will count as two (2) unexcused absences.
3. Three (3) unexcused tardies counts as one (1) unexcused absence.
4. An unexcused absence from a performance results in a two (2) letter grade reduction of
the final grade. Students with scheduling conflicts with performances should notify the
instructor by the fourth rehearsal (Jan. 23). Athletic conflicts also must be noted by this
date on the attached form.
5. The decision of whether an absence is excused or unexcused will be made by the
conductor. An absence may be excused if it is due to a class conflict, a chronic and
serious illness, an extreme family emergency, or other situation at the discretion of the
conductor.

In all absences, it is important that you notify the conductor in advance of any absence (though
proper notification does not necessarily constitute an excused absence). Students who are unable
to sing because of illness are still expected to attend rehearsals, notify the conductor in advance,
sit to the side of the room, and follow along in their music.

In addition, music majors and minors (including Worship Leadership and Fine Arts-Music) are
required to attend music department recitals. Majors must attend 90% of the scheduled recitals,
and minors must attend 75%; failure to meet all recital attendance requirements will result in a
half a letter grade (5 points) reduction in every music class final average for the semester.

Active participation and positive attitude: Although these criteria are more subjective in nature
than attendance, each singer will be held accountable for these areas for the good of the
ensemble. Students are expected to participate in all rehearsal activities with a positive attitude.
Behavior that is distracting from the rehearsal process (e.g., excessive talking, inattention, or lack
of effort) will not be tolerated. After one warning, students who exhibit such behavior will be
asked to leave rehearsal and will receive an unexcused absence for that day.

Participation will also be assessed through small-group memorization checks on the dates listed
below. Assessment will occur in groups called “Memory Teams” that will be assigned. Failure
of a memorization check will result in lowering your grade 1/2 letter grade. However, a failed
memorization check may be made up by meeting individually with the conductor to demonstrate
successful memorization. Students who have not demonstrated successful memorization as
required will not be permitted to perform.

Memory Check Schedule:

1/30 Great is the Lord

2/6 Worthy to be Praised (review) 2/27 O Love

With a Voice of Singing (review)
2/13 Joyful, Joyful (review)
4/30 The Lord Bless You and Keep You
2/20 Ascribe to the Lord (women)
Gone Home (men)

Spring Event Schedule: (no unexcused absences the week before concerts listed in bold)

1/16 (Th) 3:40 – 7:00 p.m. Welcome Back Party (Grace Meadows, Jonesborough)

2/1 (Sa) 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. “In Song” Choral Festival Rehearsals (Martin/Gregory)
7:00 p.m. “In Song” Choral Festival Concert (Martin)
2/29 – 3/1 All day Mini-Tour to North Carolina
(Sa-Su)

4/6 (M) 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Book of Ruth rehearsal with MCO (Martin)

4/13 (M) 7:15 – 9:15 p.m. Book of Ruth combined chorus rehearsal
(Central Presbyterian Church – Bristol, VA)

4/23 (Th) 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. Book of Ruth combined chorus rehearsal (Martin)
4/24 (F) 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. Book of Ruth orchestra rehearsal (Martin)
4/25 (Sa) 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. Book of Ruth dress rehearsal (Martin)
7:30 p.m. Book of Ruth concert (Martin)

5/6 (W) 4:00-5:00 p.m. Commencement rehearsal/final exam period

5/9 (Sa) 10:00 a.m. Commencement #1

2:00 p.m. Commencement #2

Note: The conductor reserves the right to schedule additional events, but only in rare
circumstances and after consultation with the choir officers.

Accommodations:
In accordance with the American Disabilities Act, Milligan is happy to provide academic
accommodations for students with disabilities. If you have completed the accommodation request
process, please contact me (the professor of this course) to discuss the implementation of the
accommodations I received from the office of disability services. If you would like accommodations but
have never submitted a formal request, refer to your catalog, pages 31 – 32 for instructions. Contact
Heather Jackson at 423.794.3088 , hjackson@milligan.edu, or by appointment in the McMahan Student
Center for assistance.

Milligan Counseling Center:

The Milligan Counseling Center offers counseling services for the health and well-being of the Milligan
community. Counseling can help with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression,
relationship difficulties, family concerns, stress, or even for pre-marital counseling. Counseling services
are free to Milligan and Emmanuel students, faculty, and staff. To schedule an appointment, please
contact the Milligan Counseling Center at CounselingCenter@milligan.edu or 423.461.8500. Voicemails
will be checked daily and calls returned within the next business day. Phone calls will not be returned on
weekends (Saturday and Sunday) or holidays.
**In case of emergency, individuals in crisis are directed to call Frontier Health’s crisis response
team at 877.928.9062 or 911.