Vocal Music is Science
It is exact, specific, and demands rhythmic and melody accuracy. A choir director’s score
is a chart or graph which indicates frequencies, volume changes, melody, and harmony
all at once and with the most exact control of time. In vocal music we also discuss
the structure of the vocal cords, how to maintain a healthy vocal instrument
and the vocal anatomy used to make sounds and resonance.
Vocal Music is Mathematical
It is rhythmically based on the subdivision of time into fractions which must be done instantaneously, not worked out on paper. Music theory also discusses a lot of these
subdivisions as we learn how to read music and understand its notation.
Vocal Music is a Foreign Language
Most of the terms are in Italian, German, or French; and the notation is certainly not English
but a highly developed kind of shorthand that uses symbols to represent ideas. The
semantics of music is the most complete and universal language in the world. In addition,
in vocal music we learn to sing in foreign languages as a part of a well rounded
music education that connects history with sung poetry.
Vocal Music is History
Music usually reflects the environment and times of its creation, often even the country and/or cultural feelings. In vocal music we are always discussing composers and the historical significance of why a piece was composed during a certain time period and the overall meaning of the text.
Vocal Music is Physical Education
It requires fantastic coordination and control of the lips, tongue, facial muscles, diaphragm,
back, stomach, and the chest muscles which respond instantly to the sound the ear hears
and the mind interprets. In vocal music we always discuss how to breathe accurately
in order to sing as well as how to use abdominal muscles to support the voice.
Vocal Music is Language Arts
We are singing written texts, interpreting, discussing, analyzing,
writing, and composing poetry all the time.
Vocal Music is ALL of these things, but most of all…
Vocal Music is an Art
It allows a human being to take all of these dry, technically boring but difficult
techniques and use them to create emotion. That is one thing science
cannot duplicate; human feeling, emotion, call it what you will.
THAT IS WHY WE TEACH MUSIC!
Not because we expect you to major in music.
Not because we expect you to play or sing all your life.
But...
...So you will be human.
...So you will recognize beauty.
...So you will be sensitive.
...So you will be closer to an infinite beyond this world.
...So you will have something to retain for enrichment.
...So you will have more love, more compassion, more gentleness.
...In short, more LIFE!
Of what value will it be to make a prosperous living unless you know how to live?
THAT IS WHY WE TEACH MUSIC!
It is exact, specific, and demands rhythmic and melody accuracy. A choir director’s score
is a chart or graph which indicates frequencies, volume changes, melody, and harmony
all at once and with the most exact control of time. In vocal music we also discuss
the structure of the vocal cords, how to maintain a healthy vocal instrument
and the vocal anatomy used to make sounds and resonance.
Vocal Music is Mathematical
It is rhythmically based on the subdivision of time into fractions which must be done instantaneously, not worked out on paper. Music theory also discusses a lot of these
subdivisions as we learn how to read music and understand its notation.
Vocal Music is a Foreign Language
Most of the terms are in Italian, German, or French; and the notation is certainly not English
but a highly developed kind of shorthand that uses symbols to represent ideas. The
semantics of music is the most complete and universal language in the world. In addition,
in vocal music we learn to sing in foreign languages as a part of a well rounded
music education that connects history with sung poetry.
Vocal Music is History
Music usually reflects the environment and times of its creation, often even the country and/or cultural feelings. In vocal music we are always discussing composers and the historical significance of why a piece was composed during a certain time period and the overall meaning of the text.
Vocal Music is Physical Education
It requires fantastic coordination and control of the lips, tongue, facial muscles, diaphragm,
back, stomach, and the chest muscles which respond instantly to the sound the ear hears
and the mind interprets. In vocal music we always discuss how to breathe accurately
in order to sing as well as how to use abdominal muscles to support the voice.
Vocal Music is Language Arts
We are singing written texts, interpreting, discussing, analyzing,
writing, and composing poetry all the time.
Vocal Music is ALL of these things, but most of all…
Vocal Music is an Art
It allows a human being to take all of these dry, technically boring but difficult
techniques and use them to create emotion. That is one thing science
cannot duplicate; human feeling, emotion, call it what you will.
THAT IS WHY WE TEACH MUSIC!
Not because we expect you to major in music.
Not because we expect you to play or sing all your life.
But...
...So you will be human.
...So you will recognize beauty.
...So you will be sensitive.
...So you will be closer to an infinite beyond this world.
...So you will have something to retain for enrichment.
...So you will have more love, more compassion, more gentleness.
...In short, more LIFE!
Of what value will it be to make a prosperous living unless you know how to live?
THAT IS WHY WE TEACH MUSIC!
The Truth about Choir
Why join a Choir Program?
Becoming a part of an arts program is invaluable to success as a student here Hambrick Middle School and I hope that you choose choir to fill that role.
Long Term Goals/Competitions
UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Competition:
We will spend an entire year preparing for a competition performing three songs and one sight-reading piece for judges from across the state. Unlike some sports activities we don’t have a game each week. All focus is put onto our one big competition each year!
All-Region Choir:
In middle School, about 1500 students audition from 6 school districts around Houston. This audition process whittles down the pool of students to the top 120 singers. They then get to perform at the All-Region Choir Concert together and receive recognition. Going through the audition process in middle school gives students an upper hand at being prepared for the All-State Choir audition in high school where students receive statewide recognition.
The Truth is in the Facts
~In 2019, the average SAT score of all students in the Texas All-State Mixed Choir was 1272
~In 2019, the average SAT score of all students in the Texas All-State Treble Choir was 1253
~In 2019, the average SAT score of all students in the Texas All-State Tenor-Bass Choir was 1250
~In 2019, the average SAT score across in the state of Texas was 1022
Students who dedicate themselves to an Arts program are more successful in all areas of study and better prepared to enter college and the professional world because of it.
How to Choose?
As each student now has the ability to choose their own electives and it can become nerve-wrecking. There are some awesome classes available to students here at Hambrick, but you have to find balance between academics, the arts, and electives.
As a side note, being in Choir will not prevent any student from participating in Athletics, GT classes, Foreign Language classes, or other High School Credit classes. Don’t forget that there are some classes that differ from choir and are only a semester long. This will also play a role and potentially conflict with how you choose electives.
Becoming a part of an arts program is invaluable to success as a student here Hambrick Middle School and I hope that you choose choir to fill that role.
Long Term Goals/Competitions
UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Competition:
We will spend an entire year preparing for a competition performing three songs and one sight-reading piece for judges from across the state. Unlike some sports activities we don’t have a game each week. All focus is put onto our one big competition each year!
All-Region Choir:
In middle School, about 1500 students audition from 6 school districts around Houston. This audition process whittles down the pool of students to the top 120 singers. They then get to perform at the All-Region Choir Concert together and receive recognition. Going through the audition process in middle school gives students an upper hand at being prepared for the All-State Choir audition in high school where students receive statewide recognition.
The Truth is in the Facts
~In 2019, the average SAT score of all students in the Texas All-State Mixed Choir was 1272
~In 2019, the average SAT score of all students in the Texas All-State Treble Choir was 1253
~In 2019, the average SAT score of all students in the Texas All-State Tenor-Bass Choir was 1250
~In 2019, the average SAT score across in the state of Texas was 1022
Students who dedicate themselves to an Arts program are more successful in all areas of study and better prepared to enter college and the professional world because of it.
How to Choose?
As each student now has the ability to choose their own electives and it can become nerve-wrecking. There are some awesome classes available to students here at Hambrick, but you have to find balance between academics, the arts, and electives.
As a side note, being in Choir will not prevent any student from participating in Athletics, GT classes, Foreign Language classes, or other High School Credit classes. Don’t forget that there are some classes that differ from choir and are only a semester long. This will also play a role and potentially conflict with how you choose electives.