Brenda Williams » CLASS OPTIONS

CLASS OPTIONS

Welcome to the Riverdale Vocal Department! Students can choose General Music (Music Appreciation) or one of our Choirs to earn their Fine Arts Credit.

 

 

General Music: open to any student with a general interest in music and music history. This class will explore a wide variety of musical concepts, including the evolution of music through a Music History unit, exploring Musical Artists, Comparing/Contrasting popular songs performed by multiple artists; a Song Lyric unit, and will also explore the creation of music through loops using SoundTrap. 

 

 

CHOIRS:

 

The Women's Chorale and Men's Ensemble just require a love and desire to sing, while the more Advanced Ladies Ensemble and Riverdale Singers requires an audition with high performance expectations.

 

To go directly to a choir page, click on that choir on the menu.

Women's Chorale - open to any female, grades 9-12 - no audition required. This is a BEGINNING/INTERMEDIATE level choir of ladies who are expected to enjoy singing and seek to improve their vocal skills in an ensemble setting. Attendance at ALL performances is required.
Men's Ensemble - open to any men, grades 9-12 - no audition required. Must have a strong performance desire, as performances range from small a capella arrangements with beat boxing, to formal choral festival settings. Attendance at ALL performances is required.
Advanced Ladies Ensemble - this is the advanced ladies ensemble open to upper-level ladies (primarily grades 11-12) by audition/selection of Mrs. Williams; minimum one year choir experience at Riverdale. Mid-State audition is expected and required at this level. Private voice is a plus. Attendance at ALL performances is required.
Riverdale Singers - this is the advanced mixed ensemble open to upper level students (primarily grades 11-12) by audition/selection of Mrs. Williams; minimum one year choir experience at Riverdale, Mid-State audition is expected and required at this level; private voice is a plus. Attendance at ALL performances is required.
Auditions happen all year to be considered for a more advanced ensemble for a more challenging experience. Here are some things Mrs. Williams considers when making these selections:
  • Honor Choir selection (the surest way to get noticed)
    • Allstate 
    • MidState 
    • All-County 
  • Concert Solo participants
  • Solo-Ensemble participation
  • Leadership Skills
    • steps up/volunteers as needed
    • leadership within a section
  • Self-Motivated - because more is expected at the higher levels, students must exhibit initiative
    • eager to learn
    • self disciplined in rehearsal (i.e. posture, on-task, attentiveness, energy, etc.)
  • General Classroom Behavior
    • willingness to be on time and on task
    • willingness to just do the right thing, especially when Mrs. Williams is not present
    • gets along with others, team-player
    • positive, encouraging attitude
  • Attendance
    • obviously, students with poor attendance will not be considered for a more advanced ensemble
    • performance attendance is mandatory - students will not be considered for a more advanced ensemble if they miss performances