Vocal Program
Concert Choir 15/25/35 (5 credits each)
In this choir, students develop their musical leadership through the study and performance of music from several time periods and styles. This choir is designed to challenge and broaden students’ understanding of sung repertoire and techniques involved in the performance of music in various styles, such as: classical, spiritual and art/folk music. This ensemble is open to all students in grades 10-12 who wish to be part of a musical ensemble, regardless of prior experience. Expert instruction and a strong sense of community will help all prospective singers become confident members of the Concert Choir by our first performance.
Concert Choir rehearses outside of the regular timetable two times a week.
Vocal Music - PVA Vocal Music
Vocal Music focuses on the individual development of singing tone, musical literacy, and skills related to pitch and rhythm as it pertains to solos, small group, and large ensemble work. Students will have the opportunity to develop their musical skills in a challenging and encouraging environment. Increasing their understanding of vocal artistry, students build healthy technique and musicianship skills students will be encouraged to perform in a recital and participate in Concert Choir.
Vocal Music is in the regular timetable for one semester.
Vocal Music 15 & General Music 10 (5 credits each)
Co-requisite: General Music 10 & Instrumental Music 10 Recommended
Vocal Music 25 & General Music 20 (5 credits each)
Co-requisite: General Music 20 & Instrumental Music 20 Recommended
Vocal Music 35 & General Music 30 (5 credits each)
Co-requisite: General Music 30 & Instrumental Music 30 Recommended
Chamber Choir
The Chamber Choir is an enriched version of the Concert Choir. To be in the Chamber Choir students are required to be in PVA Music and participate in an audition. This ensemble performs several times during the year in concerts, festivals, and community events. They also tour regularly. Students in this ensemble will study advanced-level repertoire in a variety of musical styles. Please see PVA Vocal for more information.
Chamber Choir rehearses outside of the regular timetable three times a week.
Chamber Choir 15 (5 credits)
Prerequisite: None
Co-requisite: PVA Music Program (PVA Vocal and PVA Musicianship 10)
Chamber Choir 25 (5 credits)
Prerequisite: PVA Vocal and PVA Musicianship 10
Chamber Choir 35 (5 credits)
Prerequisite: PVA Vocal and PVA Musicianship 20
Contempo Choir
Contempo Choir is designed to challenge and broaden students’ understanding of repertoire and techniques involved in performance of popular vocal music (jazz, pop, acapella). All members of the group are required to listen to, communicate with, and complement one another. The smaller ensemble size requires more commitment and accountability from the individual student. The jazz language is unique and offers students an opportunity for extended musical performance. Because of the challenging nature of this style of music students are required to be in the vocal music class and a large ensemble (Concert Choir or Chamber Choir) in order to develop vocal technique and general ensemble skills.
This course rehearses two times per week in the extended schedule.
Contempo Choir - Vocal Jazz 15, 25, 35 (5 credits each)
By Audition only. Co-requisite Vocal Music 10, 20 or 30 & Choral 15, 25, 35
PVA Vocal Music & General Music (5 credits each)
Vocal Music focuses on the individual development of singing tone, musical literacy, and skills related to pitch and rhythm as it pertains to solos, small group, and large ensemble work. Students will have the opportunity to develop their musical skills in a challenging and encouraging environment. Increasing their understanding of vocal artistry, students build healthy technique and musicianship skills students will be encouraged to perform in a recital and participate in Concert Choir.
PVA Vocal Music 15 & General Music 10 (5 credits each)
Prerequisite: Band 9, Music 9, or the discretion of the teacher
Co-requisite: Any Choral Ensemble Course
PVA Vocal Music 25-35 & General Music 20-30 (5 credits each)
Prerequisite: Vocal Music 15-25 & General Music 10-20 - Vocal
Co-requisite: Any Choral Ensemble Course
Ensembles available to PVA Music Students
The following ensembles are available to PVA students, and take place either before or after school 2 days a week. Placement in the PVA Ensembles are by audition and available space. If students are not quite ready for the PVA ensembles, they will take part in the Concert Ensembles (see the regular program guide) as they develop their skills.
PVA Wind Ensemble (5 credits each)
PVA Instrumental Music 15/25/35
By Audition. Co-requisite: Instrumental Music 10-20-30
In this ensemble, students develop their musical leadership through the study and performance of music from several time periods and styles. This band is designed to challenge and broaden students’ understanding of instrumental repertoire and techniques involved in the performance of music at an advanced level. This ensemble is open only to students within the PVA program with sufficient experience on their instrument.
Students must provide or rent, one of the following instruments to be involved in this ensemble: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Euphonium, Trombone, Tuba, String Bass, Percussion
PVA Chamber Ensemble 15/25/35 (5 Credits each) - Full Orchestra
Co-requisite: Instrumental Music 10-20-30
Full Orchestra is an opportunity for PVA Strings and PVA Band students to combine to explore orchestra repertoire from baroque and classical, to contemporary, movie scores, and video game music. Full orchestra has several performance opportunities throughout the year.
This course is scheduled in the extended timetable. Students enrolled in PVA Strings will be registered in the Chamber Ensemble PVA Strings Orchestra.
PVA Chamber Choir
The Chamber Choir is an enriched version of the Concert Choir. To be in the Chamber Choir students are required to be in PVA Music and participate in an audition. This ensemble performs several times during the year in concerts, festivals, and community events. They also tour regularly. Students in this ensemble will study advanced-level repertoire in a variety of musical styles. Please see PVA Vocal for more information.
Chamber Choir rehearses outside of the regular timetable three times a week.
PVA Chamber Choir 15 (5 credits)
By Audition. Co-requisite: PVA Vocal and General Music 10
PVA Chamber Choir 25-35 (5 credits)
By Audition. Co-requisite: PVA Vocal and General Music 20-30 Prerequisite: PVA Vocal and General Music 10-20
PVA Jazz I (by annual audition)
PVA Jazz I is a place for students who play saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass or drums with prior jazz experience. Students will have the opportunity to build their repertoire of jazz standards, solo improvisation skills, and play arrangements in broad styles. This ensemble is in demand for many performances throughout the year!
PVA Instrumental Jazz 15-25-35 (5 credits)
By Audition. Co-requisite: Instrumental Music 10-20-30
PVA Vocal Jazz Choir
PVA Vocal Jazz ensemble, the “Contempo Choir,” is designed to challenge and broaden students’ understanding of repertoire and techniques involved in performance of popular vocal music (jazz, pop, acapella). All members of the group are required to listen to, communicate with, and complement one another. The smaller ensemble size requires more commitment and accountability from the individual student. The jazz language is unique and offers students an opportunity for extended musical performance. Because of the challenging nature of this style of music students are required to be in the vocal music class and a large ensemble (Concert Choir or Chamber Choir) in order to develop vocal technique and general ensemble skills.
This course rehearses two times per week in the extended schedule.
PVA Vocal Jazz 15, 25, 35 (5 credits each)
By Audition only. Co-requisite Vocal Music 10, 20 or 30 & Choral 15, 25, 35
PVA Leadership in the Arts 35 / Entrepreneurial Artist (Junior Achievement)
All PVA students are enrolled in one of two courses; Leadership in the Arts 35 or Entrepreneurial Artist (Junior Achievement). These programs of study allow PVA students to explore how they see themselves as artists and become more aware of the process involved in preparing for the marketing and business aspect of being a professional in the arts community. Students will experience a variety of teacher-led assignments/activities as well as a number of student-directed online projects.
