Position Statements

Vocal music is an essential part of the human experience, which enables us to understand ourselves both as individuals and members of society.

An effective vocal music education program should be based on a cumulative sequence of musical experiences that nourish the continuous growth of students in these broad areas: knowing, listening, reading, writing, performing, analyzing, creating and assessing music. As a result of study in vocal music, students will develop the affective qualities of fulfillment, joy and pleasure in excellent performance.

Vocal music education has a dual obligation in helping students reach their highest potential in music.

The first obligation is to develop the aesthetic sensitivity to music of all people regardless of their level of musical talent, for their own personal benefit, for the benefit of society which needs an active cultural life, and for the benefit of the art of music which depends upon a continuing supply of sympathetic sensitive consumers. The adult life of every student is enriched by the skills, knowledge and habits acquired in the study of music.

The second is to develop the talents of musically gifted learners for their own benefit and the benefit of the art of music, which depends on a continuing supply of composers, performers, conductors, scholars and teachers. These obligations are mutually supportive.

Goals

Through participation in the choirs, the student will:

• Sing with proper vocal technique, as it relates to posture, breathing, phonation, resonance, and articulation.
• Understand the musical parameters of melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, texture and text as they apply to the preparation and performance of choral music.
• Possess skill in sight-reading.
• Understand fundamental musical terminology as it relates to choral music.
• Learn and memorize representative choral literature from a variety of styles.
• Appreciate the aesthetic nature of the art of choral music from various styles.

The Study and Use of Sacred Choral Music at Waconia High School

The classroom study and subsequent performance of sacred choral literature has been approved and protected by a series of decisions rendered by the United states Federal Court of Appeals; specifically in the Eighth Circuit case of Floury vs. Sioux Falls (South Dakota) School District, 1978; and in the Tenth Circuit case of Bauchman vs. West High School (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1995. These rulings guarantee that the performance of sacred choral music in the public schools does not violate the provisions of the Constitution of the United States, or the First Amendment, which provides for the separation of church and state.

In addition, position statements from two professional music education organizations advance the following: “It is the position of the Music Educators national Conference that the study and performance of religious music within an educational context is a vital and appropriate part of a comprehensive music curriculum. The omission of sacred music from the school curriculum would result in an incomplete educational experience.”

In selecting sacred choral music for classroom study, “ The Study of Music from a Sacred Tradition” approved by the American Choral Directors Association states the following: “ Any work of art studied or performed should be selected for its inherent beauty of structure and form…The study of such works of art can enhance one’s understanding and appreciation of a cultural product which a particular tradition has fostered. Music should be selected on its own merits as an art form, and as a cultural object for study, which enhance the understanding of the cultural development of a particular movement in human civilization.

It is the intent of the Waconia High School vocal music program to expose our students to the classroom study and performance of the highest caliber of choral literature, whether it to be from a sacred or secular tradition. Subsequently, in no way should this informed study suggest or forward the notion that this program promotes or advances a specific religion or religious doctrine. Rather, it is our position that we study both sacred and secular choral literature for its inherent art and value to society throughout the ages; and through its public performance, understand its place and contribution to the aesthetic arts which continue to inspire and elevate the human spirit in all times and places.

Further it is the goal of this choral music department to annually program a wide variety of sacred and secular works that provide a proper balance and appropriate proportion in our study and performance of choral music.