Lehigh Senior High School
Center for the Arts
Vocal Department
OVERVIEW:
Students selecting the vocal track will be trained in
solfege, sight reading, music theory, music history,
musical theatre, vocal techniques, and piano. All
vocal students must be in a minimum of one chorus class per semester. Vocal students will have the
opportunity to perform and be adjudicated for various Florida Vocal Association (FVA) and American
Choral Directors Association (ACDA) functions including, but not limited to:
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District and State Solo and Ensemble
FVA All State Choir
FVA Music Performance Assessment
Lee County All County Choir
Various Choral concerts
A cappella group performances
CLASS OPPORTUNITIES:
Chorus 1: This year-long, entry-level class, designed for students with little or no choral
experience, promotes the enjoyment and appreciation of music through performance of beginning choral
repertoire from a variety of times and places. Rehearsals focus on the development of critical listening
skills; foundational instrumental technique and skills, music literacy, and ensemble skills; and aesthetic
musical awareness culminating in periodic public performances.
Chorus 2-4: This year-long, formative class, designed for students with previous participation in
a school chorus who have basic knowledge of note-reading and vocal technique, concentrates on
providing students opportunities to strengthen existing skills in critical listening, vocal techniques, and
ensemble performance using high-quality three- and four-part choral literature. Rehearsals focus on
gaining independence in music literacy and aesthetic engagement through critical listening and thinking
skills.
Musical Theatre: Students will get the opportunity to increase their musical knowledge while
learning the details of well-known musicals in history. In addition, students will work on their own
musical ability through solo, duet, and group performances. Students will take part in either the
performance or technical aspects of the annual musical as a part of their class project.
Vocal Techniques: Students in this class will continue to develop musical and technical skills on
a specific voice through developmentally appropriate solo literature, etudes, scales, and exercises.
Through problem-solving, critical thinking, and reflection, students develop the physical and cognitive
skills necessary to be more disciplined performers. Public performances may serve as a culmination of
specific instructional goals.
Keyboard 1: Students will build fundamental piano techniques while learning to read music,
acquire and apply knowledge of basic music theory, and explore the role of keyboard music in history and
culture. Beginning pianists develop skills in analytical listening and explore musical creativity in the form
of basic improvisation and basic composition. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific
instructional goals.
Keyboard 2-4: Students build on previous piano techniques and skills through reading music,
acquiring and applying knowledge of music theory, and exploring the role of keyboard music in history
and culture. Students learn repertoire from various styles and time periods, exploring the historical
influence keyboards have had on music performance and composition. Students explore the basic tools of
music technology (i.e., MIDI keyboards). Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific
instructional goals.
Vocal Techniques: Students in this class will continue to develop musical and technical skills on
a specific voice through developmentally appropriate solo literature, etudes, scales, and exercises.
Through problem-solving, critical thinking, and reflection, students develop the physical and cognitive
skills necessary to be more disciplined performers. Public performances may serve as a culmination of
specific instructional goals.
Music Theory: Students discover how music works with an exploratory introduction to the
compositional process, and develop fluency in music notation and rhythmic skills, as well as knowledge
of basic form. Acquisition of basic aural and keyboard skills provides students with skills to express
themselves creatively through music.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
Each student will participate in a live audition to include the following:
Vocal:
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Students will be asked to sing a major scale which will be evaluated for tonal accuracy. Students
may sing solfege, numbers, or a neutral syllable such as “oo” or “la” – solfege is preferred.
A tonal memory exercise evaluated for tonal accuracy. Students may sing solfege, numbers, or a
neutral syllable such as “oo” or “la.” – solfege is preferred.
A rhythmic sight reading exercise evaluated for rhythmic exercise. Students may perform on
numbers (1, 2 and, 3 ee-and-ah,4) or a neutral syllable such as “ta.”
A melodic sight reading exercise evaluated for rhythmic and tonal accuracy, as well as tempo.
One song sung from memory with either live or recorded accompaniment. A cappella
performances are only acceptable if the song is a cappella. The director may stop you during your
performance. This does not indicate to you a good or bad performance – simply that the director
has heard what they needed to hear.
Keyboard:
 Students will be asked to play a two-octave major scale hands separately and hands together.
Students will be evaluated for rhythmic and tonal accuracy, as well as tempo and correct
fingering.
 A tonal memory exercise evaluated for rhythmic and tonal accuracy. The director will play a
short melody twice. After the second time, the student will be asked to play it back.
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Three sight reading exercises. One for the right hand. One for the left hand. One for hands
together. This will be evaluated for rhythmic and tonal accuracy, as well as tempo, correct
fingerings, and dynamic contrasts.
One piece of classical piano which will be evaluated for rhythmic and tonal accuracy, as well as
tempo, correct fingerings, and dynamic contrasts. Although this piece may be memorized, it is not
expected. Please bring your music
Students are expected to arrive promptly. Your audition starts as soon as you walk in the room. You are
expected to dress as you would for a performance. The only materials you will need to bring is an
accompaniment (if necessary). Parents and guardians will NOT be allowed in the audition room. You
will be expected to look and act professionally. Good luck!