CHORAL PROGRAM COURSES

Freshman Choir:  1 Credit, Ames
Students are admitted to the Freshman Choir after successful completion of 8th Grade Chorus or by audition indicating superior ability in sight-reading and vocal production. Throughout the year, Freshman Choir students work toward an autonomous musical experience. Study includes a variety of musical genres, sung in large and small ensembles, with solo opportunities that include the NYSSMA Solo Festival. Students attend Freshman Choir each day with an additional mandatory weekly rotating small-group lesson. Grading is based on progress in a number of musical disciplines, including history, theory, vocal-production, and most importantly, music reading skills. Attendance is mandatory for all school-sponsored performances.

Treble Choir:  1 Credit, MHS; open to all Treble Voices in Grade 10
Students are admitted to Treble Choir after successful completion of Freshman Choir or by audition. Vocal production and musical sensitivity are further developed for all, with emphasis on analysis and performance of the larger works of major composers. Works may include four-part unaccompanied literature and major works with English and foreign texts. A variety of performance experiences are offered, including small ensemble and solo opportunities that include the NYSSMA Solo Festival. Members are required to participate in all scheduled performances. Students attend Treble Choir each day with an additional mandatory weekly rotating small-group lesson. Practice at home is required for success in this course. Grading is based on musical development in rehearsals, performances, and lessons.  

A Cappella Choir:  1 Credit, MHS; open to male students in Grades 10 - 12 and female students in Grades 11 and 12
This course is open to students after successful completion of Freshman Choir Program (for 10th grade tenors and basses) or Treble Choir (for 11th grade altos and sopranos) or by audition indicating superior ability in sight-reading and vocal production. Vocal production and musical sensitivity are further developed for all, with emphasis on analysis and performance of the larger works of major composers. Works may include eight-part unaccompanied literature and major works with English and foreign texts.  A variety of performance experiences are offered, including small ensemble and solo opportunities that include the NYSSMA Solo Festival.  Members are required to participate in all scheduled performances. Students attend A Cappella Choir each day with an additional mandatory weekly rotating small-group lesson. Practice at home is required for success in this course. Grading is based on musical development in rehearsals, performances, and lessons.  

Crooners:  No credit, Open to Tenor and Bass students in Grades 9 - 12
Massapequa High School Crooners is a co-curricular ensemble and is an extension of the studies that take place in the choral classroom. This ensemble is geared toward more advanced singers. For this reason, anyone who wishes to audition for Crooners must be in one of the curricular choral ensembles offered at the high school level (Ames Campus or MHS Main Campus). Students wishing to audition for Crooners must meet the following criteria:

• Membership in one of the MHS choral ensembles with a minimum average of a 90
• Possess sight reading skills at Level 5 or 6 NYSSMA as determined by one of the following:
  • a NYSSMA solo evaluation (earning a minimum sight-reading score of 7 out of 10 and a cumulative minimum score of 93
  • the recommendation of the current school chorus teacher attesting to the fact that the student’s sight-reading ability meets the aforementioned criteria

Chordettes:  No Credit, Open to Soprano and Alto students in Grades 9 - 12
Massapequa High School Chordettes is a co-curricular ensemble and is an extension of the studies that take place in the choral classroom. This ensemble is geared toward more advanced singers. For this reason, anyone who wishes to audition for Chordettes must be in one of the curricular choral ensembles offered at the high school level (Ames Campus or MHS Main Campus). Students wishing to audition for Chordettes  must meet the following criteria:

• Membership in one of the MHS choral ensembles with a minimum average of a 90
• Possess sight reading skills at Level 5 or 6 NYSSMA as determined by one of the following:
  • a NYSSMA solo evaluation (earning a minimum sight-reading score of 7 out of 10 and a cumulative minimum score of 93
  • the recommendation of the current school chorus teacher attesting to the fact that the student’s sight-reading ability meets the aforementioned criteria