~~ Concert Choir (MUEN 101) ~~

2020-2021 Syllabus

Dr. Ramona Wis, Conductor

rmwis@noctrl.edu

Mr. Jon Warfel, Accompanist

jrwarfel@noctrl.edu

~~~

Our History
The North Central College Concert Choir is the longest standing ensemble at the College,
serving as the “anchor ensemble” for decades of rich choral history.
Comprised of students representing virtually every major on campus and chosen by selective audition,
the Concert Choir studies and performs a wide variety of choral repertoire, including choral/orchestral
collaborations with the DuPage Symphony and Chicago Sinfonietta, and enjoys master classes by
visiting composers such as Stacey Gibbs and James Falzone.
Whether in the U.S. or abroad, in churches or for an ACDA conference,
“CC” performances are always enthusiastically received by audiences for their
breadth of programming and passionate commitment to the choral art.

Our mission statement (reframed!)

At the heart of what we do is our North Central College commitment to leadership, ethics, and
values. Our choral program promotes a servant leader approach to our work, characterized by our
phrase:
(Still) Singing For the Greater Good

S Singing (what we DO!) individually together with a performance goal

F Family (who we ARE!) community of friends, our “choral family,” collaboration
G the Goods (what we LEARN!) skills, knowledge, understanding
G Grit (what we DEVELOP!) character, resilience, grace

By using our gifts, passion, energy, intellect, discipline, skill, and opportunities, we work towards
greater personal wholeness, creating meaning and purpose as we
serve others through our artistic work.
In the end, we become a premiere ensemble in both artistry and character and we
positively impact the world around us.

Let’s stay on mission and have a great year!

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Meeting times and location

Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 12:15-1:25 PM via ZOOM online in a safe place on/off campus

Our Goals
~ To study and perform a wide variety of the finest choral music at the highest level of artistry.
~ To help develop your musical skill and knowledge and your vocal abilities and to enhance your overall
musical experience and understanding.
~ To make a positive difference to your lives and time here at North Central and to the lives of
all those you touch with your music.

Required materials, technology

• Zoom (for rehearsals)
• Blackboard (for announcements and attached items under Learning Modules, some assessment)
• My Choral Coach (for repertoire, assessment)
• Group Me (for quick communicationsJ)
• (Optional but encouraged) Facebook page (for community and updates)
• NCC email (for overall communication and info from Dr. Wis)
• Choral repertoire. Most will be posted online; some purchase may be necessary. Info given in
class.
• Phone or laptop; headphones/earbuds; quiet place for recording

Concert Choir Officer Team

President: Abby Risner
Vice President: Kierstin Durst
Secretary: Ashley Zima

Important Dates
I will post a schedule on Blackboard including submission deadlines for assessments, your virtual choir
recording, and a watch party for our fall Virtual Concert!

Grading
• (20%) Participation (engagement during class, contribution to discussion, preparation, willingness
to model/sing unmuted, positive contribution to the choir community)
• (30%) Assessments (score study, part learning, vocal skills, reading or written assessments)
• (50%) Virtual Choir submission (timely submission, vocal/artistic quality as per the learning from
rehearsal and associated activities)

Singing as a Physical Process

Choral music is a physical activity—indeed, your instrument is your body so keeping yourself
healthy in every sense will reap countless benefits for you and for us as a choir. During rehearsal, we will
move, stretch, conduct, and breathe deeply as part of our work. This will be invigorating and educational
but if you have any medical concerns or limitations, you need to do what is best for you. Let me know if
you have questions or need any references to help you be at your best health.
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Maximizing your educational experience

If you experience any issues acquiring educational or basic living resources due to situations in
your finances or home life, we have a fund called Cardinal Operation Hope and Help — view the video
here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smeakGJPtNY&feature=youtu.be
And email your needs to: HopeandHelp@noctrl.edu

If you experience issues with discrimination of any kind, please contact our Asst. Vice President
for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Title IX/504 Coordinator, Dr. Rebecca Gordon at
rgordon@noctrl.edu.

If you need resources to maintain your health and wellness, please visit our Dyson Wellness
Center: https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/dyson

Finally, be sure to stay current with the College’s updates on the COVID situation, found here:
https://covid.northcentralcollege.edu/

Additional reading and resources

Links regarding meditation for musicians, singing in lockdown, and overall wellness!

Blog:
Choral Net https://choralnet.org/ blog by Dr. Wis, “The Conductor as Yogi,” weekly topics on wellness for
musicians, including:

“What If I Can’t Meditate?” https://choralnet.org/2020/07/the-conductor-as-yogi-what-if-i-cant-

meditate/
“Still the Mind Chatter”. https://choralnet.org/2020/07/the-conductor-as-yogi-still-the-mind-chatter/
“Tapas (or “The best way out is always through”). https://choralnet.org/2020/08/the-conductor-as-yogi-
tapas-or-the-best-way-out-is-always-through/
“The Well Choir (Breath)”. https://choralnet.org/2020/08/the-conductor-as-yogi-the-well-choir-breath/

YouTube videos (there are many!):

Intro to Meditation for Musicians https://youtu.be/A2Il5R9TW7k
5 Senses Meditation for Musicians https://youtu.be/v0cHm7WnLbo
A Meditation for Managing School Stress https://youtu.be/TCY7m10sCF0

Online articles:
“Lockdown singing: the science of why music helps us connect in isolation”
https://neurosciencenews.com/music-connection-isolation-16318/

“The world’s most accessible stress reliever”

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200518-why-singing-can-make-you-feel-better-in-lockdown
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CHORAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Guidelines

I hereby accept a Choral Scholarship for the 2020-2021 academic year.

I understand that the following stipulations apply:

1. Scholarship students must enroll in their assigned large choral ensemble (Cardinal Chorus,
Women’s Chorale, or Concert Choir) and private classical voice lessons with North Central
College Music faculty for both semesters of 2020-2021. Students will be notified about
their ensemble placement in spring term. One-half of the scholarship will be awarded
each term contingent upon participation in the assigned large ensemble and in private
classical voice lessons. Excellent attendance in both is expected.
2. Scholarship students must earn a “B” or higher in both choral ensemble and private
classical voice lessons to retain the scholarship.
3. Private lessons require a lab fee each semester which is at the student’s expense ($375.00
for 1/2 hour lessons; $750.00 for 1 hour lessons). Students may opt for either length
lesson.
4. Full-time student status must be maintained by scholarship recipients. Scholarships are
renewable for a maximum award of four years based on exemplary performance,
attendance, choral leadership, and continued participation in the ensemble.
5. Scholarship students are required to participate in tours and other Music Department
activities such as Homecoming, Audition Days, Baccalaureate and convocations, in
addition to regularly scheduled concert performances.

I accept the terms of this agreement and understand that failure to comply may result in
termination or reduction of my scholarship.

Please print your name _____________________________

Signature ________________________________ Date: _________________________

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CHORISTER INFO FORM

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Diego Mateo
Name (as you want it printed in a program) ___________________________________________________
Diego
First name that you prefer to be called ______________________________________________________
He/Him
Gender pronoun you prefer ______________________________________________________________
dimateo
NCC email address ______________________@noctrl.edu 779 702-0565
Cell # (_____)_______________________
Joliet, Illinois
Hometown (city and state) ________________________________________________________________
Joliet West High School
Home high school _____________________________________ Joliet, Illinois
City and state ______________________
Comm. college, if you attended ________________________________ City and state ________________
Music Education
Major (at the momentJ) _________________________________________________________________
Year in school (circle) 1 2 3 4 4+ 6 ft. _____
Height _____ 0 in.
Voice part (usually; circle) SI SII AI AII TI TII BI BII
NCC ensembles you are involved in besides this one:
Athletic Bands, Concert Winds, Wind Orchestra
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
NCC groups, activities, sports, etc. that you are involved in:
Speech & Debate Team and Office of Student Involvment
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Special skills that might help our ensemble (instruments that you play; technology; virtual choir
production; foreign language; sign language; organizational skill; hospitality; sense of humor; program or
T-shirt design . . . . ).
I play the flute/piccolo, and I speak Spanish.
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
What would you like us to try in our virtual learning experience?
I am ready for anything, nothing specific for me!
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
What would you like to get better at or know more about through your choir experience?
My rhythm and counting!
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Anything else would you like me to know about you?
Not really! :-)
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________