Choral Studies – Overture Music Academy

Chair, Reneé Chapman | rchapman@overturema.org

Jessica Taylor | jtaylor@overturema.org

In choirs at Overture Music Academy, we want to give students of all abilities confidence in using their voice. We believe everyone can sing and we want to help students discover the joy of singing together! The benefits of singing in choir are many – vocal development, discipline, self-confidence and a feeling of togetherness are just a few– but the greatest aim and benefit is the opportunity we have, as singers, to glorify God with our unique instruments through his incredible gift of music.

Amabile

Amabile (“with tenderness, able to be loved”) is a beginning choral ensemble for students in grades 3rd-6th. This choir provides a fun environment for elementary students to learn about music through group singing. Students will learn good singing habits and develop confidence through singing games and a variety of choral literature, including rounds and partner songs. Musicianship, diction, introduction to solfège, and music literacy are all components of the Amabile choir experience. Taught by Jessica Taylor.

Viva Voce

Viva Voce (“with a lively voice”) is a non-auditioned choral ensemble for students in grades 6-12 of all levels of musicianship. This choir is a good starting point for students with no previous musical experience, and a good place for more experienced musicians to develop their skills. Through the exploration of various genres and styles of choral literature, choristers will learn music history and music theory as well as develop tonal awareness, sightreading skills, and proper vocal technique. There will be a strong emphasis on the development of listening skills essential for a high quality ensemble sound. In addition to singing all together, the choir may be divided into middle school and high school groups as well as men’s and women’s groups. Students are expected to practice at home between rehearsals. Each singer’s dedication to daily practice will strengthen individual vocal performance and thus improve the choir’s sound. The choir will perform in concerts at the end of each semester. Rehearsal time is 1 hr 15 min weekly. Taught by Reneé Chapman.

Minimum Age requirement: 6th grade
Required supplies: black binder (1 inch), pencil, water bottle, & small keyboard for practice at home (example of keyboard linked here)
Concert Attire: men – black shirt, black pant, socks, shoes; women – black shirt, floor-length dress or skirt or long pants, black shoes and black hosiery
Recommended minimum weekly at-home practice: at least 4 times per week of 30 min each
Assessment is conducted twice quarterly to track student progress
Grades are assigned (and made available to parents) based on attendance, practice time outside of rehearsals, and in-class and out-of-class assessments.

Vox Nobilis

Vox Nobilis (“the noble voice”) is a select choir for students in grades 8-12. Students are required to be enrolled concurrently in Viva Voce. This ensemble has a more demanding performance schedule and challenging choral repertoire, carefully selected to expose students to varied musical styles, historical periods, foreign languages, and world cultures. Students will continue to develop vocal technique and musicianship, including sightreading and music theory, as well as developing critical thinking skills through the analysis of musical elements, including form and text. At this level, a special focus is placed on effectively conveying, musically and emotionally, the message of the music we sing. Students will be expected to rehearse and perform using an advanced level of musicianship and self-discipline. Daily vocalizing and practice at home between rehearsals is expected of Vox Nobilis members in order to strengthen individual vocal performance and thus improve the choir’s sound. VN singers must demonstrate the highest work ethic, a commitment to excellence, a positive attitude, and the ability to work well with others. In addition to singing in each semester’s OMA concert, Vox Noblilis has opportunities to perform and compete at area events such as churches, community events, and the MTVA High School Choral Festival; certain years this includes out-of-town performance trips in addition to in-town community events. Written communication with the director regarding any scheduling conflicts is required 4 weeks prior to planned events. Rehearsal time is 1 hr 30 min weekly. Taught by Reneé Chapman.

Minimum Age requirement: 8th grade
Required supplies: black binder (1.5 inch), pencil, water bottle, & small keyboard for practice at home (example of keyboard linked here)
Students will be required to participate in a VN choir retreat in August
Concert Attire: Dress available from Southeastern performance apparel. We make one group order in August.
Recommended minimum weekly at-home practice: at least 4 times per week totaling 3 hours per week (including practice time for Viva Voce music)
Prerequisite: Audition and consent of director
Assessment is conducted twice quarterly to track student progress
Grades are assigned (and made available to parents) based on attendance, practice time outside of rehearsals, and in-class and out-of-class assessments.
Cantabile and Vox Nobilis have a shared two-day retreat in August each year that is required. It’s a Friday night to Saturday afternoon. Additional details about location and costs are available from the director.
Please review the Audition Packet which is available here along with the music excerpt to prepare
SignUp Genius link is available for selecting an audition times: go to SIGN UP Genius Form

Choral Department Communication

Students and parents will receive regular choir messages with announcements, reminders, and practice guidance. Please make sure you and your student are reading the email, and please feel free to contact Mrs. Chapman if you have any questions. E-mail and Google Classroom are considered our official and main means of communicating pertinent class information to you outside of class time. All students (and parents) are expected to weekly check their e-mail and Google Classroom for important communication. It is also your responsibility to check spam filters. Ongoing participation in the learning management system (Google Classroom) is required of choral students at Overture Music Academy.

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