Observation Project

Voice Methods, MUS 158

Due Dates: (1^st) No later than Feb 24 and ( 2^nd) No later than March 24

What to hand in: The Observation Project Report (attached).

Email to: mkbauer@email.wcu.edu OR paper copy to my mail box in room 253 Coulter OR paper copy to me in class.

Procedures:

1. Email or call the cooperating teacher what date and time and which class you plan to attend. Identify yourself as my student. Please do this at least two days in advance.

2. Sign in at the main office and identify yourself as a WCU student. Pick up a badge or guest/visitor sticker.

3. Maintain silence during your visit. Do not disturb in any way.

4. Arrive AT LEAST 5 MINUTES EARLY and remain for the entire class.

5. Two different levels of choirs are required. (Middle School Choir or High School Choir)

Observation Report

MUS 158 – 01

Name: ________________________________

Teacher’s Name: _______________________________________

School: ________________________________________________

Ensemble observed: ________________________________________

Circle one: Middle School Elementary Level High School

What grade?: __________________

Time of Class: _________________________

Date of Observation: ______________________________________________

Directions: On a separate piece of paper, write comments about each of the following sections. Use complete sentences and write enough information that a complete description of the event will be understood by your reader.

Part I. Classroom Management

1. What standards of behavior did you note as the lesson began? How did the teacher welcome the students? How did he/she organize the students? Were there assigned seats (sections)? Did they use a folder?

2. Did the teacher vocalize (warm up) the choir? If so, what exercises were used? (Just describe them: scales, arpeggios, vowels used, unison or harmonic, etc.) Was the focus/purpose of the warm up discussed or explained? Was an explanation necessary? Why/why not?

3. What were the goals for the rehearsal today? How did the director approach the difficulties the singer’s experienced, i.e., fixing notes/rhythms, vocal issues such as support, vowel sounds, balance, diction, etc.

4. In some of the high schools in this region, the students are on a “block” schedule. Their classes are 90 minutes long. How was this very lengthy time used?

5. How did the teacher conclude the lesson? What standards of behavior did you note at the conclusion of the lesson? Did the teacher encourage and praise at the end?

Part II. Lesson Content

1. Did the teacher teach vocal technique? Was he/she mindful of healthy voice production? Describe how the teacher taught technique. What vocal vocabulary was used? Did the teacher demonstrate vocal technique? Did the students understand and respond? What did the teacher do to reinforce?

2. Did the teacher focus on repertoire? How many pieces were rehearsed? Did students read their scores? Did they use solfege? Or any other music reading method?

3. How was accompaniment handled? Was a recording used? If a live pianist….who? (Name not necessary here – was it a hired person? Or a member of the ensemble?) If the teacher accompanied, was he/she still able to make effective comments? If another pianist was used, how did teacher and pianist communicate? Was this disruptive to the flow of the class?

4. Was technology used in this lesson? How was it used? Was it effective? Why? Or Why not?

5. What is your opinion of the pacing of this lesson? Did it move fast enough? Too fast? How could you tell?

Part III. Your Concluding Thoughts

1. What did you learn from this observation?

2. What overall successes do you note about this teacher?

3. What overall suggestions for improvement would you offer to this teacher?

4. Any other comments?

List of Cooperating Teachers:

School Name	Teacher, Chorus information	Schedule	Special instructions	Check in instructions
Smoky Mountain High School, Sylva NC	Mrs. Linda Haggard 586-2177 ext 285/Cell: 507-0878 email: lhaggard@jcspmail.org	First Period is Concert Choir (non auditioned ensemble) 45-55 students 8:04-9:34; Second Period is Show Choir (her top choral audition/honors class) 40 students (20 women/20 men) 9:40-11:10; Third Period is planning Fourth Period is play production (class that helps produce our spring musical each year – covers drama, musical theatre, set design/building, fundraising, promotion/publicity) 1:30-3:00	Classroom Location: A building, Room #5 She prefers Monday through Thursday. Fridays are not good	Park in visitors lot in front of building A and go to the main office to check in.
Tuscola High School, Waynesville, NC	Mrs. Fritzi Wise fwise@haywood.k12.nc.us	8:00 - 8:55 Womens Chorale - 55 girls in grades 9 through 12, working on festival pieces 9:00 - 9:50 Summit - auditioned show choir - this group is preparing for their 28th annual country show 12:20 - 1:10 Intro to Chorus - class for students who have never sung in an organized choir before. 1:15 - 2:05 Concert Choir - mixed group of guys and girls grades 9 through 12, working on festival pieces 2:10 - 2:55 Chamber Choir - auditioned choir - just finished a Broadway review and are starting to work on pieces for festival	She wants to know the names of the students ahead of time to alert the office of their arrival.	Visitors need to sign in through the office.
Cullowhee Valley School, Cullowhee, NC	Mrs. Katee Johnson kjohnson@jcpsmail.org	8:06-8:36 Chorus – 6^th-8^th graders	Her room number is #303. Please do not come on Wednesdays. Tuesdays and Thursdays are preferable.	Visitors need to sign in through the main office.
Macon County Middle School, Franklin, NC	Mrs. Elizabeth Moss Elizabeth.moss@macon.k12.nc.us	8:20-9:50: 6^th Grade 9:50-11:20: 8^th Grade 11:20-1:25: Planning 1:25-2:55: 7^th Grade	Mrs. Moss prefers that you email her and let her know when you will be coming so she can ready her kids and let the office know you are coming.	Visitors need to check in at the main office and receive a visitors pass.
Waynesville Middle School, Waynesville, NC	Ms. Janna Brendell jbrendell@haywood.k12.nc.us	7:50-8:50: 8^th Grade Chorus 9:50-10:40: 6^th Grade Chorus 10:45-11:35: 6^th Grade Chorus	Please email her and let her know you are coming.	Visitors need to check in at the main office.
Fairview School, Sylva, North Carolina	Mrs. Diane Schallock dschallock@jcpsmail.org 506-0185	9:20-10:10: mixed 7^th and 8^th Grade Chorus	Try to avoid Mondays and Fridays.	Visitors need to check in at the main office and pick up a visitors tag.
Cherokee Elementary School	Maura Colvin, 828/554-5020 mtsoa@yahoo.com Ms. Janis Dellinger Bryant A.C. Reynolds HS 1 rocket Drive Asheville, NC 828-298-9554 janisbryant@bcsemail.org	Wednesdays from 2:45 – 4:20 PM 2^nd through 5^th graders 8:15-9:35 Mixed Chorus 65 singers mostly 9th & 10th graders 9:45-11:13 Chorale Advanced Singers 60 voices 1:15-3:00 Beginning Women's Chorus - 16 beginning singers	Early Release on Wednesday, February 3^rd (no rehearsal) Wants an "e" note Not Feb 26	Report to office, Sign in with secretary, Wear the Visitor Badge while in the building Check in at the main office for a visitor badge.  Visitor parking is in front of the school