Curriculum

SFBC’s music education program provides a highly-structured learning environment, including music theory and sight singing training. Regardless of level, SFBC choristers memorize all performance repertoire.

SFBC’s faculty and staff use a variety of learning styles including kinesthetic, auditory, and visual in their instructional approach, combined with sequential, age-appropriate, reward-based learning. The Chorus uses the methods of mid-twentieth century Hungarian music educator Zoltán Kodàly, which teaches music literacy.

Secondary music education benefits include the development of cognitive, personal, and social competencies including: (1) significantly improved critical thinking, problem posing/solving, and decision-making skills; 2) communication, manipulation, interpretation, and understanding of complex symbols (much like language and mathematics); 3) higher order thinking skills analysis, synthesis, and evaluation; 4) regular employment of multiple skills at the same time; and 5) development of a child’s imagination and judgment.

TRAINING CHORUSES, LEVELS I-IV:

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL IV
The Intermediate Chorus (Level IV) is one step away from the semi-professional touring Concert Chorus and represents a chorister’s ability to sing consistently, clearly, and flexibly across his vocal range (soprano, soprano-2, alto). Choristers study and perform highly complex three-part literature with consonant and dissonant harmonies, reflecting their ability to hold a vocal part in 3-part harmony using a strong, focused sound and ability to read extended pentatonic melodies and passages. To be considered for promotion to the Concert Chorus, Intermediate candidates must display leadership qualities consistent with the demands they will face as part of the Concert Chorus, as well as the demonstrated commitment to performances and the Chorus. In addition, Intermediates are required to attend SFBC’s Away Camp every July, during which three months of learning is compressed into ten days. Rehearsals in San Francisco occur Monday/Wednesday, 4:30-6:30 p.m; Oakland Tuesday/Thursday, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; and San Rafael, 3:45-5:45 p.m.

APPRENTICE LEVEL III
Led by masters-educated music educators, the Apprentice Chorus (Level III) meets for two hours twice weekly and represents a chorister’s progression into more complex music sung in multiple languages. Apprentices build on the concepts of polyphony learned in Level II until choristers are able to sing in two- and three-part harmony. Pitch, rhythm, and an ability to sing easily and clearly in the head voice must already be a solid skill for an Apprentice. Ability to follow a conductor (entrances, cut offs, interpretation) and teamwork are Apprentice concentrations with ancillary development in independent singing and decision-making as related to a group. Level III allows choristers to meet the benchmarks necessary to matriculate into the Intermediate Chorus (Level IV), and ultimately the semi-professional Concert Chorus. Kodàly-based sight-singing and theory classes (Levels A-C) are designed to help Apprentices meet the developmental music needs of long-term choristers, as well as students who enter Level III with no formal training. (This entrance occurs only when it does not make sense for boys to enter Levels I or II because of age, maturity level, or prior music experience.) Apprentices typically range from grades 2-3. Apprentices must be able to read English. Before promoting to the Intermediate Chorus Level IV, Apprentices must demonstrate fluency in reading basic pentatonic melodies. Attendance at SFBC’s five-day Day Camp in June is required for promotion consideration the Intermediate Chorus (Level IV). Rehearsals in San Francisco occur Monday/Wednesday, 4:15-6:15 p.m; Oakland Tuesday/Thursday, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; and San Rafael, 3:45-5:45 p.m.

JR. APPRENTICE LEVEL II
Jr. Apprentices (Level II choristers) meet twice weekly in an expanded early-childhood training setting that fosters focus on a leader, further development of the head voice, rhythm through kinesthetic learning, and early sight-singing and music theory concepts using the Kodály method. Taught by masters-educated instructors, choristers ranging from grades 1-2 begin learning polyphony through rounds and canons, early training devices used to train the ear to independently hold pitch and eventually be able to harmonize with fellow choristers – a hallmark of any chorus. Jr. Apprentices also begin learning score identification. Rehearsals in San Francisco occur Monday/Wednesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m; Oakland Tuesday/Thursday, 4:00-5:00 p.m.; and San Rafael, 3:15-4:00 p.m.

PREPARATORY CHORUS LEVEL I
Prep Chorus (Level I) students meet for one hour, once per week to enjoy an early-childhood program designed to encourage enthusiasm and appreciation for music in SFBC’s youngest choristers ranging from grades K-1. Preps learn vocal placement in the head voice, as well as basic repertoire through age-appropriate games. They also learn the balance between fun and focus, with a curriculum designed for short attention spans. The transition from Prep (Level I) to Jr. Apprentice (Level II) is predicated on a youngster’s increasing stamina and ability to focus, as well as his improved vocal abilities. Preps do not attend summer camp (which begins in Level III). Rehearsals in San Francisco are every Wednesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m. and in Oakland every Thursday, 4:00-5:00 p.m. The Prep Chorus level is not available yet in San Rafael.

 ©San Francisco Boys Chorus 2007