Central High Choirs

The Central High School Choral program is a proud member of the Central Unified School District. This choral program welcomes every student and features several ensembles that foster the growth of every singer. The CEHS Choirs provide a place for singers to become vocalists and acquaintances to become friends. We offer opportunities to sing in concerts through rigorous rehearsals that lead to independent musicianship with an understanding of music and its ability to communicate to audiences a vast range of emotional and aesthetic experiences.

The program normally presents four concerts a year:

Our Fall Concert focuses on “Places in the World” and features folk songs and music from many different countries and in many different languages. During this season we usually participate in local invitational festivals.

In December, we present “Yuletide Joy”, songs of the season. There are so many wonderful songs that are unique to this time of year. Our goal is to send you home having heard a few of your favorites as well as to introduce you to some new ones! Our groups go into our community singing seasonal favorites for local businesses and organizations.

Our festival season is in March, and in order to ready ourselves for adjudicated performances, we present our “Festival Concert”, usually in early spring. It is during this time that we participate in local CMEA festivals.

These first three concerts are held at the Performance Center at Central East High School.

Our final concert is presented on the amphitheater stage at Central High East in late May. This concert will feature performances of songs suggested by and choreographed by the students. Themed around a musical era or concept, the students will choose what they will wear in their performance based upon the songs they sing. Local food trucks will be contracted to come in to provide options for dinner and a Silent Auction and Dessert Auction will held in the cafeteria with many outstanding items for you to bid on! This can be a wonderful, relaxed evening with the community and many alumni in attendance.

Students who participate in choir learn that music is expressive, rewarding, meaningful and relevant. Throughout the rehearsal and performance process they learn about the voice, choral singing, sight-singing, music theory, music history, languages and cultures. Being part of the Choral program is about more than just taking a class. It is being part of an experience in friendships and in creating art not only for our own experience but to share it with others in the hopes that we touch lives with the beauty and the power of music. Join in!

Enter Title

MUSIC FUNDAMENTALS (D115) GR 9-10-11-12

Prerequisite: None

An introduction to the elements of music, including study of the staff, clefs, key signatures, scales, time signatures, notation, meter and rhythm, major and minor chords, song writing techniques, application of theory at the keyboard, and rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic ear training. No musical background is required or expected, although students with such a background may find certain material in the course to be less challenging.

VOICE CLASS (D144) GR 9-10-11-12

Prerequisite: None

This class is designed for beginning students to explore and expand solo vocal technique and styling. Each semester will include a short forays into many styles of vocal music including classical, jazz, rock, R&B, musical theater, and ethnic music. Students will learn proper vocal production, sight-reading proficiency, ear training, expansion of range, technical facility, a cappella singing, and dynamic nuances. Potential performance opportunities will present themselves in both the first and second semester, though public performance is not required.

TREBLE CHOIR (D147) GR 9-10 soprano and alto singers

Fulfills UC/CSU “f” requirement

Prerequisite: None

Choral music will be used to teach vocal techniques, ear training, and music reading. Students will be taught to sing as an ensemble in preparation for several concerts. Students will explore and preform choral selections from the Renaissance to present-day popular music and three-and-four part singing will be prepared and performed for a least one concert per semester.

BASS COLLECTIVE (D145) GR 9-10 tenor and bass singers

Fulfills UC/CSU “f” requirement

Prerequisite: None

This class is designed for the beginning singer. Choral music will be used to teach vocal techniques, ear training, and music reading. Emphasis will be placed on music reading and basic vocal foundations. This ensemble will perform according to vocal ability and experience.

CONCERT CHORUS (D113) GR 11-12 Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass

Fulfills UC/CSU “f” requirement

Prerequisite: teacher approval

Concert Choir is the premier vocal showcase of Central H.S. The choir performs throughout the year in and around the community. Activities include: choral festivals, community concerts, informal programs, sporting events, choir trips and music tours. Superior knowledge of basic music theory and vocal technique required; performance of moderately difficult and difficult literature, both accompanied and unaccompanied. A variety of musical literature from all time periods and other languages will be explored. Semester one includes two required concert performances. Semester two includes two required performances and the opportunity to participate in district & state music festivals.

ADVANCED ENSEMBLE (D117) GR 10-11-12

Fulfills UC/CSU “f” requirement

Prerequisite: Selection by audition, co-enroll in another performing arts class

Student must be concurrently enrolled in another music department performing ensemble. Voice lessons are strongly encouraged. Credit for this class is awarded on the basis of class participation, preparation, and outside performances. Students will perform both solo and Chamber literature of various styles. Superior knowledge of basic music theory and vocal technique required; performance of moderately difficult and difficult literature, both accompanied and unaccompanied. Semester one includes two required concert performances. Semester two includes two required performances and the opportunity to participate in district and state music festivals. Students are expected to spend additional hours in rehearsal and performances beyond the regular class time.

Contact

Director of Choral Activities

Michael Ogdon

[email protected]

(559) 276-0280 x50335

Here are documents used in class.

CHSchoirHandbook