ENSE1041: Choir 1, ENSE1042 Choir 2

Continual assessment of professional demeanour and ensemble skills demonstrated during rehearsals and performances (100%).

For ENSE1041: You will complete a short pitch and range test before rehearsals for voice placement.

I enrolled in these units to fulfil my mandatory performance and ensemble units for the degree. I knew I was going to enjoy choir because I've been in choirs all my life and was really excited to do the subject for credit. I was also keen to sing more extensive works, as most of the songs I did in high school were at most five minutes long. For 2019's program, we did Handel's Dixit Dominus, Alice Chance's Fiat Lux for Semester 1 and the Con's very own Paul Stanhope's Jandamarra for Semester 2.

The nature of assessment is still a little strange to me. To pass the subject, you need 100% attendance at rehearsals. From then on, it's consistent observation on Liz's end to determine how well you carry yourself. Performance involvement, expression and enthusiasm are the criteria they look out for but to this day, I have no idea what the difference between a DI and HD for this unit is. That being said, as long as you're not bludging and you've come to the performance well-rehearsed/ready to go, there's no way you can possibly fail this subject. I am curious though as to how choir is assessed so perhaps this is something I should ask Liz myself some time next semester.

Choir was definitely amongst my favourite subjects from 2019 because it allowed me to do what I love most: sing. I loved all the works we got to perform, despite some of the slightly sadder alto parts I had to just accept was necessary for good voice leading and the rest of the harmonies to sound phenomenal. It was an amazing experience to perform with the orchestra and to sing with some of the most talented vocalists in the state, making a whole term's worth of afternoon rehearsals and commitment worth it. Liz Scott had a huge role in the success of the SCM choir this year; she's probably the best conductor in Sydney and one of my favourite people on this earth. Working under her weekly was a privilege and I've learnt so many fun choir warm-ups, techniques and pedagogical/ensemble directing strategies from her. I will only do Choir 3 next year but I may decide to join as a non-credit student for Semester 2 because I just loved this subject so much. Super hyped to see what we have in store this year!

1x 3 hour rehearsal; there are also additional rehearsals and a performance night during Special Projects Week (Week 10).

2/5

None

Elizabeth (Liz) Scott

None

4.5/5

None; you borrow the score for whatever work is being studied and performed for the semester from the Con library before the first rehearsal.

2019, Semester 1, 2

ENSE1041: 78 DI, ENSE1042: 87 HD