Dr. Michael Kester-Haynes

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 27 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Ensemble Performance

8th grade choir unit performing ensemble repertoire with accuracy, stylistic expression, independence, leadership, and professional rehearsal and performance etiquette.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 26 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Vocal Storytelling

8th grade choir unit creating and performing original vocal music that tells stories, using musical choices to reflect identity, interests, and goals.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 25 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Singing with Cultural Authenticity

8th grade choir unit performing vocal music with stylistic awareness, shaping phrasing, tone, tempo, and diction based on cultural and historical context.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 24 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Music in Cultural Context

8th grade choir unit exploring how culture, history, and social context shape vocal music and guide authentic performance practice and interpretation.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 23 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Music & Identity

8th grade choir unit reflecting on identity, interests, and goals to guide musical choices, personal growth, and leadership within the ensemble.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 22 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Evaluating Performances

8th grade choir unit evaluating vocal performances using clear criteria and musical evidence to justify judgments and set goals for improvement.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 21 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Comparing Interpretations

8th grade choir unit comparing multiple interpretations of a vocal work, analyzing tempo, phrasing, dynamics, tone, and style to evaluate text fit.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 20 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Text, Tone & Style

8th grade choir unit analyzing how text setting, diction, tone quality, and style shape meaning and guide authentic vocal performance practice.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 19 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Musical Form & Meaning

8th grade choir unit analyzing musical form and elements to explain how contrast and unity shape meaning, structure, and expression in vocal music.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 18 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Sharing Vocal Creations

8th grade choir unit performing original vocal music with accuracy, clear diction, expressive style, and student explanations of musical intent.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 17 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Rehearsing Created Music

8th grade choir unit rehearsing original or arranged music using strategies, feedback, and recordings to improve accuracy, ensemble skills, and expression.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 16 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Style & Interpretation

8th grade choir unit developing stylistic interpretation through phrasing, diction, dynamics, tempo, tone, and analysis of multiple performances.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 15 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Revising Compositions

8th grade choir unit refining student compositions using criteria and feedback to improve accuracy, singability, style, and expressive intent.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 14 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Notation & Recording

8th grade choir unit documenting vocal compositions with standard notation and recordings, capturing melody, rhythm, and simple harmonic support clearly.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 13 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Musical Form Design

8th grade choir composition unit where students organize musical ideas into ABA, verse/chorus, or rondo forms to support clear expressive intent.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 12 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Melody & Countermelody

8th grade choir unit composing melodies and countermelodies in a set key and meter using clear contour, controlled leaps, and strong resolution.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 11 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Improvising in Style

8th grade choir unit where students improvise vocal lines in folk, pop, chant, or gospel styles using pitch sets, varied rhythms, and expressive goals.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 10 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Sight-Singing Independence

8th grade choir unit building sight-singing skills using notation, solfege, and counting to read melodies and maintain part independence.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 9 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Early Ensemble Performance

8th grade choir performance unit building accuracy, diction, expression, stylistic authenticity, leadership, and professional rehearsal and stage etiquette.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 8 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Rehearsal Strategy Refinement

8th grade choir unit using sectionals and self-monitoring to improve intonation, blend, balance, rhythm, expression, and efficient rehearsal habits.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 7 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Expressive Phrasing

8th grade choir unit using phrasing, dynamics, articulation, diction, tempo, and tone to shape interpretation and communicate text meaning with style.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 6 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Blend & Balance

8th grade choir unit focused on blend and balance as students adjust tone and volume, refine intonation, and use rehearsal strategies to unify ensemble sound.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 5 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Rhythm & Precision

8th grade choir unit strengthening rhythmic accuracy, entrances, and ensemble precision using notation, solfege, counting, and rhythm-based form analysis.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 4 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Part Independence Basics

8th grade choir unit building part independence through solfege, rhythmic counting, and rehearsal strategies to strengthen listening, balance, and ensemble precision.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 3 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Vocal Range & Registration

Explore healthy range expansion and balanced registration in 8th grade choir, connecting vocal technique to how composers use register and form for meaning.