Unit Plan 36 (Grade 7 Vocal Music): Vocal Performance Day

Focus: Perform vocal music demonstrating growth, musical accuracy, expression, and ensemble etiquette as both performers and audience members.

Grade Level: 7

Subject Area: Vocal Music (Choir • Performance • Reflection)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this culminating unit, students bring together everything they have learned about technique, expression, and collaboration to present a final vocal performance. They focus on performing with accurate pitch and rhythm, clear diction, expressive intent, and stylistic awareness, while also demonstrating professional rehearsal and performance etiquette. Before and after the performance, students reflect on their growth as individual singers and as an ensemble, considering how habits built all year long impact performance day.

Essential Questions

• What does it mean to perform with musical excellence and professional etiquette, not just “get through the song”?
• How do pitch, rhythm, diction, expression, and style work together to create a strong performance?
• What does respectful performance and audience behavior look and feel like in a choir setting?
• How can reflecting on a performance help us understand our growth and set goals for future musical experiences?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Perform concert repertoire with accurate pitch and rhythm, maintaining steady tempo and correct entrances/cutoffs.
2. Sing with clear diction so that text is understandable and appropriately styled for the repertoire.
3. Demonstrate expressive intent and stylistic awareness, using dynamics, phrasing, tone quality, and facial expression.
4. Show appropriate performance etiquette (focused posture, watching the conductor, quiet transitions, respectful audience behavior).
5. Collaborate with peers to maintain ensemble unity, including blend, balance, and togetherness.
6. Reflect on their growth as singers by comparing early-year performance habits with performance-day behaviors and musical outcomes.

Standards Alignment — Grade 7 Vocal Music (custom, NAfME-style)

• VM:Pr6.7a — Perform vocal music with accurate pitch, rhythm, diction, and expressive intent, showing stylistic awareness.
  • Example: Students perform a two-part piece with clear diction and dynamic contrast.
• VM:Pr6.7b — Demonstrate appropriate rehearsal and performance etiquette as singer and audience member, including respectful collaboration.
  • Example: Students follow conductor cues, enter/exit professionally, and provide constructive peer feedback.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can perform our songs with accurate notes and rhythms and stay with the group.
• I can use clear diction and expressive singing that fits the style of the music.
• I can show strong performance etiquette—standing tall, watching the conductor, staying focused, and being a respectful audience member.
• I can work with my section and the full choir to keep our blend, balance, and timing together.
• I can explain at least one way I have grown as a singer and ensemble member this year.