DHS Department of Choral Arts
The Duluth choirs have a long tradition of excellence in the state of Georgia and abroad. They have performed throughout metropolitan Atlanta, New York City, New York; Nashville, Tennessee; Disney World, Orlando, Florida; and The Grand Bahama Islands as well as six international concert tours throughout Europe. Each year the choirs participate in the Georgia Music Educator’s Association State Large Group Performance Evaluation where they consistently receive the top ratings of “Superior”. Duluth is also very well represented in the GMEA All-State Choirs, Honors Choruses and GHSA Music Literary events yearly.
   

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DHS Choral Department Goals

  1. Students will become more proactive in making musical line/phrase decisions.
  2. “Work hard, work smart”. Students will use a pencil in class daily to mark music daily.
  3. Students will take initiative, ownership and leadership within the program

Musical Line Reminders

  • Never accent the last note of a phrase
  • Never accent the last syllable of a word
  • No two consecutive notes should be sung alike
  • Put a slight space or lift between a dotted note and a short note
  • Slight crescendo on dotted notes and longer notes
  • Purposely pronounce beginning and ending consonants
  • Elongate target vowels of diphthongs
  • Be aware of syllabic stress
  • Keep a rhythmic pulse under longer/sustained notes
  • Sing with energy and support to the end of a phrase
  • Energize as you decrescendo
  • Allow your body to be free and mobile while maintaining good posture. (paint brush on nose)
  • Messa di voce is used frequently for overall phrasing
  • Every piece has a high point dynamically. Know this before you sing and keep dynamics in perspective
  • Do not over-sing
  • Always know the meaning of text you are singing
  • Never sustain with the same volume

General music making guidelines:
Sing phrases, not notes!
Never sustain the same volume.
No two adjacent notes receive the same stress.
Diction and pitch go hand in hand!
Tall vowels, crisp consonants!
Quality is NEVER an accident.

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Greg S. Smith, Director of Choral Activities | Jason Lane, Principal, Duluth High School, 3737 Brock Rd. Duluth, GA 30096, (770)232-3354
Greg_smith@gwinnett.k12.ga.us