Dr. Michael Kester-Haynes

Paid-members only

Grade 7 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 11 (Grade 7 Vocal Music): Improvising Vocal Patterns

Grade 7 choir unit on vocal improvisation using expanded pitch sets and varied rhythms to create expressive patterns that match mood and style.

Paid-members only

Grade 7 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 10 (Grade 7 Vocal Music): Reading Vocal Notation

Grade 7 choir unit focused on reading melodies with staff notation, solfege, and rhythm syllables to build pitch accuracy, steady tempo, and sight-singing confidence.

Paid-members only

Grade 7 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 9 (Grade 7 Vocal Music): Unison Performance

Grade 7 choir unit performing unison repertoire with accurate pitch, rhythm, diction, expression, ensemble focus, and professional performance etiquette.

Paid-members only

Grade 7 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 8 (Grade 7 Vocal Music): Rehearsal Strategies

Grade 7 choir unit using sectionals, repetition, and feedback to improve blend, balance, intonation, rhythm, expression, and effective rehearsal habits.

Paid-members only

Grade 7 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 7 (Grade 7 Vocal Music): Dynamics & Phrasing

Grade 7 choir unit using dynamics and phrasing to shape musical lines, connecting tone, diction, and text to expressive meaning and vocal style.

Paid-members only

Grade 7 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 6 (Grade 7 Vocal Music): Ensemble Blend & Balance

Build ensemble blend and balanced tone in Grade 7 choir through listening, vowel matching, dynamics, intonation, and targeted rehearsal strategies.

Paid-members only

Grade 7 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 5 (Grade 7 Vocal Music): Rhythm & Meter Accuracy

Strengthen rhythmic precision and meter awareness in Grade 7 choir through rhythm syllables, notation, solfege, and strategies that support musical form.

Paid-members only

Grade 7 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 4 (Grade 7 Vocal Music): Pitch Accuracy & Solfege

Improve pitch accuracy in Grade 7 choir using solfege, steady tempo, and rehearsal strategies to build confident, in-tune ensemble singing.

Paid-members only

Grade 7 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 3 (Grade 7 Vocal Music): Expanding Vocal Range

Explore comfortable range expansion with healthy vocal technique, linking pitch, form, and expression while respecting voice change in Grade 7 choir.

Paid-members only

Grade 7 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 2 (Grade 7 Vocal Music): Healthy Technique Review

Refine posture, breathing, resonance, and vowel shape using healthy, age-appropriate technique while adapting safely to voice change in Grade 7 choir.

Paid-members only

Grade 7 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 1 (Grade 7 Vocal Music): Choir Routines & Collaboration

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 36 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Culminating Vocal Performance

Grade 8 choir culminating unit focused on leadership, musicianship, and professionalism, showcasing expressive, accurate singing and strong ensemble etiquette.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 35 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Final Performance Preparation

8th grade choir unit refining final repertoire through feedback and recordings, building accuracy, expression, stylistic integrity, independence, and performance confidence.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 34 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Purposeful Music Choices

8th grade choir unit analyzing how text, diction, tone, and style fit specific audiences, connecting repertoire choices to identity, purpose, and goals.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 33 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Evaluating Ensemble Growth

8th grade choir unit evaluating ensemble growth using rubrics, recordings, and musical evidence to analyze intonation, blend, balance, expression, and style.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 32 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Expressive Performance

8th grade choir unit performing with expressive intent and stylistic accuracy, building independent control of pitch, rhythm, diction, dynamics, tone, and stage presence.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 31 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Student-Led Rehearsals

8th grade choir unit building leadership by guiding warm-ups and rehearsals, practicing professionalism, collaboration, feedback, and reflective growth.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 30 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Refining Vocal Technique

8th grade choir unit improving stamina, diction, and resonance through posture, breath support, vowel unification, and reflective use of feedback and recordings.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 29 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Advanced Sight-Singing

8th grade choir unit strengthening sight-singing through solfege, rhythmic counting, notation reading, rehearsal strategies, and multi-part independence.

Paid-members only

Grade 8 Vocal Music Units

Unit Plan 28 (Grade 8 Vocal Music): Expressive Vocal Composition

8th grade choir unit creating original vocal music through improvisation, shaping emotions, images, and social themes with clear expressive intent and style.

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.