Donna Brotherton – Vocal Art Donna Brotherton received her formal musical training in vocal performance with a concentration in piano at the Peabody Conservatory of Music (Baltimore, MD), and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (Cincinnati, OH).  Mrs. Brotherton has recently completed a Masters Degree in music education with an emphasis in high school choral music at the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music (Winchester, VA).  Mrs. Brotherton’s professional experience includes teaching private piano and voice, teaching and accompanying as a faculty member at several colleges and universities, performing as an operatic and oratorio soloist, and serving as a church and choral musician.  Mrs. Brotherton has served the University of Alaska-Anchorage, Alaska Pacific University, Iowa Wesleyan College, and the Musical Arts Center of Cincinnati, OH.  Mrs. Brotherton’s professional memberships include the National Association of Teachers of Singing (state president of NATS in Alaska for 2 years), the National Suzuki Association, The American Choral Directors Association, Kindermusik International, The North Carolina Music Educators Association, and The National Music Educators Association.  Since becoming a resident of Greensboro, Mrs. Brotherton has maintained a private voice and piano studio, has served as associate director of music at Jamestown Presbyterian Church, and has taught both Kindermusik and Suzuki piano.  Mrs. Brotherton is the current director of choral activities at Weaver Academy. Course Descriptions Academy Vocal Music I (Studio Voice) • Vocal Music I is a voice class consisting of intensive training in the basic skills necessary to become a successful vocalist. The class focuses on learning principles of vocal hygiene, the vocal mechanism, and vocal technique. Students will become acquainted with the International Phonetic Alphabet, and how to use it as a tool for proper vowel and consonant formation in English, Latin, Italian, French and German pronunciation. Vocal students work extensively on vocal performance skills and will sing solo performances on a regular basis. In the second semester of Academy Vocal Music I, a chorus is formed through which students continue to study vocal technique and diction skills. The chorus will perform on the Weaver Academy Choral Concert at the end of each quarter of the second semester. They will also perform at the annual NCMEA Solo/Ensemble Festival and individuals will be encouraged to perform as soloists. Students will also be encouraged to audition for All-County Chorus, the Mars Hill Choral Festival and the All-State Choral Festival. Academy Vocal Music II (Chorale) • The Chorale is a select, mixed chamber vocal ensemble that performs advanced choral repertoire. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of musical time periods, styles and languages. Students will continue to study vocal technique and diction skills. The Chorale will perform at the NCMEA Solo/Ensemble Festival in the Spring and individuals will be encouraged to perform as soloists. Students will also be encouraged to audition for All-County Chorus, the Mars Hill Choral Festival and the All-State Choral Festival. Members of the Academy Chorale are strongly encouraged to take private voice lessons to support and supplement their training at Weaver Academy. Academy Vocal Music III and Honors Vocal Music III (Honors Chorale) • In addition to the above course description, students in Vocal Music III are expected to be musical leaders of the Chorale. In addition to the above course description, students in Honors Vocal Music III are expected to take positions of organizational leadership, including those of choir officers and section leaders. Academy Vocal Music IV and Honors Vocal Music IV • In addition to the above course description, students in Vocal Music IV are expected to be proficient in choral techniques, vocal techniques, diction, sight singing and music theory. In addition to the above course description, students in Honors Vocal Music IV are expected to be musical and organizational leaders of the Chorale, and to be proactive in assisting other students learn music and develop positive and productive habits of choral performance and rehearsal etiquette. Basic Musicianship • This course serves as an introduction to fundamentals in music. Students will experience critical listening, introduction to classical literature, instrumental and vocal identification, basic theoretical knowledge, and music reading skills. The student will be challenged to take an in-depth look at music’s importance and relevance to society. This course will also include the explorations of music halls, recitals, concerts and performance procedures and etiquette. This course is meant to provide a solid foundation and stepping stone to music theory, music history, and the serious study of music performance at the Weaver Academy.