Music
Please click on the courses below to see their descriptions.
Course #1528 - Modern Music Ensemble
Modern Music Ensemble I is a performing ensemble for instrumentalists or vocalists who play any instrument (guitar, ukulele, winds, strings, piano, percussion) or sing any vocal style/part. This is an honors-level performance ensemble that performs inside and outside of the school community. Modern Music Ensemble’s primary goal is the preparation and performance of modern music genres including jazz, rock, pop, folk, and 21stcentury repertoire for public concerts, various school functions, and local and regional community events. Music selections will be drawn from a variety of modern music genres, as well as student created original compositions. Improvisation, composition, and innovative ensemble instrumentation will be introduced and built upon throughout each year a student enrolls in Modern Music Ensemble. Students will develop musical technique, rhythmic reading, and music expression while being a productive member of the ensemble. Participating in individual growth opportunities, such as solo or duet performance within the ensemble at concerts, community performances, and competitions is expected. Students are required to complete three music performance-based projects each semester allowing them to demonstrate authentic real-world musicianship skills acquired, including stage presence, basic performance techniques, sight singing, song composition, collaboration and understanding of the 3 basic music elements.
Prerequisite: Recommendation from or audition for the music director
Prerequisite: Recommendation from or audition for the music director
Grades 9 - 12
Honors
Full year 1 HS Credit
Course #1529 - Modern Music Ensemble II
Modern Music Ensemble II is an honors-level performance ensemble that performs both inside and outside of the school community. Modern Music Ensemble’s primary goal is the preparation and performance of modern music genres including jazz, rock, pop, folk, and 21st century repertoire for public concerts, various school functions, and local and regional community events. Students continue to develop musical technique, rhythmic reading, and music expression while being a productive member of the ensemble and taking more responsibility to learn how to be an ensemble leader. Participating in individual growth opportunities, such as solo or duet performance within the ensemble at concerts, community performances, and competitions is required (at least once). Students are required to complete three music performance based projects each semester, allowing them to demonstrate authentic real world musicianship skills acquired through, including stage presence, basic performance techniques, sight singing, song composition, collaboration and understanding of the 5 out of 9 music elements needed to create and perform music effectively. Students enrolled in this course are expected to act as role models both musically and socially within the Modern Music Ensemble, whole school district, and outside community.
Prerequisite: Recommendation from or audition for the music director
Prerequisite: Recommendation from or audition for the music director
Grades 9 - 12
Honors
Full year 1 HS Credit
Course #1530 - Modern Music Ensemble III
Modern Music Ensemble III is an honors-level performance ensemble that performs both inside and outside of the school community. Modern Music Ensemble’s primary goal is the preparation and performance of modern music genres including jazz, rock, pop, folk, and 21st century repertoire for public concerts, various school functions, and other local and regional community events. Students will develop and begin to master their musical technique, rhythmic reading, and music expression while being a productive member of the ensemble and taking more responsibility as a leader of the ensemble. Participating in individual musical growth opportunities, such as solo or duet performance within the ensemble at concerts, community performances, and competitions is required twice throughout the year. Students are required to complete three music performance based projects each semester, demonstrating authentic, real-world musicianship skills acquired - including stage presence, basic performance techniques, sight singing, song composition, collaboration, and understanding of the 7 out of 9 music elements needed to create and perform music effectively. Students enrolled in this course are expected to act as role models both musically and socially within the Modern Music Ensemble, whole school district, and outside community and participate as a student leader (Tri M, officer, section leader, music mentor).
Prerequisite: Recommendation from or audition for the music director
Prerequisite: Recommendation from or audition for the music director
Grades 9 - 12
Honors
Full year 1 HS Credit
Course #1531 - Modern Music Ensemble IV
Modern Music Ensemble IV is an honors-level performance ensemble that performs both inside and outside of the school community. Modern Music Ensemble’s primary goal is the preparation and performance of modern music genres including jazz, rock, pop, folk, and 21st century repertoire for public concerts, various school functions, and other local and regional community events. Students will master their musical technique, rhythmic reading, and music expression while being a productive member of the ensemble and taking most responsibility as a leader of the ensemble (stage manager, section leader). Participating in individual musical growth opportunities, such as solo or duet performance within the ensemble at concerts, community performances, and competitions is required three times throughout the year. Students are required to complete three music performance-based projects each semester, demonstrating authentic, real-world musicianship skills acquired - including stage presence, advanced performance techniques, sight singing, song composition, collaboration, and understanding of the 9 music elements needed to create and perform music effectively. Students enrolled in this course are expected to act as role models both musically and socially within the Modern Music Ensemble, whole school district, and outside community and participate as a student leader (Tri M, officer, section leader, music mentor).
Prerequisite: Recommendation from or audition for the music director
Prerequisite: Recommendation from or audition for the music director
Grades 9 - 12
Honors
Full year 1 HS Credit
All Modern Music Ensemble students are required to attend all school and community performances. Travel for all community performances is required.
Course #1516 - Concert Band
Concert band is a large ensemble for instrumentalists and is open to all wind and percussion players. Its primary goal is the preparation and performance of music for public concerts and adjudicated festivals. Students will be able to make positive contributions to their local and regional communities by utilizing their musical talents. Music selections will be drawn from a variety of styles, cultures, and time periods. Throughout the year students will hone and develop technique, rhythmic reading, and music expression while being a contributing member of a community of musicians. They will utilize the latest technologies including but not limited to, midi, sound recording, and instant feedback. Opportunities for individual activities such as auditioning for regional ensembles will be offered.
Travel for adjudicated competitions is required.
Travel for adjudicated competitions is required.
Grades 9 - 12
Academic
Full year 1 HS Credit
Course #1518 - Advanced Concert Band
Advanced Concert Band has the same course description as Concert Band. This course meets at the same time and performs the same music as Concert Band. Students who enroll in the Advanced Band class are required to audition for Eastern Regional Competition as well as perform a solo, small chamber group/ensemble, or demo/mentor younger members of our music department (district-wide). Students enrolled in this course are expected to act as role models both musically and socially within the band and whole school district (section leaders, officer positions, mentors, and Tri-M members).
Prerequisite: Recommendation of the band director
Prerequisite: Recommendation of the band director
Grades 11 - 12
Honors
Full year 1 HS Credit
Course #1519 - Concert Choir
The primary goal of concert choir is to create music. Concert Choir is a four part (SATB) mixed ensemble. Students will work on fundamental singing skills and refine techniques for proper singing. The chorus will research, learn, and perform music from a variety of styles, cultures, and time periods. The expressive, emotional, aesthetic, and creative aspects of singing will be explored. The students will contribute to local and regional communities by performing at a variety of different venues so that they may give back to the community with their musical talent. They will utilize the latest technologies including but not limited to, midi, sound recording, and instant feedback. Opportunities for individual activities such as auditioning for regional ensembles will be offered. Travel for adjudicated competitions is required.
Grades 9 - 12
Academic
Full year 1 HS Credit
Course #1521 - Advanced Concert Choir
Advanced Concert Choir has the same course description as Concert Choir. This course meets at the same time and performs the same music as Concert Choir. Students who enroll in the Advanced Choir class are required to audition for Eastern Regional Competition as well as perform a solo, small chamber group/ensemble, or demo/mentor younger members of our music department (district-wide). Students enrolled in this course are expected to act as role models both musically and socially within the band and whole school district. (Section leaders, officer positions, mentors, Tri-M members)
Prerequisite: Recommendation of the choral director
Prerequisite: Recommendation of the choral director
Grades 11 - 12
Honors
Full year 1 HS Credit
Course #1522 - Guitar I
Guitar I is an introductory course designed for beginner students with little or no prior guitar skills. Students will be exposed to a variety of styles and guitarists of guitar in several genres such as classical, blues, folk, jazz, and rock. Students will explore reading notation, tab, chords, and playing songs in styles that both the teacher and students choose. There will be playing assessments, a listening log, music theory, and performances.
Grades 9 - 12
Academic
Semester .5 HS Credit
Course #1523 - Guitar II
Guitar II is an intermediate course designed for beginner students with some guitar skills. Students will continue to work on skills learned in Guitar I. Students should either have prior experience playing and/or have taken Guitar I.
Grades 9 - 12
Academic
Semester .5 HS Credit
Course #1524 - Harmonization at the Piano I
Harmonization at the piano will include basics of music theory and its application to the piano. The course will explore the basics of music theory, music appreciation, and piano technique. Emphasis will be placed on proper piano technique and will explore a vast array of culturally diverse music, including classical and pop styles. Music theory will include all musical elements including pitch (notes on the staff), rhythm, and harmonic progressions.
Grades 9 - 12
Academic
Semester .5 HS Credit
Course #1536 - Harmonization at the Piano II
Harmonization at the piano will continue to include basics of music theory and their relation to basic piano technique. The course will also explore the history of art music (Romantic and 20th Century), a project exploring several aspects of the instrument, continued exploration of important/interesting piano players/piano-based music. We will continue to reinforce and learn new concepts in music theory including: major/minor scales, major/minor chords, keys, chord progressions, and song analysis. Students are expected to complete the Hal Leonard Piano Method for Teens book, and to learn several pop (or any genre that interests you!) songs.
Grades 9 - 12
Academic
Semester .5 HS Credit
Course #1525 - Music Technology
This course is an introductory course designed to explore the wide range of musical technology that is available to students through online resources, compositional programs (garageband, audacity, voice recorders), and web based music programs (smartmusic, makingmusicfun), that all demonstrate the different ways a student can use technology to learn a wide range of musical components, not limited to composing, mixing, arranging, performing, creating music videos, and podcasts.
Grades 9 - 12
Academic
Semester .5 Fine Arts or .5 Technology
Course #1561 - String Ensemble
This course explores string performance at an advanced level for High School students. Students will continue to develop their skills and experience with greater emphasis on ensemble playing, technical proficiency, and performance with musical styles from the Renaissance period to the present day. Students will explore solo repertoire. Emphasis also remains consistent on basic principles of healthy bow technique, correct posture, and consistent sound production.
Grades 9 - 12
Academic
Semester .5 Fine Arts or .5 Technology
Course #1532 - Music Exploration
Music Exploration is a class designed for students about to embark on their musical journey, regardless of previous musical experiences. It is designed for students who are not yet sure of which musical path to follow, instrumental or vocal, guitar or piano? The course will allow for students to experiment, explore, learn, and be exposed to all of the instrument families as well as vocal development activities in order to develop a basic understanding and appreciation for music. Students who take this course are more committed to their music studies because they can choose their own instrument based on their own experiences and musical interests.
Grades 9 - 12
Academic
Semester/Intersession .5 HS Credit
Course #1533 - Music Therapy
This course will explore Music therapy and the use of music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of a group or individual. Students will explore a variety of activities, such as listening to melodies, playing instruments, drumming, writing songs, and guided imagery. Mindfulness and SEL approaches will also be the main focus in learning the role of music therapy in today’s ever-changing world. Part psychoanalyst and part conductor, the music therapist helps us all to identify and play our emotions or thoughts through music. With a hands-on approach, this course will delve into these many different aspects of music and its therapeutic benefits.
Grades 8 - 12
Academic
Semester/Intersession .5 HS Credit
Course #1538 - History of American Music
Based on the Teachrock curriculum designed by Bruce Springsteen’s guitarist Steven Van Zandt, History of American Music is a class that explores social issues and culture through the lens of American music. We will listen to, research, and discuss music genres ranging from the blues to modern rap, country, pop, and rock. Some issues we will study include civil rights, gender/race, protest, addiction, economics, war, current events, and youth/teenagers.
Grades 8 - 12
Academic
Semester .5 HS Credit
