Music
Program
The Music Department offers courses designed to contribute to the musical and aesthetic education of students with a wide variety of abilities and interests. The program provides opportunities to increase proficiency with a musical instrument or the musical voice through solo and group performance; to study music through Theory, History and Technology; or to experience music as a form of expression. In addition to courses which may be scheduled during the school day, additional opportunities are provided through the co-curricular Men’s and Women’s Choruses, the annual musical, and tuition-based private lesson program.
The Music Program’s instrumental ensembles (Concert Band, Repertory Band, Pep Band, String Orchestra, Jazz Band “A”, and Jazz Band “B”) and vocal ensembles (Mixed Chorus, Mens’ and Womens’ Choruses, and Voice Training) are designed to help the student develop musical skills essential for quality performance in musical organizations. Each of the courses provides experience with a variety of musical styles that encourage the student to appreciate music as a vehicle for expression. In addition, through rehearsals and concerts, the student is able to recognize and comprehend the value of a disciplined collaboration and to take pleasure from the resulting harmony.
The “academic” (Music Theory/History), “application” (Music Technology), and “appreciation” (Listening to Music) portions of the Music Program seek to develop insight into the mechanics and construction of music and the importance of music in world cultures. For students who choose not to participate in the instrumental and choral performance aspects of the program, these courses provide an opportunity to understand music as a medium for expression, to develop an informed set of values regarding different musical styles, and to increase the ability to find pleasure in music.
Courses offered by the Music
Department:
Pep Band/Concert Band (Semester I Only) Adv. – Placement by audition
Pep Band/Repertory Band (Semester I Only) Intro. – Placement by audition
Concert Band (Semester I & II)
Repertory Band (Semester I & II)
Jazz Band “A” (Full Year 3x/wk) Adv.
Jazz Band “B” (Full Year 2x wk) Intro.
String Orchestra (Semester I & II)
Mixed Chorus (Full Year) Open to all two sections
Voice Training (One Semester 4 or 5x/wk) Not currently offered
Music Theory/History (One Semester 4 or 5x/wk)
Listening to Music (One Semester 4 or 5x/wk)
Introduction to Music Technology (One Semester 4 or 5x/wk)
Pep Band/Concert Band Semester I – 2.50 credits Course #850
For students in
grades 11 and 12 with selected 9th and 10th graders by
audition only.
Prerequisites for 11th
and 12th Graders: Ability to play a band instrument
Prerequisites for 9th
and 10th Graders: Ability to play a band instrument at an
exceptional skill level. Acceptance as
space permits.
Description: Course #850 is offered to students who wish to participate in both the Pep Band and the Concert Band. During the football season, students will devote half of their class preparation time, generally two rehearsals per week, preparing music to be performed in the stands at all home and a select few away games. The remaining class time, generally two rehearsals per week, will be spent rehearsing concert music with the students who are not in Pep Band. At the conclusion of the football season, all class time will be devoted to concert literature. Pep Band requires NO after school rehearsals. Students will be asked to report one and one-half hours prior to each football game. Community Service Credit, generally as much as 16 hours per year, will be awarded for all performances of the Pep Band. This course if offered during the first semester and is followed by Concert Band (Course #852) during the second semester. The overwhelming majorities of band students register for both semesters and take band for the entire year. Therefore, to register for both semesters, it is necessary that students sign up for both Course #850 and Course #852.
Evaluation: Evaluation will be based on regular demonstration of repertoire preparation, attendance at performances, and class participation.
Concert Band Semester I – 2.50 credits Course #851
For students in
grades 11 and 12 with selected 9th and 10th graders by
audition only.
Prerequisites for 11th
and 12th graders: Ability to play a band instrument.
Prerequisites for 9th
and 10th graders: Ability to play a band instrument at an
exceptional skill level. Acceptance as
space permits.
Description: Course #851 is offered to students who, during the first semester, choose to participate in Concert Band only. This course is offered to students who play a band instrument, have demonstrated proficiency on that instrument, and are interested in improving their playing skills and increasing their knowledge of music. This course is primarily intended for 11th and 12th graders, but select 9th and 10th graders will be admitted based on their musical skill and as space allows. The course is offered during the first semester and is followed by Concert Band (Course #852) during the second semester. The overwhelming majority of Concert Band students register for both semesters and take band for the entire year. Therefore, to register for both semesters, it is necessary that students sign up for both Course #851 and Course #852.
Evaluation: Evaluation will be based on regular demonstration of repertoire preparation, attendance at performances, and class participation.
Concert Band Semester II – 2.50 credits Course #852
For students in
grades 11 and 12 with selected 9th and 10 graders by audition only.
Prerequisites for 11th
and 12th graders: Ability to play a ban instrument.
Prerequisites for 9th
and 10th graders: Ability to play a band instrument at an
exceptional skill level. Acceptance as
space permits.
Description: Follow up course to Courses #850 & 851. For descriptions, please see above. Please be reminded that the overwhelming majority of band students register for both semesters and take band for the entire year. Therefore, to register for both semesters, it is necessary that students sign up for Courses #850, #851, or #852.
Evaluation: Evaluation will be based on regular demonstration of repertoire preparation, attendance at performances, and class participation.
Pep Band/Repertory Band Semester 1 – 2.50 credits Course #870
For students in
grades 9 and 10
Description: This course is offered to students who wish to play in both the Pep Band and the Repertory Band. During the football season, students will devote half of their in school call time, generally two rehearsals per week, to the preparation of music to be performed in the stands during all home and a select few away games. The remaining class time, generally two rehearsals per week, will be spent rehearsing concert music with the students who are not in Pep Band. At the conclusion of the football season, all class time will be devoted to the preparation of concert literature. Pep Band requires NO after school rehearsals. Students may play in Pep Band and still participate in after school sports. Pep Band students are asked to report one and one-half hours prior to each football game. Community Service Credit, generally as much as 16 hours per year, will be awarded for all performances of the Pep Band. This course if offered during the first semester and is followed by Repertory Band Course #872. The overwhelming majority of Repertory Band students register for both semesters and take band for the entire year. Therefore, to register for both semesters, it is necessary that students sign up for both courses #870 and #872.
There may be an opportunity for select 9th an 10th graders to audition for Concert Band (an advanced level course intended for 11th and 12th graders) as space in Concert Band permits. Auditions for Concert Band will be held in December for current 9th graders and in January for current 8th graders in order to allow plenty of time to register for the appropriate course. If a current 8th or 9th graders does not audition for Concert Band in December or January, they will automatically be placed in repertory Band.
Evaluation: Evaluation will be based on regular demonstration of repertoire preparation, attendance at concerts, and class participation.
Repertory Band Semester
I – 2.50 credits Course
#871
For student in grades
9 and 10
Prerequisites: Ability to play a band instrument.
Description: Course #871 is available to students who, during the first semester, choose to participate in Repertory Band only. This course is offered to students who play a band instrument with some level of proficiency and are interested in improving their skills and increasing their knowledge of music. This course is offered during the first semester and is followed by Repertory Band Course #872 in the second semester. The overwhelming majority of Repertory Band students register for both semesters and take band for the entire year. Therefore, to register for both semesters, it is necessary that students sign up for both Courses #871 and #872. There may be an opportunity for select 9th and 10th graders to audition for Concert Band (an advanced level course intended for 11th and 12th graders and in January for current 8th graders in order to allow plenty of time to register for the appropriate course. If a current 8th or 9th grader does not audition for Concert Band in December or January, they will automatically be placed in Repertory Band.
Evaluation: Evaluation will be based on regular demonstration of repertoire preparation, attendance at concerts, and class participation.
Repertory Band Semester
II – 2.50 credits Course #872
For students in
grades 9 and 10
Description: Follow up curse to Course #870 and #871. For descriptions, please see above. Please be reminded that the overwhelming majority of Repertory Band students register for both semesters and take band for the entire year. Therefore, to register for both semesters, it is necessary that students sign up for both Course #870 or #871 and #872.
Evaluation: Evaluation will be based on regular demonstration of repertoire preparation, attendance at concerts, and on class participation.
String Orchestra Semester I – 2.50 credits Course #853
For students in
grades 9, 10, 11, & 12
Prerequisites: Ability to play an orchestral string
instrument.
Description: This course is designed for students who play a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or string bass), have demonstrated proficiency on that instrument, and are interested in performing string literature in an ensemble. The topics considered in this course include: musical styles and vocabulary, review of all of the elements of music (melody, harmony, rhythm), technical problems in string performance, and exploration of large and small ensemble repertoire for strings in a variety of styles. The overwhelming majorities of string students register for both semesters and take orchestra for the entire year. Therefore, to register for both semesters, it is necessary that students sign up for both Courses #853 and #854.
Evaluation: Evaluation will be based on regular demonstration of performance techniques and participation in ensemble performance.
Jazz Band “A” Full
Year, 3 times/week – 2.50 credits Course
#855
For students in
grades 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisites: Placement is by audition only. Woodwind, brass and drum set players must be
registered for Repertory Band or Concert Band for the entire school year. Piano, guitar and bass players are exempt
from this requirement.
Description: This is an advanced level course designed for the student with significant interest and a moderate level of experience in the art of jazz performance. The enrollment is limited to 19 students, 5 each of trumpet, trombone, and saxophone and four rhythm musicians (bass, guitar, piano and drum set.) It is not required, but recommended, contemporary styles. Guitar, bass and piano students must be experienced in jazz chord reading and voicing and be able to “comp” accompaniment patterns appropriate for the previously list styles. The class meets three times per week during school and has frequent evening rehearsals.
Evaluation: Evaluation will be based on class attendance, class participation, and attendance at performances.
Jazz Band “B” Full
Year, 2 times/week – 2.50 credits Course
#864
Prerequisites: Woodwind, brass and drum set players must be
registered for Repertory Band or Concert Band for the entire year. Piano, guitar and bass players are exempt
from this requirement.
Description: This course is designed for the introductory level or exploratory jazz student who wishes to experiment with the art of jazz or begin the study of elementary jazz styles. Enrollment is flexible. Improvisation or “comping” experience is desired, but not required. The overwhelming majority of 9th graders who are interested in jazz study register for this course.
Evaluation: Evaluation will be based on class attendance, class participation, and attendance at performances.
Voice Training Full Year 2x/week – 2.50 credits Course #857
For students in
grades 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisites: See description
Description: This course is for students whose voices have changed. Issues considered in the course are breathing techniques, vocal expression, and art songs in English, Italian, French, and German.
Evaluation: Evaluation will be based on solo and ensemble works in class.
Chorus Full
Year – 5.00 credits Course
#856
For students in
grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Description: In this course students will deal with the technical issues of choral performance (rhythm issues and vocal production); a variety of choral music styles; and the preparation and performance of at least one major choral work with instrumental accompaniment. The Chorus is in two sections that perform as one group. Concert and four (4) mandatory evening rehearsals are part of the class.
Evaluation: Evaluation will be based on small ensemble participation as well as contribution to call rehearsals, quizzes and performance.
Music Theory/History Semester
I – 2.50 credits Course
#858
For students in
grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisites: Should have studied an instrument or voice,
or been in a performing ensemble.
Description: This course is designed for students who wish to learn and apply the basic elements of music, who wish an opportunity to become acquainted with music as an expression of a particular cultural environment, and who may be thinking of further study of music after high school. Topics to be considered in this course include the staff and clefs; note reading; major and minor modes; melodic construction; harmonic structure (triads and seventh chords) and transportation. The course will examine the music of major historical periods; the Middle Ages, the Renaissance period, the Baroque period, the Classical period, the Romantic period, and the early Twentieth Century. The primary emphasis of the course will be the recognition of musical characteristics as reflection of a particular period and culture.
Evaluation: Evaluation will be based on test, exams, quizzes, projects and sight reading demonstration with media technology.
Introduction to Music Technology Semester
II – 2.50 credits Course #869
For students in
grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: Student will explore contemporary uses of technology in music. They will learn how to record live performances in studio and on stage, and how to make a music compact disc and/or music video. In addition, students will use computers and “Midi” software to compose and arrange music.
Evaluation: Evaluation will be based on class participation and the quality of completed projects.
Music Theater Semester
II – 2.50 credits Course #859
For students in
grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Description: The issues considered in this course include a history of musical drama, selection of a musical for performance, set design, lighting issues, make-up techniques, and acting techniques.
Evaluation: Evaluation will be based on class projects, performance, and written tests.
Listening to Music Semester II – 2.50 credits Course #861
For students in
grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: This course is designed to develop the students’ ability to hear music and to listen in an informed manner. Topics included are the acoustics of instruments, instrumentation, vocal combinations, lyrics and musical composition, and music as it reflects the social issues of the times. The course will include music of today and its development through pervious styles.
Evaluation: Evaluation will be based on class participation, projects and tests.