Music

Intro To Music Technology: “From GarageBand to the Grammys”

0.5 credit; Unweighted
Length: Semester; Format: Meets Daily
Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

In the 21st Century, the technology exists that makes it possible for anyone to create or produce music! This course will teach you the skills needed to use what is readily available to get your “song” out there. You need NOT to have any musical experience, just the love of learning in a new way and being creative. We will start by exploring the new features of GarageBand as a springboard to also learn about sound reproduction, mixing tracks and beats, creating your own songs, learning about recording, using FX, creating podcasts and creating music for video. Students will also be introduced to “Pro Tools,” the universal music production software. This class is designed to get students engaged in the technology used every day for music and to inspire them to continue to develop their skills beyond the classroom door on the way to the Grammys!

Band H

1.0 Credit; Weighted
Length: Year; Format: Meets on Cycle Days plus sectionals
Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite(s): Middle school band ability and above or Teacher Recommendation

Note(s): It should be noted that rehearsals scheduled apart from the school day are a necessary aspect of this course. Attendance at these rehearsals, as well as all performances and concerts, is mandatory. Concerts are normally scheduled during the evenings on weekdays. This course is open to all qualifying students who play a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument. Admission is obtained by audition or through recommendation by the Middle School or High School instrumental music directors. This course is designed to provide a marching, concert and parade band experience. The marching aspect will start with a week-long camp starting Sunday, August 30 (1 week before school starts) with both an afternoon and evening session each day. It will continue and running through September and beginning of October with one evening rehearsal per week in September. Students in Drum Line and Color Guard will have an additional week of practice in August (TBA). Band Camp is an assessed part of the course. The band will perform at all football games. The parade aspect will be limited to special community events including the local Santa and memorial Day Parades. The concert band experience will be the main, yearlong focus of the curriculum where wind players and percussionists will be assigned to various ensembles. A weekly group lesson scheduled during the school day (during a study hall or free period) is a required part of the course as is attendance at all concerts. A schedule of all events will be published in the summer. The curriculum will focus on the development of pedagogical techniques idiomatic of the student’s particular instrument which will be explored through the performance of contemporary band literature.

Full Orchestra H

1.0 Credit; Weighted
Length: Year; Format: Meets Daily plus sectionals
Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite(s): Middle School string ability and above or Teacher Recommendation

Note(s): It should be noted that rehearsals scheduled apart from the school day are a necessary aspect of this course. Attendance at these rehearsals, as well as all performances and concerts, is mandatory. Concerts are normally scheduled during the evenings on weekdays. This course provides both a string and full orchestra experience and is open to all qualifying students who play a string instrument. A weekly group sectional (lesson) is scheduled during the school day (study hall or free period) and is a required part of the course. Small ensembles created from the big group will perform for various school and community events in addition to the winter and spring concerts.

Jazz Ensemble H

0.5 Credit; Weighted
Length: Year (includes lesson); Format: Meets on Cycle Days, or Length: Semester, Format: Meets Daily
Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in Band, Full Orchestra or String/Full Orchestra (except for guitar, bass and piano)

This course is open to all qualified students who are interested in jazz and popular Big Band music. Participation is open to students who are also enrolled in Band or Orchestra (except guitar, bass, voice, strings & piano). An emphasis is placed on advanced pedagogical techniques associated with jazz interpretation. Students also explore the world of improvisation as it relates to twentieth century harmonization. The ensemble performs at three concerts a year as well as various school and community events.

Chorus

0.5 Credit; Unweighted
Length: Year; Format: Meets on Cycle Days, or Length: Semester, Format: Meets Daily
Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Note(s): It should be noted that rehearsals scheduled apart from the school day are a necessary aspect of this course. Attendance at these rehearsals, as well as all performances and concerts, is mandatory. Concerts are normally scheduled during the evenings on weekdays. The Full Chorus is open to all students who enjoy singing. It is a four-part (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass) chorus that performs a wide variety of music ranging from the early masters to the composers of today.

Meistersingers H

1.0 Credit; Weighted
Length: Year; Format: Meets Daily
Grade(s): 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite(s): Teacher Recommendation

Note(s): It should be noted that rehearsals scheduled apart from the school day are a necessary aspect of this course. Attendance at these rehearsals, as well as all performances and concerts are mandatory. Concerts are normally scheduled during the evenings on weekdays. Students in Meistersingers are selected from the full chorus by an audition process. This chorus performs challenging choral works as well as lighter numbers and is often invited to perform for local organizations throughout the year. Sectionals are a required part of this course. 

Note: Combination courses are for students who participate in more than one ensemble and are selected and scheduled as a single unit.

Band and Orchestra H

1.0 Credit; Weighted
Length: Year (Includes lesson)
Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite(s): Instrument level of Band and/or string level of Orchestra

This course accommodates those students who play a string and wind instrument as well as those who play a wind or percussion instrument in the band and wish to participate with the full orchestra. Students share class time with students scheduled in Band and Orchestra. Please refer to those courses for further explanation of the requirements and descriptions.

Meistersingers and Band H

1.0 Credit; Weighted
Length: Year (Includes Sectionals)
Grade(s): 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite(s): Teacher Recommendation

This course accommodates those students who play a wind or percussion instrument as well as sing. Students share class time with students scheduled in Band and Meistersingers. Please refer to those courses for further explanation of the requirements and descriptions.

Meistersingers and Orchestra H

1.0 Credit; Weighted
Length: Year (Includes sectionals)
Grade(s): 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite(s): Teacher Recommendation

This course accommodates those students who play a string instrument and wish to sing. Students share class time with students scheduled in Meistersingers and Orchestra. Please refer to those courses for further explanation of the requirements and descriptions.

Meistersingers, Band, and Orchestra H

1.0 Credit; Weighted
Length: Year (Includes sectionals)
Grade(s): 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite(s): Teacher Recommendation

This course accommodates those students who, in addition to singing, wish to play an instrument in both the band and the full orchestra. Students share class time with students scheduled in Meistersingers, Band and Orchestra. Please refer to those courses for further explanation of the requirements and descriptions. Acceptance into this course is very limited, and must be approved by all three directors. Students are required to miss some lunch periods.

AP Music Theory

1.0 Credit; Weighted
Length: Year; Format: Meets Daily
Grade(s): 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite(s): Music Theory 1 or Teacher Recommendation

This course is offered in alternate school years. AP Music Theory is designed for students planning to major in music or for the student seriously interested in music. It is an in-depth study of how music is put together. Students should already have a basic background in reading music and the knowledge of key centers. Students will learn 4 part harmony, composition, ear training and solfeggio. Emphasis will be placed on the study of eighteenth century music composition and analysis. Music writing assignments and exercises will be a regular part of the course including homework assignments. Ear training will be developed in preparation for advanced listening evaluations. A keyboard approach will be utilized with computer software support in listening and composition leading for preparedness for the Advanced Placement Music exam.

Guitar Class

0.5 credit; Unweighted
Length: Semester; Format: Meets Daily
Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

This course is designed for students wishing to play the guitar. It is for beginners and students with 1 year of experience. Students are taught in a class ensemble and given individual instruction at their own level ranging from beginner to intermediate. Students have many options to develop: learning to read notes, playing melodies and chords by sight or by ear, playing together as an ensemble, composing original music. Students will use a guitar to create music. Students should have access to a guitar at home; one will be provided at school. This course will provide a foundation for Music Theory and AP Music Theory.

Modern Band

0.5 credit; Unweighted
Length: Semester; Format: Meets Daily
Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Modern Band is a music program that utilizes popular music as its central focus. Styles that are studied include rock, pop, reggae, hip-hop, rhythm & blues, electronic dance music, and other contemporary styles as they emerge. Learn to play the songs that can be heard today by contemporary popular artists. Modern Band utilizes (but is not limited to) the musical instruments that are common to these genres: guitar, bass, drums, piano, voice and technology. No experience necessary! You will be taught all the basics and get a chance to create your own band! Modern Band teaches students to perform the music they know and love and to compose and improvise.