Welcome to the Music Department web page.
The Music Department offers courses which provide a variety of experiences for all abilities and musical backgrounds. These courses are designed for students who wish to pursue music as a hobby as well as those planning a career in music. Some of the courses are open to all students; others require a placement audition. The list below contains descriptions of all available music courses.
151 – Concert Band – 1 credit – 1 year
This course is open to any 9th or 10th grader who successfully completed the previous year in the school band program. Students who did not receive instruction in the school band program the previous year must pass an entrance audition to ensure their musical skills are adequate. Students who enroll are required to participate in activities outside of the school day including occasional evening rehearsals, the winter and spring Concerts, Memorial Day parade and Graduation.
156 – Symphonic Band – 1 credit – 1 year
This course is open to any 11th or 12th grader who wishes to continue their high school band experience at a more advanced level. Performing chamber music in small ensembles is an additional component added to this level. Students who did not receive instruction in the high school band program the previous year must pass an entrance audition to ensure their musical skills are adequate. Students who enroll are required to participate in activities outside of the school day including occasional evening rehearsals, the winter and spring concerts, Memorial Day parade and graduation.
157 – Jazz Band – 1/4 credit – 1 year
Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in Concert Band or Symphonic Band
Instrumental students must audition for this ensemble. It will meet one evening per week for 2 hours.
162 – History of American Music – 1/2 credit – 1/2 year (Offered both semesters)
This course will chronicle the history of our nation through music. The focus will be on innovative American composers who borrowed from the music of the past and from music of other cultures to create songs that truly reflect our American heritage. The units will trace Americans’ responses, through music, to significant events from the American Revolution to the present.
150 – Cantata Choir – 1 credit – 1 year
This course is open to any 9th or 10th grader. This is a vocal ensemble where emphasis is placed on beginning vocal skills, sight-reading and learning moderately easy to moderately difficult choral literature. Repertoire will include 2 to 4 part-singing of a wide range of styles and periods. Students who enroll are required to participate in all activities outside of the school day including evening rehearsals, the winter concert, the choral cabaret, the spring concert and graduation.
154 – Concert Choir – 1 credit – 1 year
This course is open to any 11th or 12th grader who would like to continue chorus at a more advanced level. The student must show that they can produce good tone quality and perform well in a vocal ensemble. The
repertoire consists of literature from all periods and styles and will be in 3 to 5 parts. The music will be
moderate to difficult. Students who enroll are required to participate in all activities outside of the school day including evening rehearsals, the winter concert, the choral cabaret, the spring concert and graduation
.
159 – Music Theory – 1/2 credit – 1/2 year (Offered both semesters)
Through this course, students will develop an understanding of the elements and structure of music through the study of scales, intervals, chords, harmonization, rhythmic and melodic dictation and basic composition.
160 – Select Chorus – 1credit-1 year
This course is designed for vocalists seeking to exp lore more advanced choral literature in a wider variety of
styles and periods including a cappella and jazz singing. Students are selected for this course on the basis of audition.
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