Course Listings

Music Department

COURSES IN THIS DEPARTMENT SATISFY THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES ORFREE ELECTIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR
GRADUATION.PERFORMING GROUPSCourse credit will be given for successful participation in Band, Choir, and Orchestra.
Interested students should contact the performing group director.Participation in after school rehearsals and public
performances is an integral andnecessary part of membership in these groups.

Course Listing

MARCHING / CONCERT BANDS (AD) GRADES 9-12 Members of the Marching Band are required
to attend a pre-school band camp,after school rehearsals, and all performances. Band camp will begin in August. A full rehearsal
and performance schedule will be given to each student in May of the preceding year. For class purposes, the large number of
marching band students will be divided into smaller bands at the instructor's discretion, so that more individualized attention may
be given to each student. This division will occur as follows:

These students will be able to perform all marching band music and will work to develop their skill
levels to the fullest through mainstream Concert Band literature through the balance of the year. There will be an opportunity
provided for those students demonstrating high skill levels to pursue a more rigorous curriculum which will entail performance
of the highest levels of high school music literature. This course would then carry an honors point weight of (6), not (5)

ACCL. SYMPHONIC BAND GRADES 10 - 12 Participation in Marchin Band is a pre-requisite. Chosen from sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students in this group must be able to perform
the highest levels of high school band literature, and must demonstrate high skill levels. Selection is at the director's discretion by audition. All ensembles are designed to present the best band literature to students in away that will develop their performing
abilities and musical understanding. There will be an opportunity provided for those students demonstrating high skill levels to pursue a more rigorous curriculum which will entail performance of the highest levels of high school music literature. 

This course would then carry an honors point weight of (6), not (5)

CONCERT BAND (AD) GRADES 9- 12 This course is designed for those students who do not participate
in the marching band. The literature to be studied and performed will consist of standard band literature as well as lighter pop
and show selections. No band camp is required; however, the performance nature of this course requires attendance when
rehearsals and concerts are necessary beyond the school day.There will be an opportunity provided for those students
demonstrating high skill levels to pursue a more rigorous curriculum which will entail performance of the highest levels of high
school music literature. This course would then carry an honors point weight of (6), not (5).
 

CHORALE (AD) GRADES 9-12 Chorale is open to all students interested in developing their individual vocal
and choral skills. Emphasis is placed on proper breathing, tone production, diction,musicality and music reading proficiency. A
variety of suitable literature, ranging from Renaissance to contemporary, will be studied and performed in concert. Chorale
meets during school hours on an alternate day schedule and rehearses monthly after school or in the evening. Participation in
these rehearsals, as well as all scheduled performances is a requirement.All freshmen who intend to participate in Symphonic
Choir must take one yearof Chorale. Students may remain in Chorale for all four years of high school.Students who wish to
advance into Symphonic Choir may audition towards the end of the year. Symphonic Choir performs an advanced level of high
school choral literature; demands advanced level skills; and requires a higher level of commitment.There will be an opportunity
provided for those students demonstrating high skill levels to pursue a more rigorous curriculum, which will entail performance
of the highest levels of high school music literature. This course would then carry an honors point weight of (6), not (5).
 

SYMPHONIC CHOIR (AD) GRADES 10-12 Symphonic Choir is an advanced level ensemble.
Comprised of sophomores,juniors and seniors, students in the group must be able to perform the highest levels of high school
choral literature, and must demonstrate high skill levels. Selection is at the director.s discretion by audition.Students enrolled in
this course will advance their individual vocal and choral skills with an emphasis on tone production, breathing, diction, musicality,
music reading proficiency and rehearsal techniques. A variety of advanced choral literature, ranging from Renaissance to
contemporary, will be studied and performed in concert.The Symphonic Choir meets during school hours on an alternate day
schedule and rehearses monthly after school or in the evening. Participation in these rehearsals, as well as all scheduled
performances is a requirement. Additional rehearsals will be scheduled at the discretion of the director to prepare for local,
national, and international events. This rigorous schedule is necessary to maintain the high standards of this ensemble.

STRING ORCHESTRA (AD) GRADES 9-12 String Orchestra is open to all stringed instrument
students (violin, viola,cello, bass) interested in developing their individual and ensemble skills.Emphasis is placed on proper
bow control, tone production, intonation, and phrasing. A variety of string orchestra literature ranging from baroque to
contemporary will be studied and performed in concert. String Orchestra meets during school hours on an alternate day
schedule, and occasionally rehearses after school in preparation for concerts. Participation in these rehearsals, as well as all
scheduled performances, is required. All freshmen who intend to participate in Symphony Orchestra must take one year of
String Orchestra. Students may remain in String Orchestra for 4 years, or may audition to advance to Symphonic Orchestra
toward the end of each year. Symphonic Orchestra performs an advanced level of high school literature, which demands
advanced skill levels and a higher level of commitment. here will be an opportunity provided for those students
demonstrating highskill levels to pursue a more rigorous curriculum which will entail performance of the highest levels of high
school music literature. This course would thencarry an honors point weight of (6), not (5).

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (AD) GRADES 10-12 Students chosen for this group must be able to
perform the highest levels of high school orchestral literature, and must demonstrate high individual skill levels. Membership
is open to all string (violin, viola, cello and bass),woodwind, brass and percussion students. Selection is at the director's
discretion by audition. The literature to be studied and performed will consist of the standard symphonic works, as well as
lighter pop and show selections. The performance nature of this course requires attendance after school for scheduled
rehearsals and concerts.
 

MUSIC THEORY 1 GRADES 9-12 This course aims to provide the student with an understanding of the
building blocks of music, such that the student will be more than adequately prepared to enter a college theory class. Topics
of study include elements of notation, study of the piano keyboard, the circle of fifths, major and minor scales, intervals of the
chromatic scale, triads of the major and minor scales, and basic chord progressions of tonal music. Activities include writing
music; sight-reading; aural analysis f melodies, intervals and chords; visual analysis of intervals, chords, chord
progressions; and playing scales, intervals, and simple chords on the piano.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT MUSIC THEORY GRADES 10-12 This course is primarily
designed for those students in grades 10-12 who have completed Music Theory 1 and contemplate music as a career.
Included will be studies in advanced harmony, and analysis of musical forms and compositions.Instrumental or vocal
arrangements will be performed for analysis. In all instances, students electing this course must have the teacher.s approval.
Students will be prepared to take the Advanced Placement Music Theory examination.

HONORS MUSIC ARRANGING GRADES 10-12 This is a course designed to acquaint students
with the general skills of orchestration. Included will be the analysis of music compositions in various styles from differing
periods of music. Students will also be asked to participate inactive involvement in arranging for the different media. A
thorough knowledge of music theory is required.
 

INTRODUCTION TO GUITAR (AD) GRADES 9-12 This semester course is designed to
introduce students to the basic elements of guitar playing, theory and music reading. Students will learn tuning, chord study,
and playing melody through a hands-on approach that includes solos, duets, and larger ensembles. This course is
intended only for those students with no prior knowledge of the guitar or less than six months experience.
 

INTERMEDIATE GUITAR (AD) GRADES 9-12 This semester course is designed to expand
the performing ability of students with playing experience on the guitar and/or to continue a student.s progress from the
introductory course. Emphasis will be placed on chords, hand positions, and melodic techniques. Students with guitar
experience may elect this course with the instructor's approval.

IMPROVISATION (AD) GRADES 9-12 This course will study the notation used in jazz and popular music
today (i.e.,Gmi7, C9, Fmaj7). Music theory skills necessary to voice chords, create bass lines,and select the proper
improvisation scales will be taught. Traditional jazz literature will also be studied.Performance aspects of this course will
attempt to develop the creative abilities of the instrumentalist. The ability to read music is a prerequisite. Percussion
players are required to double on mallets or keyboard.