Music

(2) Semester Course  2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grades 9-12 (By Audition Only) 

Prerequisites: Students who have previously been in Concert Band do not need to audition.  All other students must audition for placement in the group. Positions are limited by instrumentation.

Concert Band is comprised of the most advanced wind and percussion students performing the highest quality literature for the wind band medium. The group is comprised 9th – 12th grade students who have been selected for the group by audition. The instrumentation of the group is limited to achieve balanced instrumentation. Emphasis is on the development of individual and ensemble musicianship and performance skills through the study of fine literature. Private instrumental lessons are highly recommended. Performances may include evening concerts, exchange concerts, festivals, community events, and parades. In the fall, the Concert Band will combine with the Symphonic Band for performances at all home football games as a “Pep Band”. Members are required to attend all band performances and rehearsals. Unexcused absence from performances or extra rehearsals will result in a lowered or failing grade and/or dismissal from the organization. Make up work will be offered for excused absences. Self and teacher assessments will be given on a regular basis.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Performing and Responding (Listening and Analyzing)
Performance (Ensemble Performance)
Performing (Rhythm)

(2) Semester Course  2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grades 9-12 

Prerequisites: Ability to play a band instrument

The Symphonic Band provides an opportunity for all wind and percussion players to study and enjoy music through the performance of a wide variety of wind band literature. In Symphonic Band, students concentrate on the intensive study of an instrument. Students are highly encouraged to take private lessons to further develop their instrumental skills. Performances may include evening concerts, exchange concerts, festivals, community events, and parades. The Symphonic Band will combine with the Concert Band in the fall in order to perform at all home football games as a “Pep Band”. Members are required to attend all band performances and rehearsals. Unexcused absence from performances or extra rehearsals will result in a lowered or failing grade and/or dismissal from the organization. Make up work will be offered for excused absences.  Self and teacher assessments will be given on a regular basis.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Performing and Responding (Listening and Analyzing)
Performance (Ensemble Performance)
Performing (Rhythm)

(2) Semester Course 2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grades 9-12 

Prerequisites: Ability to play an orchestral instrument

The String Orchestra provides an opportunity for all string instrument players to study and enjoy music through the performance of a wide variety of orchestral literature. In String Ensemble, students concentrate on the intensive study of violin, viola, cello or bass. Students are highly encouraged to take private lessons to further develop their instrumental skills. In addition to regular in school rehearsals, students may be required to attend some after school rehearsals. Performances may include evening concerts, festivals, and community events. Members are required to attend all String Ensemble performances and rehearsals. Unexcused absences from performances or extra rehearsals will result in a lowered or failing grade and/or dismissal from the organization. Self and teacher assessments will be given on a regular basis.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Performing and Responding (Listening and Analyzing)
Performance (Ensemble Performance)
Performing (Rhythm)

(2) Semester Course 2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grades 9-12 

Prerequisites: None

The chorus provides an opportunity for the study and the enjoyment of choral music. Students develop their music-reading skills, music literacy, and vocal technique through the study of a broad repertoire of choral literature. Performances may include evening concerts, festivals, and community events,. Additional performances may be added. The group may also perform at state and national festivals. This is a performance-based class, and attendance at all performances is mandatory. Unexcused absences from performances or extra rehearsals may result in a lowered or failing grade. No previous choral or musical training is necessary.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Performance (Ensemble Performance)
Performing and Responding (Listening and Analyzing)
Performing (Rhythm)

(2) Semester Course 2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grades 9-12 

Prerequisites: Ability to comfortably and safely sing from middle C (C4) to F5

The High School Choir provides the opportunity for the study of choral music, in a treble voice setting, on an advanced level.  The group performs a wide variety of choral repertoire. Personal musicianship skills developed through participation in this ensemble include vocal technique, music literacy, music theory, ear training, and performance experience. Ensemble skills that are developed include awareness of and sensitivity to ensemble tone quality, blend, balance, intonation, articulation, phrasing, dynamics, and style. Performances may include evening concerts, exchange concerts, festivals, and community events. Additional performances may be added. The group may also perform at state and national festivals. This is a performance-based class, and attendance at all performances is mandatory. Unexcused absences from performances or extra rehearsals may result in a lowered or failing grade. No previous choral or music training is necessary.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Performance (Ensemble Performance)
Performing and Responding (Listening and Analyzing)
Performing (Rhythm)

(2) Semester Course  2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grades 9-12 

Prerequisites: Ability to play the piano at a high level of proficiency and music teacher recommendation     

The accompanist plays piano for the chorus. A range of musical styles is required. The number of graduation credits awarded is dependent on how often the class meets.

Semester Course  2.5 credits

Open to:  Grades 9-12 

Prerequisites: None

How can technology be used to make music? This course is designed to give students the opportunity to be involved in music on a non-performance basis. Through software programs such as GarageBand, Audacity and Logic Pro, students will be introduced to digital sound tracking, loop manipulation, recording techniques, mixing, and digital composition to create musical projects. The basic principles of music will also be explored in the course.

Semester Course  2.5 credits

Open to:  Grades 9-12                                      

Prerequisites:  Teacher Recommendation, Music Technology I recommended

Building on the skills and knowledge learned in Music Technology I, students will learn advanced techniques for the production of digital music.  Topics will include composition, recording techniques, mixing and remixing. Students should be familiar with basic techniques as well as software including Audacity, GarageBand, and Logic Pro.

(2) Semester Course  2.5 credits/semester

Open to:  Grades 11-12

Prerequisites:  Teacher recommendation

This is a yearlong course that teaches a wide array of musical concepts. Along with music theory and beginning composition the students also deal with aural skills, dictation, and sight singing.  Students learn the basics of music notation and score analysis along with knowledge of basic tonal harmony in the eighteenth century common-practice period style. The ultimate goal of the course is to develop a student’s ability to recognize, understand, analyze, and describe the aspects and processes of music that is heard or seen on a score. Students engage in a variety of written, singing, and compositional exercises that teach them the many aspects of musical composition and analysis. The focus is on learning the foundational principles of music theory that lead to aptitude in analysis and beginning composition. Students who pass the AP exam may earn college credit at a number of colleges and universities. While not all students will likely attain this level of success, the instruction and practice in this course will serve to greatly enhance and improve a student’s ability to comprehend, analyze, and notate music in a traditional style.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Music Fundamentals I: Pitch, Major Scales and Key Signatures, Rhythm, Meter, and Expressive Elements
Music Fundamentals II: Minor Scales and Key Signatures, Melody, Timbre, and Texture
Music Fundamentals III: Triads and Seventh Chords
Harmony and Voice Leading I: Chord Function, Cadence, and Phrase
Harmony and Voice Leading II: Chord Progressions and Predominant Function
Harmony and Voice Leading III: Embellishments, Motives, and Melodic Devices
Harmony and Voice Leading IV: Secondary Function
Modes and Form

Semester Course        2.5 credits

Open to:  Grades 9-12                            

Prerequisites:  None

This introductory course is designed for true beginner who has no experience in guitar. Basic strum patterns, chords, progressions, and note reading are studied. Basic music theory and notation are covered as part of the curriculum.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Performing

Semester Course  2.5 credits

Open to:  Grades 9-12

Prerequisites:  Teacher Recommendation, Acoustic Guitar Workshop recommended

This course is for those of you who would like to continue what you started in Acoustic Guitar I. You will build on the basics that were studied in Acoustic Guitar Workshop I.  You will further develop left and right hand techniques as well as learn more about musical terms and theory, chording and moving smoothly from chord to chord. If you currently play guitar, approval from the music staff is required.

Curriculum Units and Learning Outcomes:

Performing