Guitar Lab 1
Grades 9/10/11/12, #MUS031, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
This course is designed for any student who wishes to learn the fundamentals of playing the guitar. A solid foundation of guitar technique, note reading and ensemble experiences will be presented to the student. Students will develop proficiency in the following areas: reading standard music notation, playing melodies in first position, strum patterns, open chords, and playing in an ensemble. The students’ guitar playing will be assessed through proficiencies and in class recitals. Successful completion of Guitar Lab 1 will provide the student with a solid foundation for future guitar studies. Students do not need to provide their own guitar in order to take this course.
Guitar Lab 2
Grades 9/10/11/12, #MUS032, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Guitar Lab 1 or permission from the instructor.
This course is designed for the guitarist who has become proficient in the skills presented in Guitar Lab 1. Continued development of guitar technique, note reading and ensemble experience will be presented to the student. Students will develop proficiency in the following areas: scales and melodies in higher positions, advanced strumming techniques, barre chords, reading more complicated rhythms, beginning fingerstyle technique, and improvisation. Students do not need to provide their own guitar in order to take this course.
Guitar Lab 3
Grades 10/11/12, #MUS033, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Guitar Lab 2 or permission from the instructor.
This course is designed for the advanced guitarist who has become proficient in the skills presented in Guitar Lab 1 and Guitar Lab 2. In an open lab setting, students will continue to develop their skills in note reading, improvisation, and repertoire by focusing on a style of their choice. The student can choose from the following tracks to focus on in this class: rock, jazz, classical/fingerstyle, or singer-songwriter. Students are strongly encouraged to have access to a guitar at home while taking this course.
Guitar Lab 4
Grades 10/11/12, #MUS034, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Guitar Lab 3 or permission from the instructor.
This course is designed for the advanced guitarist who has become proficient in the skills presented in Guitar Lab 1, Guitar Lab 2 and Guitar Lab 3. In an open lab setting, students will continue to develop their skills in note reading, improvisation, and repertoire by focusing on a style of their choice. The student can choose from the following tracks to focus on in this class: rock, jazz, classical/fingerstyle, or singer-songwriter. Students are strongly encouraged to have access to a guitar at home while taking this course.
IB Music
Grades 10/11/12, #IBO612, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY)
The primary goal of IB Music is for students to engage with music as Researchers, Creators, & Performers. Throughout the course, students Explore, Experiment with, and Present music from a diverse range of genres and cultures. The class is structured around the study of musical figures such as John Cage, Bob Dylan, Ravi Shankar, Yo-Yo Ma, Billie Holiday, and Lin-Manuel Miranda (among others). Daily activities for this class include listening to music and analyzing its musical content, reading musical scores, composing and/or arranging music, and writing about music analytically and critically. The class is project-based (there are no tests), affording students the opportunity to complete a portfolio, which may be submitted to the IBO for college credit (similar to an AP class).
PLEASE NOTE: Students enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme take IB Music concurrently with Theory of Knowledge. Therefore, you would take IB Music the fall of your junior year and the spring of your senior year. (For all others, it is a typical year-long course.) Also, IB Music does not meet on Thursdays, so you may take it in conjunction with an AP/IB science class with a double lab period on Thursdays.
Music Keyboarding
Grades 9/10/11/12, #MUS041, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
This course allows students to develop basic keyboard skills and music reading skills. Students will master the playing of a variety of scales, chords, and arpeggios and will learn to harmonize melodies at the keyboard. Experiences with individual and ensemble playing are incorporated throughout the course. Beginners and experienced keyboardists are encouraged to enroll.
Music Keyboarding 2
Grades 9/10/11/12, #MUS042, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
Taught simultaneously alongside Music Keyboarding 1, Music Keyboarding 2 will allow students to work independently through scales, arpeggios, chord progressions, and repertoire selected collaboratively by each student and the instructor. In addition to repertoire and technique, students will develop their skills in keyboard harmonization and accompaniment improvisation. Students may work collaboratively with other students to rehearse and perform duets.
Music Production
Grades 9/10/11/12, #MUS022, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
This course will introduce students to a range of music technology topics including basic audio system operation, digital audio, MIDI, music sequencing, and music notation. Emphasis is placed upon advancing students’ digital literacy and technical abilities through individual and collaborative projects. It is the goal of the course to increase opportunities beyond the world of traditional music education and traditional music performance into a world of career opportunities that exist in the 21st Century job market: Film scoring, commercial advertising, media production, acoustic engineering, TV/Radio production, e-media/web production, electronic systems design, music composing, and arranging, etc.
Music Production 2
Grades 9/10/11/12, #MUS023, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
This course is a continuation of Music Production 1. Students enrolled in this course have opportunities to apply the skills learned in the first semester of the course. Students will continue to explore a range of music technology topics including basic audio system operation, digital audio, MIDI, music sequencing, and music notation. Emphasis is placed upon advancing students’ digital literacy and technical abilities through individual and collaborative projects. The concepts explored in this course will increase opportunities beyond the world of traditional music education and traditional music performance into a world of career opportunities that exist in the 21st Century job market: Film scoring, commercial advertising, media production, acoustic engineering, TV/Radio production, e-media/web production, electronic systems design, music composing, and arranging, etc.
Musical Theater
Grades 9/10/11/12, #MUS015, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
This course is designed for students who wish to develop a deeper understanding of musical theater and wish to develop their skills as a musical theater performer. The class will trace the development of this art form, focusing on major trends, composers and pivotal shows during the past 100 years. Students will learn helpful strategies for auditioning for musical theater on the high school, community and professional levels. Students will learn how to prepare an appropriate resume and how to choose audition songs and monologues. All students enrolled will be expected to participate fully in the performance component of this class, which will include singing, dancing and acting. Each student will be required to complete in-class solo performances of one musical theater song and one monologue each marking period.
Music Theory 1
Grades 9/10/11/12, #MUS011, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
This course is an in-depth study of the fundamentals of music. The topics include the properties of sound, music notation, intervals and scales, transposition, chords, symbolization and musical terms. Additionally, there is an introductory ear training component to this course that includes sight-singing and melodic dictation. Students who enroll in this course should have a command of basic music reading skills and are recommended (but not required) to take Music Keyboarding as a prerequisite. This class serves as a prerequisite for AP Music Theory.
AP Music Theory
Grades 10/11/12, #MUS021, 1 credit, weight 1.10, 5 periods (FY)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Music Theory 1 or permission from the instructor.
This course is designed to be the equivalent of an introductory college-level music theory course addressing the structural elements of music. The topics include: functional harmony, melodic organization, texture, voice leading, seventh and ninth chords, secondary dominant and leading tone chords, modulation and form. Additionally, there is an advanced ear training component to this course, which includes sight-singing and melodic/harmonic dictation.
Popular Music in America
Grades 9/10/11/12, #MUS014, ½ credit, 5 periods (S)
Popular Music in America examines the history and influence of American music within the broader context of American culture. The primary goal of the course is to forge connections between the world of contemporary pop music and the historical roots of this music. Students will learn to distinguish between different styles and genres and will gain a solid understanding of how popular music is constructed and produced. Diverse styles that students will explore include (but are not limited to): rock, R&B, hip hop, country, folk, pop, and electronic music.
performing groups
Students electing Co-Curricular music electives should be aware that in addition to classroom activities during the school day, students are also required to participate in additional concerts/performances outside of the school day.
Students should be advised that Band, Orchestra and Chorus can be taken in conjunction with many AP Science classes that require a double lab period and Online Physical Education. In cases where these classes overlap, students will be permitted to attend the lab period or Online PE class meeting in lieu of Band, Orchestra and Chorus. Please see your school counselor or a music performing group director if you have questions about this provision.
Students may choose from the following options by grade level (see online course selection form):
- Chorus Only #MUS050
- Symphonic Band Only #MUS051
- Orchestra Only #MUS052
- Chorus/Band #MUS053
- Chorus/Orchestra #MUS054
- Band/Orchestra #MUS055
- Chorus/Band/Orchestra #MUS056
Chorus
1 credit, 5 periods (FY)
Prerequisite: Students wishing to take this course annually must have received a passing grade in the previous school year or seek permission of the instructor.
In this course, students will have an opportunity to perform and study a wide variety of choral literature. A strong emphasis will be placed on improving individual music reading ability and vocal production. Evaluative criteria will include: attendance at school-scheduled concerts, completion of music reading proficiencies, and rehearsal contribution, involvement, and preparation. Students enrolled in Chorus are required to attend small group rehearsals (sectionals) two times per marking period according to a rotating “pull-out” schedule. Attendance at dress rehearsals and concerts outside of the regular school day are also required; these dates are published on the official district calendar. There is no audition for entrance into this organization.
The Concert Choir is an extension of the high school Chorus. It is a 50- to 60-voice choir selected by audition each September. Admission to this ensemble is based heavily on music reading ability. The concert choir is intended to provide its members with an opportunity for further musical growth through the performance of challenging choral literature. All students enrolled in Chorus will have the opportunity to audition for Concert Choir in September.
Orchestra
1 credit, 5 periods (FY)
Prerequisite: Students wishing to take this course annually must have received a passing grade in the previous school year or seek permission of the instructor.
This course provides students of orchestral string instruments (violin, viola, cello and string bass) an opportunity to study and perform varied styles of orchestra music as well as develop individual performance skills. Students with previous experience on string instruments will receive automatic entrance into the Symphonic Orchestra and String Orchestra, while winds and percussionists will be selected by audition from those registered for Symphonic Band. (See separate course description.) Students enrolled in Orchestra are required to attend small group rehearsals (sectionals) two times per marking period according to a rotating “pull-out” schedule. Attendance at dress rehearsals and concerts outside of the regular school day are also required; these dates are published on the official district calendar.
Symphonic Band
1 credit, 5 periods (FY)
Prerequisite: Students wishing to take this course annually must have received a passing grade in the previous school year or seek permission of the instructor.
Symphonic Band provides students who study traditional band and percussion instruments the chance to discover, analyze, and perform both traditional and contemporary band music, as well as to improve their individual performance. Students will develop critical and creative thinking skills in the following areas: aural awareness, individual playing skills, and ensemble precision and balance. Students with previous experience on traditional band instruments (flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium/baritone, and tuba) are automatically admitted to the Symphonic Band. Percussion students who enroll in band are automatically entered into Percussion Ensemble, a musical group that allows percussion students to explore the wide variety of instruments, techniques, and musical styles within their chosen family of instruments. All students enrolled in Symphonic Band are required to attend small group rehearsals (sectionals) two times per marking period according to a “pull out” schedule. Attendance at dress rehearsals and concerts outside of the regular school day are also required; these dates are published on the official school calendar.