Music

Music students may work in a wide range of instrumental and/or vocal areas. In all courses, study includes music history, technique, and composition as well as performance skills and opportunities to work with professionals. Music students benefit from large and small group ensemble work as well as sectionals on individual instruments. Strings, Vocal, and Instrumental (woodwinds, brass, percussion) tracks are available. All courses except Explore and Level One require the recommendation of the instructor.

• Music Explore: (1 Semester)
  Overview Statement: By the end of Music Explore, the students will demonstrate an understanding of duple and triple meter. They will use music vocabulary to articulate the qualities of vocal and instrumental performance. Students will be able to notate simple patterns of rhythm and melody, compose and perform basic melodies and harmonies, and improvise within a pentatonic framework. Expectations include participation in ensemble through a variety of settings as well as partner singing in simple 2-part canon.

 

• Music Level One:
                    Band (trombone, trumpet, clarinet, flute ONLY)
                    Orchestra (violin, viola, cello, string bass)
                    Choir (soprano, alto, tenor, bass)
  Overview Statement: In addition to expectations for Music Explore, students in Music Level One will understand the concepts of major and minor tonality, be able to sight read a simple melody using systems of syllables, notes, or letter names, improvise diatonic melodies and rhythms, match pitch, and identify accurate intonation. They will demonstrate focus and performance preparedness, proper technique, dynamic expression, and appropriate care and use of instruments.

 

• Music Level Two:
                    Band (expands to all woodwind, bass and percussion instruments)
  Overview Statement: Prerequesite - Completion of level one and teacher recommendation. In addition to expectations for Music Level One, students in Music Level Two will be able to perform in small and/or large ensembles, in keys with up to three sharps and flats and their relative minor. They will know how to produce good tone using accurate intonation and dynamic contrast within an ensemble setting. They will be able to sight-read complex melodies and rehearse independently with mature discipline. Students will have an understanding of basic functional harmony within a diatonic framework.

 

• Music Level Three:
  Overview Statement: Prerequisite - Completion of level two and teacher recommendation. In addition to expectations for Music Level Two, students in Music Level Three will be able to perform in small and/or large ensembles, read, and understand music in keys with up to four sharps and flats, and their relative minor. They will be able to perform, with confidence, music with syncopated rhythms and irregular meters. Students will gain an understanding of how music blends within the larger historical and cultural framework of society. Students will have an understanding of basic functional harmony.

 

• Music Focus:
  Overview Statement: Prerequisite - Teacher recommendation. In addition to expectations for Music Level Three, students in Music Focus will be able to prepare for a college or professional audition, teach/mentor another student or ensemble, communicate on professional level in any type of musical situation. Technically, they will be able to play and/or sign in all major and minor keys as well as identify and demonstrate mixed meters, polyrhythms, and hemiolas. They will compose and transpose small and large group literature, read a score, and independently prepare for most music rehearsal and performance situations. Focus students will use music in interdisciplinary projects and be able to independently identify music from a variety of styles and/or genres.

 

• Music Theory and Composition:
  Overview Statement: Prerequisite - Teacher recommendation. Upon entering this course, students will have demonstrated basic knowledge of music literacy, appropriate technique in vocal and/or instrumental performance (up to the expectation of level two) and a basic knowledge of improvisation and composition. Students in the class will extend their experience in functional harmony, compositional skills and improvisational techniques, as well as apply their learning in interdisciplinary projects.

 

• Piano Projects:
  Overview Statement: Prerequisite – Teacher recommendation. Students in this class will work on a variety of projects including composition, pedagogy, accompanying skills and research. They will work on individual projects and one class project each semester. Upon entering Piano Projects students must demonstrate basic knowledge of music literacy and level II piano sight-reading skills. Students must be focused and able to work independently on their assigned projects.

 

Recording Arts

Recording Arts Technology (1, 2) Course code: 0771/0772, 0781/0782 Open to grades: 9-10-11-12 Credit earned: 1.0 Occupational Ed.

Overview Statement: In this course, students will acquire the essential skills and knowledge to produce quality audio projects. Course topics include; an overview of Electronic Circuits and Signal Flow, the Physics of Music, Sound, and Acoustics, Microphone and Loudspeaker Design, and Equipment Set-up/Operation/Maintenance. This course also includes a comprehensive overview of recording techniques and microphone applications for stage and studio work. Students will complete assignments and projects that take them through all phases of audio production, from pre-planning, to set-up, recording/tracking, editing, mixing, and production mastering. In this process, students will assume roles and duties that are found in the professional Recording Studio and Sound Reinforcement workplace

Staff:

Luke Brockman

Margaret Green

Ann Medellin

David Tang