Music

MUSIC

*A list of courses that will alternate with A/B music courses will be available before registration. (These courses can apply towards Practical/Fine Arts 1.00 credit requirement)

GENERAL MUSIC

Class: Exploring Music Theory and Composition Course Number: 1913 Credit: 0.5 Grade Level: 11-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: No This course will provide an introduction to music theory and music composition. Students will be introduced to music performance skills, aural skills, compositional skills, and analytical skills through the exploration of notation, musical terminology, score study and analysis, ear training and composition.

Band Enrollment

Class: Concert Band Course Number: 1901A Alt & 1901B Alt Credit: 1.0 (Meets all year on alternating day schedule) Grade Level: 9-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): Recommendation of middle level instructor or consent of high school instructor Weighted: No Band is designed to provide students an opportunity to perform and understand quality music in a variety of styles at a technically appropriate level. Instruction is provided to accommodate a variety of needs with a goal of fostering independent musicianship and problem solving skills. Through the rehearsal process, students will study music from a theoretical, historical, cultural, technical, and esthetic perspective. Students will also study the tools and techniques composers use to elicit the aesthetic and emotional response unique to each piece of music being studied. Obligations include concerts, home football games, basketball games, and parades as outlined in the course syllabus. Commitment to the group is a basic expectation of this course. Class: Digital Music for Musicians and Non-Musicians Course Number: 1914 Credit: 0.5 Grade Level: 9-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: No This course will allow students who have little or no music experience to create their own music experience through the use of virtual instruments and the music mixing program GarageBand. Students will learn the “language of music” through an introduction to the elements; melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, texture and form. Students will explore how to create with the music platform GarageBand. Students will analyze how music creates and adds meaning to other artistic works including film. Students will analyze and identify the elements of the musical genre of their choice. Finally students will implement their learning by designing and creating a final project. Potential projects include: songwriting, recording and mixing, creating ringtones, creating a music focused podcast, composing and mixing an

All incoming 9th grade band students should register for Concert Band. Auditions for placement into the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble will occur by Mid-May of the preceding school year. The typical sequence for band students is Concert Band as a freshman the Symphonic or Wind Ensemble based on placement after auditions in the sophomore, junior, and senior years.

instrumental work, or creating an original music video. Class: Symphonic Band Course Number: 1907A Alt & 1907B Alt Credit: 1.0 (Meets all year on alternating day schedule) Grade Level: 10-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): By audition only Weighted: No Band is designed to provide students an opportunity to perform and understand quality music in a variety of styles at a technically appropriate level. Instruction is provided to accommodate a variety of needs with a goal of fostering independent musicianship and problem solving skills. Through the rehearsal process, students will study music from a theoretical, historical, cultural, technical, and esthetic perspective. Students will also study the tools and techniques composers use to elicit the aesthetic and emotional response unique to each piece of music being studied. Obligations include concerts, home football games, basketball games, and parades as outlined in the course syllabus. Commitment to the group is a basic expectation of this course.

Class: Wind Ensemble Course Number: 1905A Alt & 1905B Alt Credit: 1.0 (Meets all year on alternating day schedule) Grade Level: 10-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): By audition only Weighted: No Band is designed to provide students an opportunity to perform and understand quality music in a variety of styles at a technically appropriate level. Instruction is provided to accommodate a variety of needs with a goal of fostering independent musicianship and problem solving skills. Through the rehearsal process, students will study music from a theoretical, historical, cultural, technical, and esthetic perspective. Students will also study the tools and techniques composers use to elicit the aesthetic and emotional response unique to each piece of music being studied. Obligations include concerts, home football games, basketball games, and parades as outlined in the course syllabus. Commitment to the group is a basic expectation of this course.

Chorale Enrollment

All incoming 9th grade female students should register for Treble Choir. All incoming 9th grade male students should register for Concert Choir. Auditions for placement into the Chorale, Women’s Choir (BEHS) and Chamber Choir will occur before April of the preceding school year. Please note: Chorale courses are year long, cumulative experience. The typical sequence for a female choir student is Treble Choir and then Concert Choir or audition into Chorale/Women’s Choir/Chamber Choir in their sophomore, junior, and senior years. The typical sequence for a male choir student is Concert Choir, and then auditions into Chorale/Chamber choir in their sophomore, junior, and senior years.

Class: Chamber Choir Course Number: 1906A Alt & 1906B Alt Credit: 1.0 (Meets all year on alternating day schedule) Grade Level: 10-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): Audition/Instructor consent Weighted: No The four high school choirs are based upon large ensemble lay-out; mixed ensembles are divided into three and four part singing, with chamber choir sometimes dividing into smaller sections (SAB/SATB) and female ensembles into three and four part singing (SSA/SSAA) Through the rehearsal process, students will study music from a theoretical, historical, cultural, technical, and esthetic perspective appropriate to their level of comprehension, while utilizing healthy and appropriate vocal technique. The objective is to perform quality high school/collegiate level literature of moderate to advanced difficulty that spans many genres including sacred, secular, pop, and jazz. Students will also study the tools and techniques composers use to elicit the aesthetic and emotional response unique to each piece of music being studied. Mandatory obligations of the course include inschool/morning rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and concerts, as outlined in the course syllabus. Commitment to the group is a basic expectation of the course. (*Each singer must purchase portions of their choir uniform.) Recommended sight reading skills and knowledge of music theory concepts differs for each ensemble and is recommended at a high level for auditioned ensembles. The music selected for every ensemble is the “textbook” for the course and serves as a vehicle to teach specific musical concepts. Great care is taken to select quality literature that is technically and musically appropriate for the unique needs of each ensemble. There is a consistent use of four-part construction (sometimes six parts), and the composer’s use of rhythms, key signature, meter, and texture fall at various levels of difficulty, providing challenges for music readers, but also a means for gradual growth for those who are just beginning their music experiences. Class: Concert Choir Course Number: 1903A Alt & 1903B Alt Credit: 1.0 (Meets all year on alternating day schedule) Grade Level: 9th male only; 10-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: No The four high school choirs are based upon large ensemble lay-out; mixed ensembles are divided into three and four part singing, with chamber choir sometimes dividing into smaller sections (SAB/SATB) and female ensembles into three and four part singing (SSA/SSAA) Through the rehearsal process, students will study music from a theoretical, historical, cultural, technical, and esthetic perspective appropriate to their level of comprehension, while utilizing healthy and appropriate vocal technique. The objective is to perform quality high school/collegiate level literature of moderate to advanced difficulty that spans many genres including sacred, secular, pop, and jazz. Students will also study the tools and techniques composers use to elicit the aesthetic and emotional response unique to each piece of music being studied. Mandatory obligations of the course include inschool/morning rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and concerts, as outlined in the course syllabus. Commitment to the group is a basic expectation of the course. (*Each singer must purchase portions of their choir uniform.) Recommended sight reading skills and knowledge of music theory concepts differs for each ensemble and is recommended at a high level for auditioned ensembles. The music selected for every ensemble is the “textbook” for the course and serves as a vehicle to teach specific musical concepts. Great care is taken to select quality literature that is technically and musically appropriate for the unique needs of each ensemble. There is a consistent use of four-part construction (sometimes six parts), and the composer’s use of rhythms, key signature, meter, and texture fall at various levels of difficulty, providing challenges for music readers, but also a means for gradual growth for those who are just beginning their music experiences.

Class: Treble Choir Course Number: 1902A Alt & 1902B Alt Credit: 1.0 (Meets all year on alternating day schedule) Grade Level: 9th female only Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: No The four high school choirs are based upon large ensemble lay-out; mixed ensembles are divided into three and four part singing, with chamber choir sometimes dividing into smaller sections (SAB/SATB) and female ensembles into three and four part singing (SSA/SSAA) Through the rehearsal process, students will study music from a theoretical, historical, cultural, technical, and esthetic perspective appropriate to their level of comprehension, while utilizing healthy and appropriate vocal technique. The objective is to perform quality high school/collegiate level literature of moderate to advanced difficulty that spans many genres including sacred, secular, pop, and jazz. Students will also study the tools and techniques composers use to elicit the aesthetic and emotional response unique to each piece of music being studied. Mandatory obligations of the course include inschool/morning rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and concerts, as outlined in the course syllabus. Commitment to the group is a basic expectation of the course. (*Each singer must purchase portions of their choir uniform.) Recommended sight reading skills and knowledge of music theory concepts differs for each ensemble and is recommended at a high level for auditioned ensembles. The music selected for every ensemble is the “textbook” for the course and serves as a vehicle to teach specific musical concepts. Great care is taken to select quality literature that is technically and musically appropriate for the unique needs of each ensemble. There is a consistent use of four-part construction (sometimes six parts), and the composer’s use of rhythms, key signature, meter, and texture fall at various levels of difficulty, providing challenges for music readers, but also a means for gradual growth for those who are just beginning their music experiences. Class: Women’s Ensemble Course Number: 1908A Alt & 1908B Alt Credit: 1.0 (Meets all year on alternating day schedule) Grade Level: 10-12 female Recommended Prerequisite(s): Audition/Instructor consent Weighted: No (offered at BEHS only) The four high school choirs are based upon large ensemble lay-out; mixed ensembles are divided into three and four part singing, with chamber choir sometimes dividing into smaller sections (SAB/SATB) and female ensembles into three and four part singing (SSA/SSAA) Through the rehearsal process, students will study music from a theoretical, historical, cultural, technical, and esthetic perspective appropriate to their level of comprehension, while utilizing healthy and appropriate vocal technique. The objective is to perform quality high school/collegiate level literature of moderate to advanced difficulty that spans many genres including sacred, secular, pop, and jazz. Students will also study the tools and techniques composers use to elicit the aesthetic and emotional response unique to each piece of music being studied. Mandatory obligations of the course include inschool/morning rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and concerts, as outlined in the course syllabus. Commitment to the group is a basic expectation of the course. (*Each singer must purchase portions of their choir uniform.) Recommended sight reading skills and knowledge of music theory concepts differs for each ensemble and is recommended at a high level for auditioned ensembles. The music selected for every ensemble is the “textbook” for the course and serves as a vehicle to teach specific musical concepts. Great care is taken to select quality literature that is technically and musically appropriate for the unique needs of each ensemble. There is a consistent use of four-part construction (sometimes six parts), and the composer’s use of rhythms, key signature, meter, and texture fall at various levels of difficulty, providing challenges for music readers, but also a means for gradual growth for those who are just beginning their music experiences.

Class: Chamber Orchestra Course Number: 1909A Alt & 1909B Alt Credit: 1.0 (Meets all year on alternating day schedule) Grade Level: 10-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): One year in Symphony Orchestra, Audition (including Class A Solo, 3 Octave Scales, Sight-reading) Weighted: No Orchestra classes provide a learning environment for students to develop musical knowledge, skills, and understandings through a variety of experiences - creating, performing, responding to, and making connections to music - ultimately building a lifelong appreciation of music. The orchestra curriculum aims to expand students’ understanding of music within larger personal, cultural, and historical contexts through performance inquiry, theoretical study, and connection with peers through music. Large ensemble instruction utilizes both traditional rehearsal models as well as personalized learning opportunities to enhance student’s experience and interaction with the curriculum. Creating, Performing, and Responding, and Connecting will all be addressed within the large ensemble structure through study of quality orchestral literature as well as music history and theory. Students will work toward fostering independent musicianship and problem solving skills through their participation in orchestra. Commitment to the group is a basic expectation of this course. Class: Symphony Orchestra Course Number: 1904A Alt & 1904B Alt Credit: 1.0 (Meets all year on alternating day schedule) Grade Level: 9-12 Recommended Prerequisite(s): None Weighted: No Orchestra classes provide a learning environment for students to develop musical knowledge, skills, and understandings through a variety of experiences - creating, performing, responding to, and making connections to music - ultimately building a lifelong appreciation of music. The orchestra curriculum aims to expand students’ understanding of music within larger personal, cultural, and historical contexts through performance inquiry, theoretical study, and connection with peers through music. Large ensemble instruction utilizes both traditional rehearsal models as well as personalized learning opportunities to enhance student’s experience and interaction with the curriculum. Creating, Performing, and Responding, and Connecting will all be addressed within the large ensemble structure through study of quality orchestral literature as well as music history and theory. Students will work toward fostering independent musicianship and problem solving skills through their participation in orchestra. Commitment to the group is a basic expectation of this course.