Music Department

PHILOSOPHY

Villa Walsh Academy encourages critical and creative thinking. We seek to emphasize conceptual understanding and competence in areas that engage students in the actual process of music making: creating, performing, and responding.

We believe that students need to experience the creative process to be successful in all aspects of their lives: as musicians, in academic studies, and in their personal lives. We believe that performance is incorporated in all facets of life, whether it be as a singer, instrumentalist or within a chosen career. We believe that students emotionally respond to music, as well as to their culture, their community, and their colleagues.

For these reasons, music is considered an integral part of the total education program of Villa Walsh Academy. With involvement in the musical process, we hope to meet the individual needs of all students searching for creative fulfillment, musical understanding, and inspiration.

CHORUS

Grades: 7-12 Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None Course Description: Choral singing is a performing art. The choral program provides each student with the opportunity to build musical independence and build critical thinking skills. The program is inclusive and offers participation to all who wish to sing. The art of choral singing involves the senses, perception, creativity and imagination; qualities essential to human development. Students study choral music of the highest quality, representing a diverse repertoire from various historical and cultural genres. Participation in the Choral Program and Music Ministry at Villa Walsh Academy is a commitment to personal responsibility in class, dress rehearsals, liturgies, and concerts. Ultimately, the choral experience serves to foster the student' s lifelong love and appreciation for music in performance and worship.

MUSIC THEORY Grades: 11, 12 Credits: 3 Prerequisites: Keyboard skills, 2 year minimum of study on an applied instrument Course Description: Music Theory is an in-depth study of the fundamental elements of music: pitch, rhythm, melody, harmony and form. Students explore the theoretical constructs of the 17th and 18th centuries. Through improvisation, composition, analysis, critical listening and performance, the elements of music are examined for their distinctive roles in musical organization. The course also provides an overview of the historical, cultural, and artistic setting of the works utilized for illustrative purposes.

AP MUSIC THEORY ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Grade: 12 Credits: 6 Prerequisites: Keyboard skills, 2 year minimum of study on an applied instrument Course Description: AP Music Theory is designed for the academically and musically gifted student who is considering music as a formal pursuit upon graduation. The course encompasses an in-depth study of the fundamental elements of music: pitch, rhythm, melody, harmony, and form; it explores the theoretical constructs of the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th Century. Through improvisation, composition, analysis, critical listening and performance, the elements of music are examined for their distinctive roles in musical organization. The course provides an overview of the historical, cultural, and artistic setting of the works utilized for illustrative purposes. Individual research, musical analysis projects, composition assignments, listening lab, and completion of basic musicianship skills equivalent to the freshman college level are assigned and required. At the conclusion of the academic year, students are required to take the Advanced Placement Music Theory Examination.

DANCE

Grades: 10, 11, 12 Credits: 2

Prerequisites: None Course Description: Villa Walsh Academy ’ s Dance Ensemble focuses on exploring the art of dance in all aspects, from physical strengthening, to artistic expression and performance. Each meeting time, students engage in a movement class and will collaborate on pieces for school assemblies, concerts and shows. Dance genres taught include modern, ballet and jazz dance with explorations in cultural dances from around the world. To fully immerse students in the study of movement, Dance History and notation is introduced. This course is open to all who wish to both explore the art form and be involved in performance and outreach.