Music

This course is the high school entry-level course to the vocal music program. Emphasis is placed on developing good vocal tone quality, introduction to reading musical scores, discriminative listening and the study of good choral literature. Students are required to participate in in-school and evening performances as part of the course. In addition, students may be required to audition for district and state music ensembles when appropriate.

Chorus instruction stresses the expression of music through the art of singing. The classes include vocal training, instruction in reading vocal music and the study and use of a broad range of music literature. Activities include public performances that will be required as part of each course. In addition, students must audition for district and state music ensembles when appropriate.

A Cappella Choir is a select choir which stresses the expression of music through the art of singing in a large ensemble. Emphasis is placed on the development of tone quality in the voice, blend and balance, sight-reading proficiency, ear training, expansion of range, proper vocal production and the ability maintain three and four part music. Rehearsals and performances outside the regular school day will be scheduled and will be required. Students must participate in formal concerts, audition for district and state ensembles when appropriate, and participate in choral assessment performing level III-V music.

This course emphasizes musical communication through the use of voice and dance in a large ensemble. Emphasis is placed on vocal tone, blend and balance, the ability to maintain three and four part music while performing choreographed movement. Students will perform custom arranged contemporary music as well as choral literature graded III-VI. Rehearsals and performances outside the regular school day will be scheduled and will be required to fulfill the requirements of the course. Students are required to participate in formal concerts, audition for district and state ensembles when appropriate, and participate in competitions when available.

Vocal Ensemble emphasizes musical communications through the use of the voice, individually and in small ensembles. Instruction includes ear training and sight singing in addition to advanced vocal techniques to include interpretation of the vocal score. Rehearsals and performances outside the regular school day will be scheduled and will be required. Students must participate in formal concerts, audition for district and state ensembles when appropriate, and participate in choral assessment performing level IV-VI music. Students will be required to create choral compositions based on learned music theory. In addition, students will develop a portfolio of their best work to include demonstration of different genres of music performance.

An active band program is available to high school students who wish to develop proficiency on an instrument through class instruction and performance in the school band. Students will develop artistic proficiency through performance of instrumental works at a minimum VBODA grade III that demand solo quality tone and sensitive interpretation with attention to the intricacies of their instrument. Rehearsals are considered as a lab to instructional periods and are scheduled each week during school and for a minimum of 2 weeks in August. The instructional and rehearsal sessions culminate in performances, including concert and marching activities, which are required to fulfill the requirements of the course. Students are required to audition for city, district, and state event ensembles when appropriate.

Students will continue instruction on the instrument of their choice focusing on solo quality tone, intonation and technique. Student will develop artistic proficiency through performance of instrumental works at a minimum VBODA grade IV. Rehearsals are considered as a lab to instructional periods and are scheduled each week during school and for a minimum of two weeks in August. The instructional and rehearsal sessions culminate in performances, including concert and marching activities, which are required to fulfill the requirements of the course. Students are required to audition for city, district, and state ensembles.

Symphonic Band is the most advanced class in instrumental music artistry. Advanced music literature, VBODA grade V and VI will be studied through performance in a symphonic wind and percussion ensemble of a professional caliber. Rehearsals are considered as a lab to instructional periods and are scheduled each week during the school and for a minimum of two weeks in August. Activities include concert and marching band, to include public performances that are required to fulfill the requirements of the course. In addition, students must audition for city, district, and state ensembles.

Jazz Ensemble is a course for advanced students interested in a thorough study and performance of modern contemporary music. Rehearsals and performances outside the regular school day will be scheduled and will be required to fulfill the requirements for the course. In addition, students must audition for district and state music ensembles when appropriate. Advanced music literature comparable to VBODA IV-VI will be studied through performance.

The orchestra program is designed to help the student develop the knowledge, skills and techniques necessary to express him/herself musically through the medium of a string instrument of the orchestra. Members of the class are expected to perform in the orchestra as a soloist and as a member of small or large ensembles. At least one after-school rehearsal is scheduled each week as a laboratory for the instructional periods. The instructional and rehearsal sessions culminate in concert performances that are required to fulfill the requirements of the course. Minimal performance level expected is VBODA grade III & IV. Students are expected to audition for city and regional events. Study will include music theory and history as appropriate for grade III literature. Students will be required to take a written and performance exam at the end of the semester.

Members of the advanced class are expected to perform in the orchestra as a soloist and as a member of small or large ensembles. At least one after-school rehearsal is scheduled each week as a laboratory for the instructional periods. Instructional and rehearsal sessions culminate in concert performances that are required to fulfill the requirements of the course. Minimal performance level expected is VBODA grade V & VI. In addition, students must audition for city, regional, district and state events when eligible. Study will include music theory and history as appropriate for grade V & VI orchestra literature. Students will be required to take a written and performance exam at the end of the semester and are expected to develop a portfolio of performance material.

The guitar program teaches the fundamentals of music, note reading, and music theory, which are used as the basis of study while finger dexterity is being developed. The more advanced students extend their ability to read music for the guitar in a variety of musical styles. Various picking and strumming styles are developed in addition to different tunings, more difficult chords, and solo guitar selections. Rehearsals and performances outside the regular school day will be scheduled and will be required to fulfill requirements for the course. Beginning Guitar will perform Grade I-III level arrangements. Intermediate level requirement includes Grade II-V arrangements.

Advanced students will continue developing prior competencies in musicianship to demonstrate advanced proficiency. Rehearsals and performances outside the regular school day will be scheduled and will be required to fulfill the requirements for the course. Students will be required to perform chamber and solo music as well as personal compositions. Advanced level musical selections range from Grade V-VI level arrangements.

Music Appreciation is a semester course designed for students interested in learning to understand and enjoy music. Students will analyze and listen to recorded music and may be required to attend pre-approved live music performances. Students learn to recognize and describe music using appropriate vocabulary and to make value judgements regarding performances and style.

AP Music Theory continues to emphasize ear training and principles of harmony. Students are expected to write and harmonize melodies in major and minor keys. Musical form is studied through the analysis of music scores and composition and the keyboard capability extends to performance of simple four-part harmony. Discriminate listening and aural analysis will be included. In addition, students will be required to develop a portfolio of “best work” across all content areas. Students prepare for and take the College Board’s Advanced Placement Test and those who receive an acceptable score on the test may receive college credit and/or advanced standing in college.

Music Technology is a yearlong course designed for students interested in learning how to use DAW’s (Digital Audio Workstations) in order to create sequence, and mix digital music through the use of samples, interfaces, MIDI and various recording software, they will also examine college and career pathways in Music Technology and study current industry standards of producing, marketing and licensing.

Music theory I includes ear training, basic theory, and principles of musicianship and harmony in addition to basic keyboard skills. There are exercises in writing simple rhythmic, melodic and chord progressions and in acquiring proficiency on an instrument of the student’s choice. In addition, students will be required to develop a portfolio of “best work” across all content areas.

Piano performance emphasizes accurate keyboard and technical skills, such as scales, arpeggios, and other techniques. This course incorporates concepts of technique, including music theory appropriate to the student. Rehearsals and performances outside of the regular school day will be scheduled and will be required to fulfill requirements of the course. Performance I students will learn and perform Grade I & II arrangements, Performance II students will learn and perform Grade III & IV arrangements, and Performance III students will learn and perform Grade V & VI arrangements.

Students will begin instruction on a band instrument. Students will demonstrate proper care of the instrument and will be familiar with the technology of the instrument. They will demonstrate basic positions, tone production and fingerings, and will count, read and perform the beginning level of music being studied.

Students will begin instruction on a string instrument. Students will demonstrate proper care of the instrument and will be familiar with the technology of the instrument. They will demonstrate basic positions, tone production and fingerings, and will count, read, and perform the beginning level of music being studied.

Chorus Grade 7 emphasizes fundamental vocal development, traditional notation and the introduction to ensemble singing. This course requires performance, creativity and investigation at a fundamental level.

Students may begin or continue instruction on a band instrument. Students will demonstrate proper care of the instrument and will be familiar with the technology of the instrument. They will demonstrate basic positions, tone production and fingerings, and will count, read, and perform the intermediate level of music being studied.

Students may begin or continue instruction on a string instrument. Students will demonstrate proper care of the instrument and will be familiar with the technology of the instrument. They will demonstrate basic positions, tone production and fingerings, and will count, read, and perform the intermediate level of music being studied.

Chorus Grade 8 emphasizes developing good fundamental vocal tone quality, traditional notation, ensemble singing and introduction to discriminative listening. Students are required to participate in performances as part of the course.

Students will continue instruction on a band instrument of their choice. Students will demonstrate proper care of the instrument and will be familiar with the technology of the instrument. They will demonstrate basic positions, tone production and fingerings, and will count, read, and perform the advanced level of music being studied.

Students will continue instruction on a string instrument of their choice. Students will demonstrate proper care of the instrument and will be familiar with the technology of the instrument. They will demonstrate basic positions, tone production and fingerings, and will count, read, and perform the advanced level of music being studied.