Music
“Music for everyone, everyone for music” is the philosophy of the music department. Basically, music is for everyone, and each student is afforded that musical experience, which is best, suited to his or her individual talents. There are two areas that offer the student an opportunity for artistic expression in music education. The first area includes those musical organizations emphasizing voice. The second area includes the instrumental organizations. (Though many objectives for music education can be met in the classroom, it is, never the less, still true that students who are developing music skills need to display their accomplishments through concerts, parades, festivals, musical stage shows, and other such expressions). (These are a direct outgrowth of the nature of the art which is being studied).
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Course Descriptions
beginning instrumental music
Prerequisite: None
Credits: 1
Grades: 9-12
Length: 1 Year
This course is for any student who wishes to begin an instrument or has taken quite some time off from an instrument and wants to return. The emphasis will be on the reading of music and the fundamentals of the selected instrument. The student may choose from the flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, percussion, violin, viola, cello, or string bass. The student is responsible for providing his/her own instrument. Opportunities to rent will be made available through a local music store.
concert band
Prerequisite: Consent of Director
Credits: 1
Grades: 9-12
Length: 1 Year
This course is performance based and requires fluency on one’s instrument. Members join with the knowledge that they will be performing not only as a concert band, but also as a marching band and pep band. There will be some outside of school time required for performances. This course may also be taken for honors credit if the requirements are met. Those include extra practice time, participation in solo/ensemble contests, and attendance at other concerts in the community. All students enrolled in this course are responsible for providing an instrument and the required supplies or renting one.
orchestra
Prerequisite: Consent of Director
Credits: 1
Grades: 9-12
Length: 1 Year
This course is performance based and requires fluency on one’s instrument. Therefore, there will be some outside of school time required for performance. This course may also be taken for honors credit if the requirements are met. Those include extra practice time, participation in solo/ensemble contests, and attendance at other concerts in the community. All students enrolled in this course are responsible for providing an instrument and the required supplies or renting one.
freshman choir
Prerequisite: None
Credits: 1
Grades: 9
Length: 1 Year
A willingness to sing is the only prerequisite for this course. Students learn the basic elements and techniques of singing; learn sight-reading skills, tour the middle schools in the spring and sing a variety of music that gets the voice accustomed to signing. Solo opportunities are available. No audition is required.
intermediate choir
Prerequisite: Recommendation of Choral Director
Credits: 1
Grades: 10-12
Length: 1 Year
Students will learn basic elements and techniques of signing, reinforce learned techniques, learn sight-reading skills, sing a major and minor scale, and exhibit proper attitude for a choral setting. The choir sings a variety of choral music from standard concert literature and competitive selections. The Intermediate Choir performs at the school and in the community and students in this choir have the option to compete in choral contests. Solo opportunities are available.
concert choir (Honors)
Prerequisite: 1 year of Freshman Choir, Intermediate Choir and/or Solo Audition & Recommendation of Choral Director Credits: 1
Grades: 10-12 Length: 1 Year
Students must be able to sing a major and minor scale, sing a prepared song, pass a sight-reading examination and exhibit proper attitude for a choral setting. The Concert Choir sings a variety of choral music from the standard concert literature, contemporary literature, and competitive selections. The Concert Choir performs extensively in the community, tours college campuses, and competes in local and state competitions. Solo opportunities are available.
a cappella choir (Honors)
Prerequisite: Solo Audition & Recommendation of Choral Director
Credits: 1
Grades: 11-12
Length: 1 Year
Students must be able to sing in close harmony, sight-read choral pieces, sing major and minor scales and be willing to do solo work. Students will sing a variety of music ranging from renaissance music to jazz and pop-rock arrangements, most of which will be sung a cappella (without accompaniment). Solo work is required.
sounds for today
Prerequisite: None
Credits: 1
Grades: 9-12
Length: 1 Year
Students will learn about various types of music, including music theory. Music from all eras of history ranging from renaissance to contemporary, and a diverse array of cultural backgrounds. There will be several class presentations on various subjects and students will receive hands on training in how to operate a stage sound system. Students are also exposed to digital music and sound. The fourth quarter entails students recording their own songs. This is a wonderful opportunity for students interested in studio recording.
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
Prerequisite: None
Credits: 1
Grades: 9-12
Length: 1 Year
Students will develop a great understanding and knowledge of music theory and music history. They will obtain knowledge of playing the percussion instruments through performance of music. This class may be taken in conjunction with Concert Band. Only members chosen by the director will be allowed to be in Concert Band.