High School

Local Credit Courses

Music in Our Lives: This course guides the non-music and/or music student through different musical venues. Throughout the year we explore world music, American Popular Music, basic music theory, learning how to play instruments (guitar or piano), compose small-scale compositions (i.e. commercials or jingles), watch and critique different musical performances, study music throughout the ages from beginning (Ars Nova) through today, and more. Music in Our Lives meets for one school year and upon completion the student will receive one art credit.

Dual College/Local Credit Courses

JCC Introduction to Music: Have you ever wanted to know more about the history of music? From its earliest beginnings before written notation to its current digital dominance this course surveys the history of music from the perspectives of diverse cultures, heritages, and periods. We will take a journey from the Dark Ages to Mozart to the Beatles to Taylor Swift making many detours on the way.

Students will be taught critical listening skills and apply those skills to various kinds of music including, but not limited to classical, world, musical theater, pop, rap, jazz, and more. This one semester class is open to students with varying levels of musical experience. Basic note reading is recommended, but not required. Student must be willing to do JCC level work. Successful completion of this course will earn students three JCC credits. Introduction to Music is offered every other year.

JCC Music Fundamentals: This one semester course offers an introduction to music notation and note reading. Topics covered include reading the treble and bass clefs, learning to compose and write your own chords. We will also discuss the basic harmonic progressions of popular music and let you write your own, “Number One Hit.” Only basic music experience is required. Successful completion of this course will earn students three JCC credits. Student must be willing to do JCC level work. In addition, this class fulfills a prerequisite for AP Music Theory. Music Fundamentals is offered every other year.

AP Music Theory: This full year course is the equivalent of two semesters of collegiate written and aural music theory. Examples of concepts covered are music composition, how to notate a song as you listen to it, the scales and modes of Western Music, and chordal progressions. This course is appropriate for any student wishing to gain a higher understanding of music, but is essential for anyone considering a career in music. Some interesting activities are composing mood music with sound effects for frightening Fall events and writing an original musical piece to be performed by the High School Band, Orchestra, and/or Choir. Successful completion of this course and passing the AP Music Theory Exam will provide students with up to three AP College Credits.

To succeed in this fast paced college level course, a student must be able to read music fluently. Music Fundamentals is a pre-requisite without written approval from Mr. Bennett. It is a district policy that all students enrolled in an AP course must also pay for and take the corresponding AP exam in May. AP Music Theory is offered every other year.