Course Offerings
(alphabetical listing from HHS Program of Studies -- see course expectations under individual tabs at top of page)
Band
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 1- Full Year
Prerequisite: None
The concert band is organized as an advanced musical experience for all interested students who have gained a degree of musical and technical facility with any instrument usually associated with the concert band. The band plays a wide range of literature with a gradation of difficulty from medium to medium-advanced. Band members perform in three concerts per year, and are encouraged to audition for statewide and regional music festivals and participate in Muster Day ceremonies. Members of the jazz band and wind ensemble are required to participate in the concert band. Students must be registered for concert band in order to audition for All-State and New Englands.
Chorus
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 1- Full Year
Prerequisite: Basic skills equivalent to Essentials of Vocal Music
The chorus offers students the opportunity to explore vocal music through participation in a large ensemble. It is open to students who demonstrate a sufficient degree of vocal/musical facility and ensemble awareness to perform a wide variety of literature and musical styles ranging in difficulty from medium to medium-advanced. While the focus is on choral performance, skills in music reading, listening and interpretation will also be addressed. There are three major concerts a year as well as a performance at DHMC. Students also are encouraged to develop skills in associated areas such as musical theater, All-state festivals and small ensemble or solo work. Chorus is required for membership in Footnotes. Students must be registered for Chorus/credit in order to perform in concerts and to audition for All-State.
Footnotes
Grades: 10-12
Credit: 1/4 - Full Year
Prerequisite: Audition
Footnotes is an advanced-level chamber vocal ensemble chosen yearly by audition. Members must also be in Chorus. The group sometimes performs with choreography. Footnotes performs in the three annual chorus concerts as well as for some special events and tours. Because of the challenging level of the music, singers may be expected to attend extra rehearsals in addition to the weekly meeting and spend some individual study time on their music.
Jazz Band
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 1/4 - Full Year
Prerequisite: Audition and/or permission of Instructor
Jazz Band is organized as an advanced musical experience using the standard Big Band instrumentation of 2 alto sax, 2 tenor sax, 1 bari sax, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones and rhythm section of guitar, bass drums and piano. Other instruments may be added or substituted at the Director’s discretion. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor and may require an audition. This group meets at 2 pm on Wednesday and may have additional rehearsals first period. There may be additional rehearsals outside of the school day. All players must be enrolled in concert band.
Music Independent Study
Grades: 9-12
CR: 1/2 - Semester
Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor. A plan of study/contract must be approved ahead of time.
The purpose of independent study is to give a student an opportunity to study music in an area which is of interest to the individual student and which is not offered through the regular class format. The student can choose from several options:
1. Essentials of Vocal Music provides students the opportunity to individually develop the basic vocal, musical and ensemble awareness skills needed to participate successfully in a larger ensemble. Areas of study include pitch accuracy, range/tone development, rhythmic accuracy, basic musical notation, following a musical score, dynamic variation and expression, responding to conducting cues, breathing techniques and posture/deportment, and diction.
2. Music Recording Techniques (Studio One) in which a student uses digital and MIDI recording techniques on synthesizers and computers to create, record, and mix down both assigned and student chosen projects.
3. The History of Classical Music This course will provide students with the opportunity to study the history of Western European and American classical music from the middle ages to the present. The goal of the course will be to help students establish an understanding of the major events in the history of the development of classical music and introduce students to the major classical composers (such as Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, and Stravinsky) and their works. This knowledge will be used as a framework to examine the role of music in the heritage of our culture and to create an awareness of the links between music, the other arts, and the general social progression of our society. There will be no prerequisite. The ability to read or perform music is not necessary for the successful completion of this course.
4. The History of Jazz which provides the opportunity for the student to study the history of jazz from 1900 to the present.
5. Student Designed Study which gives the student the chance to explore a topic in music which is not covered in the above options.
Note: An independent study contract must be filled out and signed before the beginning of the semester.
All music independent study options require a weekly meeting with the instructor, a minimum of three hours of independent work each week, a journal or log, and a portfolio which chronicles the student’s progress.
Music Theory
Grades 9-12
CR: 1- Full Year
Prerequisite: None
Music Theory is an introduction to the fundamentals of music reading, analysis, composition, and interpretation. Some previous musical knowledge is helpful but not required. Topics for Semester One include pitch/rhythm notation, sight reading/dictation, basic keyboard skills, basic scale/chord theory, and some composition/song writing.
Semester Two will expand on first semester topics to include: modes other than major/minor, more complex chord progressions, part-writing, arranging, transposition, form analysis, advanced pitch/rhythm keyboard skills, and composition.
Orchestra
Grades 9-12
CR: 1 – Full Year (Orchestra Strings) ¼ - Full Year (Non-strings)
Prerequisite: None
Orchestra provides a large group experience for string players and selected woodwind, brass and percussion players who have gained a degree of musical and technical facility with their chosen instrument. The music performed is chosen from the standard repertoire and includes works from all periods. The Symphony Orchestra meets once a week. The String Orchestra rehearses three times a week. The Orchestra performs three major concerts per year. Members are encouraged to participate in chamber ensembles and all-state festivals. Wind players must be enrolled in concert band in order to participate in full orchestra. Students must be registered for orchestra in order to audition for All-State and New Englands.