Classroom Courses

In addition to our ensemble offerings, classroom music courses at the Middle School and High School offer students of all skill levels the opportunity to explore the worlds of music composition, technology, theory, history, listening and analysis, as well as performance within a classroom-based setting.

Classroom Courses at ARHS

In Music Production I, students will use the hardware and software in the Music Technology Lab to create original musical work spanning a variety of styles and genres. Through a series of listening exercises and composition projects, students will explore the unique musical characteristics of each genre and develop skills to compose their own melodies, beats, and chord progressions. Students will gain a basic proficiency on the MIDI keyboard and integrate basic music theory concepts into their work. They will also develop skills in recording, mixing, editing, and publishing music. No prior musical experience is required.

Chords, scales, intervals, composing for one or two voices, ear training, elementary counterpoint and sight singing are the principal content of Music Theory), which builds from simple structures through increasingly complex techniques, including composition of original works on digital keyboards and music composition software.

Classroom Courses at ARMS

In Intro to Music, students explore the elements of music and will be introduced to the history, performance, composition, and analysis of music in a variety of genres, with a diverse array of geographical origins. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to a number of traditional and contemporary instruments, including Keyboard, Guitar, Percussion, as well as the use of digital sampling technology for beat-making and composition. In Introduction to Music, we place a significant emphasis on exploring and understanding each student’s personal connection to music, as well as the impact that music has on society and culture at large.

In Intro to Songwriting, students will begin the class discussing how music is put together. They will explore the ideas of Rhythm, Harmony, and Melody. After a study of simple writing, the students will venture into actual melodic writing, rhythmic emphasis and structure, and harmonic importance. Students will work with both paper and pencil and a program called Noteflight.

Intro to World Percussion exposes students to rhythms from music around the world. Focus will be given to the culture that each style of rhythm comes from and how they are played. Students will experience hands on work using a variety of world percussion instruments. Open to 7th graders.

Intro to Steel Drums (MS, 8th)

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