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PERFORMING ARTS
The ASM music department believes that music is a fundamental part of the human experience and an essential part of a holistic education. Students who enroll in music courses can expect to learn not only the fundamentals of music theory, history, and performance practice, but how these elements are combined to create aesthetic experiences that cannot be duplicated in any other class. Students will also participate in regular active music-making experiences during which critical thinking and creativity are explored and developed. The ASM Music Department has designed a curriculum that focuses not only music fundamentals, but the importance of music in one’s life. We believe that connection is key and that expression through music is essential to life.
UPPER SCHOOL CHOIR
The Upper School Choir is designed to give students the tools they need to become knowledgeable and well-rounded musicians. Music of various time periods, styles, genres, and ethnicities will be performed, analyzed, and evaluated throughout the course of the year. Students will have the opportunity to create their own arrangements and compositions based on music fundamentals taught in choir. Students are encouraged to become more independent musicians using their knowledge to make musical decisions on their own. Students will perform selected works at various concerts at ASM and in the greater Madrid community. Participation in international festivals is encouraged.
Credits: 1
Length: 1 year
Text: Sheet music and method books, use of MusicFirst online platform
Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisites: None
WIND ENSEMBLE
The Upper School Wind Ensemble is a performance-based class in which students work to become musically literate, comprehensive musicians. Students perform and evaluate music from different time periods, of varying styles and genres. Rehearsals are regularly recorded and evaluated. Students also complete homework assignments using Flipgrid and other software. The Wind Ensemble works throughout the year to perform selected concerts at various venues including the ASM community and for the greater Madrid community. Other possible performances might include a trip to a music festival in or outside of Spain. Students are encouraged to participate in international music festivals.
Credits: 1
Length: 1 year
Text: Sheet music, method books, Flipgrid
Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisites: At least one year of formal instrumental music instruction
ORCHESTRA
The Upper School Orchestra is designed to give students the tools they need to become well-rounded, competent musicians. Students perform and evaluate music from different time periods, styles, genres, and ethnicities. Rehearsals are regularly recorded and evaluated by students. Students also complete homework assignments and quizzes using SmartMusic and other music software. Students are encouraged to create their own arrangements and compositions based on the fundamentals taught in class. The curriculum of the Upper School Orchestra focuses on performance repertoire as well as string technique, music theory, and music history. Selected works will be performed for school concerts as well as festivals in other countries. Participation in international music festivals is encouraged.
Credits: 1
Length: 1 year
Text: Sheet music, method books, compositional software, online research tools
Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisites: At least one year of formal instrumental music instruction on a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass) and director approval.
JAZZ ENSEMBLE
The Upper School Jazz Ensemble is comprised of traditional big band instrumentation: saxophones, trumpets, trombones, guitar, piano, bass and drum set. Students will study jazz, rock, Latin, swing and blues charts as well as will learn basic improvisation. Rehearsals are regularly recorded and evaluated. In addition to practicing at home, some homework assignments will need to be completed using Flipgrid. Students will perform several concerts throughout the year for the ASM community and for the greater Madrid community. Other possible performances might include a trip to a music festival in or outside of Spain.
Credits: 1
Length:1 year
Text: Sheet music, method books and Flipgrid
Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisites: At least one year of formal instrumental music instruction and director approval.
IB MUSIC SL and HL (Grades 11 and 12) blended
International Baccalaureate Music is for students with a strong interest in music. Students will be empowered to recognize how technical training and creative competencies combine to inform practical work and contribute to the formation of a well-rounded modern musician. With this in mind, the study of music embodied by three roles: the researcher, the creator, and the performer. In these roles, students inquire, create, perform and reflect on the course’s three musical processes: Exploring music in context, Experimenting with music, Presenting music. Students are encouraged to personalize their musical studies through the exploration of diverse musical material through four Areas of Inquiry (AOLs). Additionally, the engagement of the AOLS takes place across three contexts:
Personal context -music that has significance to the student.
Local context -music that has local significance but may be unfamiliar to the student.
Global context - unfamiliar music from a variety of places, societies, and cultures.
Assessment of student achievement will be based on exploring music in context, experimenting with music, and presenting music. HL students have an additional component called the contemporary music-maker, which is a multimedia presentation documenting their real-life project.
Credits: 2
Length of course: 2 years
Text: The Enjoyment of Music, Basics of Music: opus one and World Sound Matters
Prerequisites: Teacher approval
IB MUSIC SL and HL (Grade 11) year 1 only
International Baccalaureate Music is for students with a strong interest in music. Students will be empowered to recognize how technical training and creative competencies combine to inform practical work and contribute to the formation of a well-rounded modern musician. With this in mind, the study of music embodied by three roles: the researcher, the creator, and the performer. In these roles, students inquire, create, perform and reflect on the course’s three musical processes: Exploring music in context, Experimenting with music, Presenting music. Students are encouraged to personalize their musical studies through the exploration of diverse musical material through four Areas of Inquiry (AOIs). Additionally, the engagement of the AOIs takes place across three contexts:
Personal context -music that has significance to the student.
Local context -music that has local significance but may be unfamiliar to the student.
Global context - unfamiliar music from a variety of places, societies, and cultures.
Year 1 students will learn more about composition, music history and music theory as it relates to analysis and performance practice. Coursework will be focused on skill development and opportunities to create and explore diverse types of music.
Credits: 1
Length of course: 1 year
Text: The Enjoyment of Music, Basics of Music: opus one and World Sound Matters
Prerequisites: Teacher approval
IB MUSIC SL and HL (Grade 12) year 2 only
Year 2 IB Music students will build off of skills and concepts learned in the 1st year course. Students will complete their required Internal and External assessments based on the course’s three musical processes: Exploring music in context, Experimenting with music, Presenting music. HL students have an additional component called the contemporary music-maker, which is a multimedia presentation documenting their real-life project.
Credits: 1
Length of course: 1 year
Text: The Enjoyment of Music, Basics of Music: opus one and World Sound Matters
Prerequisites: Teacher approval
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