Music

Course Descriptions

INSTRUMENTAL

HM1121, HM1122 CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0Prerequisite: Audition

Chamber Orchestra studies advanced level classical music through instrumental performance. Standard instrumentation is utilized, including violin, viola, cello, string bass. (Piano/harp may be included on a case-by-case basis.) Woodwind, brass, and percussion students are added at various times of the year. Students are instructed and assessed in many areas of musicianship, including: tone, technique, rhythm, and basic music theory.

HM0121, HM0122 CONCERT BAND

Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0Prerequisite: Participation in middle school band or consent of the instructor.Other Info: Marching Band is a required component of this course.

Concert Band investigates musicianship through instrumental performance. Students are instructed in the following area: tone production, technique, rhythm, and music theory. These concepts are essential in the ongoing study of introductory high school band literature.

HM1021, HM1022 CONCERT ORCHESTRA

Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0Prerequisite: Participation in middle school orchestra or consent of the instructor.

Concert Orchestra studies introductory high school level classical music through instrumental performance. Standard instrumentation is utilized, including violin, viola, cello, string bass. (Piano/harp may be included on a case-by-case basis.) Woodwind, brass, and percussion students may be added at various times of the year. Students are instructed and assessed in many areas of musicianship, including: tone, technique, rhythm, and basic music theory.

HM0321, HM0322 JAZZ BAND

Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in a core choir, band, or orchestra course

Jazz Band is designed for the instrumental student interested in investigating the jazz genre. Students will acquire the knowledge necessary for the study and performance of introductory jazz literature. Students are instructed and assessed in many areas of musicianship, including: improvisation, critical listening, and the many styles of jazz, America’s musical art form.

HM0621, HM0622 JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0Prerequisite: Audition and concurrent enrollment in a core choir, band, or orchestra course

Jazz Ensemble is designed for the instrumental student interested in investigating the jazz genre. Students will acquire the knowledge necessary for the study and performance of intermediate jazz literature. Students are instructed and assessed in many areas of musicianship, including: improvisation, critical listening, and the many styles of jazz, America’s musical art form.

HM0721, HM0722 JAZZ LAB

Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0Prerequisite: Audition and concurrent enrollment in a core choir, band, or orchestra course

Jazz Lab is designed for the instrumental student interested in investigating the jazz genre. Students will acquire the knowledge necessary for the study and performance of advanced jazz literature. Students are instructed and assessed in many areas of musicianship, including:improvisation, critical listening, and the many styles of jazz, America’s musical art form.

HM0421, HM0422 JAZZ WORKSHOP

Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0Prerequisite: Audition and concurrent enrollment in a core instrumental class

Jazz Workshop is designed for the student interested in investigating the instrumental jazz genre. Students will acquire the knowledge necessary for the study and performance of advanced jazz literature of the highest quality. This course covers advanced improvisation, critical listening, and the pursuit of the many styles within the jazz genre.

HM1131, HM1132 PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0 Prerequisite: Audition

Philharmonic Orchestra studies intermediate to advanced level classical music through instrumental performance. Standard instrumentation is utilized, including violin, viola, cello, string bass. (Piano/harp may be included on a case-by-case basis.) Woodwind, brass, and percussion students may be added at various times of the year. Students are instructed and assessed in many areas of musicianship, including: tone, technique, rhythm, and music theory.

HM0221, HM0222 SYMPHONIC BAND

Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0 Prerequisite: Concert Band or consent of the instructorOther Info: Marching Band is a required component of this course.

Symphonic Band investigates musicianship through instrumental performance. Students are instructed in the following areas: tone production, technique, rhythm, and music theory. These concepts are essential in the ongoing study of intermediate high school band literature.

HM1221, HM1222 SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA

Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0 Prerequisite: Concert Orchestra or consent of instructor

Symphonic Orchestra studies intermediate level classical music through instrumental performance. Standard instrumentation is utilized, including violin, viola, cello, string bass. (Piano/harp may be included on a case-by-case basis.) Woodwind, brass, and percussion students may be added at various times of the year. Students are instructed and assessed in many areas of musicianship, including: tone, technique, rhythm, and music theory.

HM0821, HM0822 VARSITY BAND

Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0 Prerequisite: AuditionOther Info: Marching Band is a required component of this course.

Varsity Band investigates musicianship through instrumental performance. Students are instructed in the following areas: tone production, technique, rhythm, and music theory. These concepts are essential in the ongoing study of medium-advanced high school band literature.

HM0521, HM0522 WIND ENSEMBLE

Length/Credit:1 year / 1.0Prerequisite: AuditionOther Info: Marching Band is a required component of this course.

Wind Ensemble investigates musicianship through instrumental performance. Students are instructed in the following areas: tone production, technique, rhythm, and music theory. These concepts are essential in the ongoing study of advanced high school and collegiate band literature.

HM0921, HM0922 WIND SYMPHONY

Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0Prerequisite: AuditionOther Info: Marching Band is a required component of this course

Wind Symphony investigates musicianship through instrumental performance. Students are instructed in the following areas: tone production, technique, rhythm, and music theory. These concepts are essential in the ongoing study of advanced high school band literature.

VOCAL

HM2421, HM2422 BEL CANTO

Grade(s): Open to higher voiced students Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0Prerequisite: Audition

This course investigates the realization of advanced choral music through vocal performance. Standard treble ensemble voicing is utilized: soprano and alto. Students are instructed and assessed in many areas of musicianship, including: sight-singing, tone production, intonation, rhythm, blending, musicality, and music theory. Bel Canto studies a variety of advanced choral music styles.

HM2921, HM2922 CANTUS

Grade(s): Open to lower voiced studentsLength/Credit: 1 year / 1.0Prerequisite: None

This course investigates the realization of introductory/intermediate choral music through vocal performance. Standard tenor/bass ensemble voicing is utilized. Students are instructed and assessed in many areas of musicianship, including: sight-singing, tone production, intonation, rhythm, blending, musicality, and music theory. Cantus studies a variety of choral music styles.

HM2121, HM2122 CECILIAN CHOIR

Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0

This course investigates the realization of introductory/intermediate choral music through vocal performance. Standard soprano/alto ensemble voicing is utilized. Students are instructed and assessed in many areas of musicianship, including: sight-singing, tone production, intonation, rhythm, blending, musicality, and music theory. Cecilian Choir studies a variety of choral music styles.

HM2221, HM2222 CHORALE

Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0Prerequisite: Audition

This course investigates the realization of advanced choral music through vocal performance. Standard mixed ensemble voicing is utilized: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. Students are instructed and assessed in many areas of musicianship, including: sight-singing, tone production, intonation, rhythm, blending, musicality, and music theory. Chorale studies a variety of advanced choral music styles.

HM2031, HM2032 CONCERT CHOIR

Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0Prerequisite: Cecilian Choir or Cantus or consent of the instructor

This course investigates the realization of intermediate choral music through vocal performance. Appropriate ensemble voicing is utilized. Students are instructed and assessed in many areas of musicianship, including: sight-singing, tone production, intonation, rhythm, blending, musicality, and music theory. Concert Choir studies a variety of intermediate music styles.

HM2521, HM2522 VOCAL JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12 Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in a core choir, band, or orchestra course.

Vocal Jazz Ensemble is designed for the vocal student interested in investigating the vocal jazz genre. Students will acquire the knowledge necessary for the study and performance of introductory jazz literature. Students are instructed and assessed in many areas of musicianship, including: improvisation, critical listening, and the many styles of jazz, America’s musical art form.

HM2721, HM2722 VOCAL JAZZ LAB

Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0Prerequisite: Audition and concurrent enrollment in a core choir, band, or orchestra class.

Vocal Jazz Lab is designed for the vocal student interested in investigating the vocal jazz genre. Students will acquire the knowledge necessary for the study and performance of introductory to advanced jazz literature. Students are instructed and assessed in many areas of musicianship, including: improvisation, critical listening, and the many styles of jazz, America’s musical art form.

HM2821, HM2822 VOCAL JAZZ WORKSHOP

Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0Prerequisite: Audition and concurrent enrollment in a core choir, band, or orchestra class.

Vocal Jazz Workshop is designed for the vocal student interested in investigating the vocal jazz genre. Students will acquire the knowledge necessary for the study and performance of collegiate and professional jazz literature. Students are instructed and assessed in many areas of musicianship, including: improvisation, critical listening, and the many styles of jazz, America’s musical art form.

INSTRUMENTAL OR VOCAL

HM3051, HM3052 AP MUSIC THEORY

Length/Credit: 1 year / 1.0 Other Info: AP exam is required

Music Theory investigates the what, how, and why of Western Tonal Music. Students are instructed in the following areas: sight-singing, aural recognition, visual analysis and composition. This study not only reinforces performance skills, but also develops students’ abilities as composers, theoreticians and critics. College Board recommends enrollment in Grades 10, 11, or 12.