HS Music Electives
Fall 2021
Music Theory
This course covers the fundamentals of music literacy, ear training and harmony. The elements common to all music will be studied through work that includes listening to, reading, writing, analyzing, and performing music. Musical examples are taken from many styles including classical, jazz, rock and pop. Music Theory is open to all students who have some musical experience (instrumental or vocal) and who would like to understand ―how music works‖. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Demonstrate a working knowledge of music literacy skills
Demonstrate a working knowledge of basic traditional western music theory
Apply theoretical knowledge to the understanding of music composed by others and by themselves
Guitar I
Foundational Playing Skills
This class is a skills-based (as opposed to a styles-based) course in guitar playing. The course will provide a solid technical and musical foundation from which students can further explore various musical and guitar-playing styles. The class will focus on basic knowledge of the instrument, left hand technique, right hand flat-picking and finger-picking techniques, music literacy skills, melodic playing, chord knowledge, and accompaniment skills through solo and ensemble playing. Students successfully completing the course will acquire foundational skills that will prepare them for a lifetime of musical performance and exploration. The course is geared towards students who have either a rudimentary knowledge of the instrument (such as that gained in middle school music classes) or no prior guitar knowledge. Please note: this class is not a jam session for experienced guitarists.Upon successful completion of this course, students will demonstrate the following class competencies:
Demonstrating through performance a working knowledge of music literacy skills
Demonstrating through performance proper left-hand guitar playing technique
Demonstrating through performance various right-hand flat-picking and finger-picking techniques
Applying technical knowledge to the performance of solo and ensemble pieces
Evaluating their own performance as well as that of others
Spring 2022
Guitar I (see above description)
Guitar II
Guitar II is a skills-based course in guitar playing. The goal of the course is to extend the technical and musical foundation obtained in ―Guitar I‖. The course will broaden the base from which a student can further his/her exploration of various musical and guitar-playing styles. As with ―Guitar I‖, ―Guitar II‖ will focus on left and right hand techniques, music literacy skills, chord knowledge, and accompaniment skills, all of which will be accomplished through solo and ensemble playing. The course is designed to accommodate students who have successfully completed ―Guitar I‖. Students completing the course will extend their skills set, providing the basis for a lifetime of musical learning and performance. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Demonstrate through performances a working knowledge of music literacy in both standard notation and guitar tablature
Demonstrate knowledge of the guitar fretboard in fifth and higher positions
Demonstrate through performance a working knowledge of barre chords/movable chord forms
Demonstrate a working knowledge of basic scales
Apply technical knowledge to the performance of solo and ensemble pieces, as well as accompaniments with complex strumming and finger picking patterns
Demonstrate the ability to improvise
Not currently running
American Musical Theatre
Do you love West Side Story, Rent, Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady and other musicals? Have you ever wondered what goes into the creation of a musical and why some shows are better than others? If so, this course is for you. Musical theater is an important genre in American pop culture. This course examines the collaborative nature of music, drama, dance and the visual arts in the creation of a musical. Students will learn how shows are created and study the development of the art form in a historical context from its European roots to the present day. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
Understand the collaborative nature of music, drama, dance and the visual arts in musical theater
Understand the history of American musical theater in relation to American history and culture
Demonstrate an understanding of pivotal shows in the development of musical theater