Music - Junior

10-12 STRING ORCHESTRA (577/584)

Grades 10-12: Level 2 and Honors

(Year) 1.00 credits

10-12 String Orchestra is a performing organization for students who have achieved some facility on the violin, viola, cello or double bass. These students typically will have studied a string instrument in elementary and middle school. Some of these students also will have studied privately.

Music of various historical periods and musical styles will be rehearsed and performed. Lighter, popular music also will be included. The concepts of harmony and blend in ensemble playing are emphasized as are the attitudes of appreciation for the genius of great composers and the creativity of new composers. Technical improvement and artistic interpretation are encouraged through home practice.

Course activities include rehearsals, concerts, participation in festivals and preparation for solo auditions. Students will listen to recordings and video of other orchestras and string ensembles.

Teaching methods include rehearsal, sectional drill, mini-lecture, audio and video, printed handouts, engaging class discussions, student presentations and guest conductors. Students must perform scales, arpeggios and rhythm studies each semester. Rehearsals and concerts are required of students and will be assessed as part of the term grade.

10-12 CONCERT CHORALE (579/589)

Grades 10-12: Level 2 and Honors

(Year) 1.00 credits

Concert Chorale is open to students who enjoy singing and want to sing in a large group ensemble. No audition or prior choral experience is necessary. Students must be willing to rehearse after school and evenings on occasion and be available to participate in evening concerts.

The Concert Chorale studies and rehearses music from various historical periods and musical styles. This includes classical, show and popular music. The concepts of tone quality, pitch discrimination, harmony and rhythm are emphasized.

Rehearsals, concerts and competitions are some of the chorale's activities. Teaching methods include direct instruction, rehearsal, sectional drill and listening and analyzing. Students are expected to study and learn the music issued. Students must prepare and perform sight singing and rhythmic examples and proper vocalizing techniques. Quartet parts are assigned to selected students to prepare for festival auditions.

9-12 SELECT TREBLE CHOIR

Grades 9-12: Level 2 and Honors

(Year) 1.00 Credits

Prerequisites:

1. Must also be enrolled in grade appropriate choir

2. Successful completion of one full year of 8-9 Chorus or 10-12 Concert Chorale

3. Teacher recommendation

The Select Treble Choir is open to Chorus students who possess a high level of competency as a vocal musician. Enrollment in the course is based on the recommendation of the teacher and special consideration will be given based on a balanced voicing and level of musical ability. Students should feel comfortable reading music of moderate difficulty and should have the ability to practice and play grade three music.

The Select Treble Choir will prepare a wider and more challenging range of music than can normally be covered in the traditional chorus ensemble due to the nature of the treble music. Concepts emphasized include intonation, harmonic blend, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, technical competence, and improvisation. Attitudes emphasized include positive team effort, respect for student leadership, acceptance of constructive criticism, tolerance for and consideration of other students, a desire for artistic improvement, pride of the organization, and positive self-esteem.

Teaching methods include rehearsal, sectional drill-student and teacher lead, mini-lecture, audio and video, printed handouts, class discussions, additional student concerts and performances, and guest conductors. Rehearsals and concerts are required of students and will be assessed as part of the term grade.

BEGINNING PIANO (637)

Grades 8 -12: Level 2

(Semester) .50 credits

Have you ever wanted to be able to play a piece you've heard off of the radio or even a Bach Minuet in G? Then come to Beginning Piano. Basic fundamentals such as reading music and basic theory will be covered in order to get to a novice level of playing capability. Students will be expected to learn a range of music from classical to pop and also be encouraged to sing with various pieces of music as a part of the curriculum. Ability to read music is a plus, but not required to take the class.

AP MUSIC THEORY (596)

Grades 11-12: Advanced Placement

(Year) 1.50 credits

Prerequisite:

1. Recommendation of Band, Chorus or orchestra teacher.

2. A grade of B or better in Intro to Music Theory

AP Music Theory is for students who express an interest in furthering their studies in music beyond the performance ensemble/personal performing venues. AP Music Theory will consist of vigorous studies in sight singing, melodic and harmonic dictation, and functional harmony. We will use the Solfege theory of sight-singing and tonal harmony. The class will utilize piano keyboards for lab studies as well as auditory and visual aids. Students utilize the keyboards for a variety of exercises, including developing the skills necessary to play some homework assignments, harmonic progressions, and melodies. Access to a piano/keyboard outside of school is strongly recommended.

Those students who choose to pursue this course are expected to take the Music Theory AP Exam in May.

BEGINNING GUITAR (574)

Grades 8-12: Level 2

(Semester) .50 credits

Have you always wanted to learn how to play guitar? You’ll be playing your favorite songs in no time with this course! Beginning Guitar is designed for the beginner as well as the intermediate player and will explore the basic fundamentals of how to play guitar. Students will learn guitar skills such as basic chords, strumming rhythms, finger-picking, and power chords. Students will learn these guitar concepts by playing songs in the styles of blues, rock, heavy metal, folk, and classical. Students will also explore the history of the guitar, different types of guitars, their social importance, and some basic music theory including composition and songwriting. With practice, students will eventually be able to play many familiar songs of their choice.

This course is open to all students regardless of musical background. No previous knowledge of guitar is necessary. Guitars will be provided for each student.

INTERMEDIATE GUITAR (567)

Grades 8-12: Level 2

(Semester) .50 credits

Prerequisite:

1. A grade of B or better in Beginning Guitar:

2. Teacher recommendation

Advanced Guitar is designed for the intermediate to advanced guitarist. Students will explore the basic fundamentals of how to play guitar as well as learn advanced guitar skills such as open chords, bar-chords, strumming rhythms, finger-picking, tablature and note-reading. Students will learn these guitar concepts by learning songs in the styles of blues, rock, heavy metal, folk, and classical. . Students will also be expected to perform on their own and with others. While singing is not required, it is encouraged.

This course is open to any student who completed Beginning Guitar with a grade of B or better; and receives a recommendation from instructor.. Guitars will be provided for each student.

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY (564)

Grades 8-12: Level 2

(Semester) .50

Students interested in exploring the technical side of music including, but not limited to: recording practices, mixing and sampling, synthetic creation and composition, editing, and production would benefit from this course. Music technology is an ever evolving field and develops itself further every day. Students will learn how to create their own music using a Digital Audio Workstation. Basic music theory knowledge is helpful, but not required.

ROCK AND POP MUSIC – FROM THE BLUES TO WOODSTOCK (566/571)

Grades 8-12: Level 2

(Semester) .50

Just exactly how did Rock and Pop music begin? Come discover the wonder that is this popular genre of music. Students will explore the development of rock and pop music from its beginnings in the blues, to the end of the 1960’s with the Woodstock Festival. Students will learn about different musicians and how they developed styles such as Rhythm and Blues, Mo-Town, Rock and Roll, The British Invasion, Surfer Music, Psychedelic Rock, and Pop Rock. Students will also examine social, political, cultural and economic issues and how they relate to the history of rock and pop music.

EXPLORATORY THEATER (602)

Grades 8-12: Level 2

(Semester) .50 credits

This course is designed to introduce students with little or no experience to the world of theater! Throughout the course we will study the basic components of theater such as the genres and purposes of productions, collaborative efforts and responsibilities of theater personnel, improv, acting, and technical theater. We will deepen our understanding of theatre using dramatic exercises and games, watching and responding to pieces of theatre (including a formal play review), journaling, and in class performances. These in class performances may be formal or informal, or through improvisational exercises, and require full participation from students. majority of your grade is based on your daily participation in the course.

DY ENSEMBLE THEATER (633)

Grades 9-12: Level 2

(Year) 1.0 credits

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Exploratory Theater, and willingness to perform after-school and in off-campus locations.

This full-year course is designed for serious students of theater arts who wish to make and perform one-act plays, including an entry in the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild Theater Competition in March. Through this, students will experience all aspects of the play production process from play selection and auditions, the rehearsal process, production.

This course is also designed to deepen students’ understanding of Theatre through studying the history of theatre, technical theatre and play production, storytelling, playwriting, and modern American drama. Throughout the course we will also explore classics such as Greek theatre, Commedia Dell'arte, and Shakespeare. We will deepen our understanding of theatre using dramatic exercises and games, watching and responding to pieces of theatre, including a formal play review, journaling, and in class performances. These in class performances may be formal or informal, or through improvisational exercises and require full participation from students.

MOVEMENT FOR THE STAGE

Grades: 8-12

(Semester) .50 credits

Movement for the stage is designed to introduce students to a variety of techniques the enhance theatrical performances. Units covered include dance for musical theater, Laban Movement Analysis, mime, stage combat, Droznin physical actor training and more! Students will get in touch with their kinesthetic abilities, learn famous choreography, and create original dance and movement pieces. Students are expected to come to class in clothing appropriate for movement. Grading is based on daily participation and formal in class performances.