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McNally Music Open House 2022.m4vMcNally's music program encourages students to grow as musicians whether they choose to take Instrumental Music 10/20/30, Choral 10/20/30 or Contemporary Music 10/20/30, or choose to also participate in co-curricular courses like Jazz Band and Symphonic Band. There are also many opportunities to be involved beyond the school in Honour Bands and Choirs within Edmonton Public at the University of Alberta, MacEwan University, the Alberta Band Association or Choir Alberta.
The Instrumental Music and Choral Music 10/20/30 curriculums enable students to develop their musical skills as a performer, listener, evaluator, consumer, historian and composer while performing a repertoire of quality wind ensemble or choral literature.
The Jazz Band and Symphonic Band provide an opportunity for students to delve deeper into different styles of music and more challenging repertoire. The Contemporary Music Program is geared to those students who want to focus on contemporary styles (Rock, Pop, Folk, Country, etc) and instruments such as piano, bass, guitar, ukulele, drum set, and contemporary vocals.
At McNally the music room is always full of students practicing together, forming small ensembles, singing, hanging out in their safe place, doing Karaoke, writing their own music or getting ready for a talent show, Fine Arts Showcase, coffee house, concert, band camp or band trip.
Many music students are also involved in a variety of other Fine Arts courses like Dance, Drama and Art. We work together to make sure that students can have the opportunity to become well rounded artists.
Full Course Descriptions:
Audio Production 15 (Audio 15) - 5 credits - NEW!!!
Audio 15 introduces students to the world of live sound, digital audio, and multi-track recording. Students will learn the fundamentals of sound engineering and audio production for music, podcasts, video/tv production, live events, and other sound applications through the use of analog and digital mixers, digital audio workstations (DAW) and microphone techniques. No previous experience is necessary, but some music education is beneficial: this could include lessons or experience on piano, bass, guitar, drums, vocals or wind and string instruments.
Contemporary Music (General Music 10/20/30) - 5 credits
The Contemporary Music Program is a performance and creative based course focusing on contemporary styles of music: Pop, Rock, Country, Folk, Rap, Hip Hop, Dance, Electronic, and more, based on student interest. The Contemporary Music Program provides students with the opportunity to learn the following instruments: piano/keyboards, guitar, ukulele, electric bass, vocals, and drum set/percussion. Some instruments are provided by the school on a limited basis, but it is recommended that students interested in bass, guitar and ukulele provide their own instruments. As students develop their skills on their chosen instrument, they will form various bands and performance groupings to showcase their work. In addition, students will explore song-writing and composition, both individually and in collaborative groups, and recording in live and a multi-tracked studio environment.
Instrumental Music 10/20/30 (Regular band class) - 5 credits
These courses are designed to continue the training on wind and concert percussion instruments students have received in the prerequisite courses: Instrumental Music 9, Instrumental Music 10, and Instrumental Music 20. Previous experience is required in order for students to be successful in these courses. Those students who have limited or no experience in band previously can speak to the music director to see how they can gain the necessary skills before joining Instrumental Music 10.
Our Instrumental Music classes provide the opportunity to learn the following instruments:
Woodwinds: Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto/Tenor/Baritone Saxophones
Brass: Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
Concert Percussion: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Xylophone, Cymbals, Auxiliary percussion (very limited use of drum set)
Strings (by request - see the music director. Those with at least three years of study should have no problem playing with the bands): violin, viola, cello, acoustic bass
Unfortunately, we are unable to register students in the regular band class streams on instruments that are not listed above.
Symphonic Band (Band 15/25/35) - 5 credits
Symphonic Band is a co-curricular performance ensemble that runs outside of the regular day (ORD). It meets twice a week, on Mondays from 3:15-5:15pm and Wednesday mornings from 7:45-8:45am, and is focused on large and small group performance through additional and challenging repertoire. Students must be registered in Instrumental Music 10/20/30 to participate in this ensemble unless there are extenuating circumstances in their class schedule (this will be determined on a case by case basis, and for those students who are not taking band in the schedule, there will be additional assignments and individual work in order to earn credits for Instrumental Music 10 instead).
Jazz Band (Instrumental Jazz 15/25/35) - 5 credits
Jazz Band is a co-curricular performance ensemble that runs outside of the regular day (ORD). It meets twice a week on Wednesdays after school from 3:15-5:00pm and on Tuesday and Thursday at lunch from 11:45am-12:20pm (rotating sectionals). This group is focused on learning the contemporary jazz, latin, and rock styles. Students must also be registered in one of Instrumental Music 10/20/30 to participate in this ensemble.
Jazz Band can accommodate a limited number of students on the following instruments (in addition to saxophone, trumpet, and trombone - other wind instruments by request, though many students learn to double):
Piano
Guitar
Electric and Acoustic Bass
Drum set and additional percussion (congas, bongos, vibraphone, etc)
Choral Music 10/20/30 (Choir) - 5 credits
This class focuses on individual singing techniques and group singing performance as well as basic music theory. The choir is a performing ensemble that will explore a variety of styles from classical to contemporary pop and show tunes. There are no prerequisites or previous experience required for this class at the 10 level. Singers of all voice types and experience are welcome! This class meets twice per week outside of the regular day (ORD): on Wednesdays at lunch from 11:45am-12:20pm and on Fridays after school from 3:15-5:00pm.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Concerts, Honour ensembles, talent shows, coffee houses, music retreat, music tour, jazz combo, vocal jazz ensemble, student led music groups, recording and more!
McNally Music Website Video.m4vMcNally Jazz Combo
Top 10 Reasons to Continue Music in High School
University - recent studies show high school music students score higher on Science, Math and English exams. A bonus when you need a competitive average.
Scholarships - Music 30 counts as an academic course and can be used as one of 5 courses to calculate admission and scholarship averages.
Left/Right Brain - Playing music is one of the few things that uses both sides of the brain at the same time.
Stress Relief - Making music relieves stress and provides a balance with academic subjects.
21st Century Skills - Collaboration, persistence, self-discipline, critical thinking, teamwork, concentration others are transferable skills that will take you far in life.
Passion - Music is something you can do for a lifetime. It gives you a creative outlet and allows artistic expression. You'll never be too old to enjoy music.
Fun- Playing music with friends is fun! Music events like concerts, trips and camps make the high school experience memorable
Friends - Making music together develops a community where people look out for each other.
Safe Place - the music room is a safe place, a team where everyone wins and no one is ever on the bench.
Opportunities - Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Honour Ensembles for EPSB, the U of A, MacEwan University, the Alberta Band Association and Choir Alberta are all ways you can further your experiences and plot your pathway. McNally grads are active professional musicians in Canada and abroad.
If you have any further questions about the McNally Music program please contact peter.sicotte@epsb.ca
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