Music Courses

Full Year – 1.00 Credit

7150 -  Level 1

7350 – Level 2

Offered for grades 9, 10, 11 and 12

Prerequisite: Prior Orchestral Experience

The String Orchestra course is a performing ensemble open to any high school students who play an orchestral string instrument: violin, viola, cello, or double bass.  Appropriate string orchestra literature is studied.  Emphasis is placed upon skill development as well as interpretation and ensemble skills.  Students will study a variety of musical styles appropriate to the genre.  The String Orchestra will perform at school concerts as well as community events.  This course may be taken for Level 1 credit by audition and completion of additional requirements through independent study. 

Full Year – 1.00 Credit 

7160 - Level 1

7360 - Level 2

Offered for Grades 10, 11 and 12

Prerequisite: Audition

The Chamber String Ensemble is open by audition to high school students entering grades 10 through 12.  Students who play violin, viola, cello, or string bass may audition for the course in January of the preceding school year.  Students will study and perform challenging level five and six literature for small chamber string ensemble as well as string trios and quartets.  Students will participate in an in-depth study of literature for interpretation, musicality, style, and aesthetic quality. Students will study appropriate composers in relation to the era, society, and culture in which they created their works.  Students will perform at school concerts and various community events.  Class size may be limited to twenty-four students for balanced instrumentation.  This course may be taken for Level 1 credit through a separate audition process and completion of additional requirements through independent study. 

Full Year – 1.00 Credit

7130 - Level 1

7330 - Level 2

Offered for grades 9, 10, 11 and 12

This is a performing choral ensemble open to any high school student without audition.  Students will perform choral repertoire in a wide variety of musical styles.  Major emphasis is on developing vocal skills and music literacy.  The Chorus performs at school concerts as a vocal ensemble as well as in combination with the Concert Choir and Treble Choir.  This course may be taken for Level 1 credit by audition and by completing additional requirements through independent study. 

Full Year – 1.00 Credit

7140 - Level 1

7340 - Level 2

Offered for grades 10, 11 and 12

Prerequisite: Audition

The Concert Choir is a select performance ensemble open to qualified sophomores, juniors and seniors by audition.  Prior membership in Chorus, Treble Choir or the equivalent is expected.  Advanced literature from all historical periods including small major works with instrumental accompaniment is studied.  Emphasis is placed on development of vocal skills in the areas of tone quality and tone production, breath control, reading accuracy and interpretation.  The choir performs at school concerts as well as selected community events.  This course may be taken for Level 1 credit by audition and by completing additional requirements through independent study. 

Full Year – 1.00 Credit 

7145 -  Level 1

7345 – Level 2

Offered for Grades 10, 11 and 12 

Prerequisite: Audition

The Treble Choir is an auditioned group for soprano and alto singers that performs music at an advanced level with a focus on a cappella music.  This includes music from the standard choral repertoire as well as music in a popular style, specifically suited for soprano and alto voices.  Emphasis will be placed on singing with good vocal technique and development of music literacy.  Auditions for this group take place in January and are open to all treble singers in grades 10-12, regardless of whether or not they have taken Chorus before.  This course may be taken for Level 1 credit by audition and by completing additional requirements through independent study. 

Full Year – 1.00 Credit 

7100 - Level 1

7300 - Level 2

Offered for grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 

Prerequisite: Prior Band Experience

This ensemble is open to students who can demonstrate the ability to perform level 3 literature.  Instruction  emphasizes ensemble skills, aesthetic awareness, musical literacy and technical development through the study of diverse works.  Members are required to participate in all concert performances, the Memorial Day Parade, and three Pep Band events.   Students may pursue Level 1 credit through a separate audition process and the successful completion of additional requirements.

Full Year – 1.00 Credit

7110 - Level 1

7310 - Level 2

Offered for grades 10, 11 and 12 

Prerequisite: Audition

This is an auditioned ensemble open to  students in grades 10 through 12 who demonstrate the ability to perform level 4+ literature.   Instruction emphasizes ensemble skills, aesthetic awareness, musical literacy, and advanced technical development through the study of diverse and challenging  works.  Members are required to participate in all concert performances, the Memorial Day Parade and three Pep Band events.  Students may pursue Level 1 credit through a separate audition process and the successful completion of additional requirements through independent study. 

Full Year– 1.00 Credit 

7170 - Level 1 (ECE)

Not Offered 2026-2027, Offered 2027-2028

Offered for Grades 10, 11 and 12

 Prerequisite:  Fundamentals of Music Theory or by consent of the instructor.

This course focuses on aural and visual identification of musical elements including chords, cadences, compositional processes and skills, rhythm and meters, phrase structures, form and modulation.  College credit or advanced placement may be earned through the Advanced Placement Examination given in May.  Students taking this course may enroll in the UConn ECE program.  

Half Year – 0.50 Credit

 7169 -Level 1 (ECE)

Offered 2026-2027, Not Offered 2027-2028

Offered for grades 9, 10, 11 and 12

This one semester course introduces students to the fundamentals of music theory including melody, rhythm, harmonic dictation, sight-singing, part-writing, musical terminology and form.  This Level 1 course is taught in the music technology lab and is recommended as a preparation to AP Theory.  It is recommended for all ensemble students but may also be taken by any student, as an introductory exploration of theory.  Students taking this course may enroll in the UConn ECE program. 

Half Year - 0.50 Credit

7370 - Level 2

Offered for grades 9, 10, 11 and 12

This course is designed for students with little or no guitar experience.  Students will learn basic chords, scales, note and rhythm reading, tab reading and beginning barre chords. Students will also learn to play songs using notes, tab and chords.  Students who have proficiency in most of these skills, especially basic chords, should consider taking Intermediate Guitar.  If a student is unsure which course to take, they should check with a guitar instructor. This course may be taken a second time only with teacher permission. 

Half Year - 0.50 Credit 

7380 - Level 2

Offered for grades 9, 10, 11 and 12

This course is designed for students who have completed the GHS Beginning Guitar course and/or for students who have basic rudimentary guitar skills (see requirements from Beginning Guitar description).  Students will study advanced barre chords, note and rhythm reading, fingerpicking styles scales and modes, guitar theory, composition, song writing, improvisation and ensemble performance.  If a student is unsure which course to take they should check with a guitar instructor.  This class may be taken a second time only with teacher permission. 

Half Year - 0.50 Credit 

7441 - Level 2

Offered for grades 9, 10, 11 and 12

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of creating and producing music using sequencing, notation and audio software. Students will complete projects such as a commercial, movie soundtrack, and live recording. Opportunities are provided for students to explore individual areas of interest using additional software programs.  No prior musical experience is required.  This hands-on course is designed to engage and support students of all backgrounds, abilities and interests.

Half Year – 0.50 Credit 

7450 - Level 2

Offered for grades 9, 10, 11 and 12

This course offers students of all levels the opportunity to learn, develop and improve piano and keyboard skills. It is designed to support both beginners and those with prior experience. Through hands-on learning at individual stations in the music MIDI lab, students will work at their own pace using piano keyboard software.  Students will learn basic piano technique, proper fingering, music reading, chord progressions and a variety of repertoire.  Whether you are just beginning or looking to refine your skills, this course provides a supportive and structured environment for musical growth.

Half Year - 0.50 Credit

7430- Level 1 (ECE)

Offered for grades 9, 10, 11 and 12

In this classroom course, students will examine popular and world music’s influence within American society.  Students will study significant styles and genres of American popular music and how they are influenced by European American, African American and Latin American traditions.  Students will be encouraged to think critically and creatively about musics of the world and their influence on popular music throughout the 20th century. Students taking this course may enroll in the UConn ECE program.