GRADE 9 COURSES
Grade 9 Instrumental Music - AMU102/AMU101
This course allows students that have played an instrument in previous music classes to continue to develop technique and performance abilities on their instrument, but also allows students that have no previous experience an opportunity to learn an instrument and explore musical concepts. Work on theory rudiments, ear training and simple analysis will also be explored. This course is offered both as a regular semestered course (AMU101) or as a year long, 9th credit lunchtime course (AMU102). Students may choose from the following instruments in the class: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium (Baritone), Tuba, Electric Bass, Upright Double Bass, Percussion and Mallet Percussion.
Prerequsite: None
Grade 9 Vocal Music - AMV102
This course aims to help young singers develop proper vocal technique to assist them with expanding ranging, singing with good tone and performance ettiquette. Students enrolled in the course will have the opportunity to develop as a solo singer as well as choral singing skills. Work on theory rudiments, ear training and simple analysis will be explored. No experience is neccessary.
GRADE 10 COURSES
Grade 10 Instrumental Music - AMU2O
This course is a continuation of Grade 9 Music where students will continue to develop their performance skills. Course material will help develop students’ technique on their instrument so that they are able to play more difficult ensemble and solo material easier. There will also be work on improvising, using computer notation software and working in small ensembles. Students will demonstrate their skills at the end of the course by working with a professional accompanist to prepare their exam solos and students in the course will be able to showcase their skills in the winter or spring concert. Students that want to become a member of the Wind Ensemble or Senior Jazz Ensemble must enroll in at least one Instrumental Music course after Grade 9.
Prerequisite: AMU101. AMU102
Grade 10 Strings - AMS2O
This course allows students with little to no experience to begin study on orchestral stringed instruments. Students will learn proper picking and bowing technique as well as Music theory and Music history relevant to their study on their orchestral instrument. Instrument choices for this course are violin, viola, cello and upright bass. Instruments are provided by the school, but students may use their own instrument if they have it.
Prerequisite: None
Grade 10 Vocal Music - AMV2O
This course is a continuation of Grade 9 Vocal Music. Work in this class is centered around developing vocal technique as a solo singer as well as bettering choral skills. Students will have the chance to learn about the anatomy of the human voice and how to develop their range, vocal power and sight singing skills.
Prerequisite: None
GRADE 11 COURSES
Grade 11 Instrumental Music - AMU3M
Students enrolled in Grade 11 Music will develop instrument specific technique which will include introduction to many musical ornaments and stylistic elements that they will encounter in their advanced repertoire and solo playing. They will expand on the computer Music work learned in Grade 10 and complete an arranging assignment where the class will perform their unique arrangements. They will also dive deeper into analysing works of Music from different musical time periods to help their understanding of how repertoire should be interpreted and played. Similarly to Grade 10, they will receive coaching from a professional piano accompanist prior to performing their end performance tasks. Students that want to become a member of the Wind Ensemble or Senior Jazz Ensemble must enroll in at least one Instrumental Music course after Grade 9.
Prerequisite: AMU2O1
Beginning Guitar - AMG3O
The Guitar course offered in Grade 11 is a beginning guitar course and even though it is offered in Grade 11 it is open to any student in any grade to take. In this class students will learn how to play using tabulature and notation as well as how to do some simple improvising. This class will involve the use of technology and will have its foundation in Rock and Blues.
Prerequisite: None
Grade 11 Strings - AMS3M
This course is a continuation of the Grade 10 Strings course. In this course, students will continue their studies on violin, viola, cello or upright bass. They will begin to learn fingerings in order to play in a larger variety of keys as well as more advanced bowing techniques. They will also begin to incorporate advanced articulations and ornaments into their playing. Their strings study will coincide with relevant theory including computer music work and arranging. In this course students will also learn about the Romantic Era of Music.
Prerequisite: AMS2O or approval from course instructor
Grade 11 Vocal Music - AMV3M
This course continues to build on the singing techniques learned in the Grade 10 course. The class will begin to work more advanced vocal repertoire in a variety of genres. Students will learn how to arrange music using computer software and continue to work on both solo and ensemble singing in large and small groups.
Prerequisite: AMV1O1 or AMV201
GRADE 12 COURSES
Grade 12 Instrumental Music - AMU4M
Students enrolled in Grade 12 Music will continue to develop instrument specific technique which will include introduction to many musical ornaments and stylistic elements that they will encounter in their advanced repertoire and solo playing. They will expand on the computer Music work learned in Grade 11 and will also dive deeper into analysing works of Music from different musical time periods to help their understanding of how repertoire should be interpreted and played. Similarly to Grade 11, they will receive coaching from a professional piano accompanist prior to performing their end performance tasks. Students that want to become a member of the nationally ranked Wind Ensemble must enroll in at least one Instrumental Music course after Grade 9.
Prerequisite: AMU3M
Grade 12 Strings - AMS4M
This course is a continuation of the Grade 11 Strings course. In this course, students will continue their studies on violin, viola, cello or upright bass. They will begin to learn advanced playing positions in order to extend the ranges on their instruments as well as more advanced bowing techniques. They will also begin to incorporate advanced articulations and ornaments into their playing and have the chance to play more advanced orchestral repertoire. Their strings study will coincide with relevant theory including computer music work and arranging. In this course students will also learn about the 20th Century Music including, serialism, impressionism, expressionism and atonal music.
Prerequisite: AMS3M or approval from course instructor
Grade 12 Vocal Music - AMV4M
This course continues to build on the singing techniques learned in the Grade 11 course. The class will begin to work more advanced vocal repertoire in a variety of genres. Students will learn how to arrange music using computer software and continue to work on both solo and ensemble singing in large and small groups.
Prerequisite: AMV1O1 or AMV201
Advanced Guitar - AMG4M
The Guitar course offered in Grade 12continues where the Grade 11 course left off. Students will experiment will playing in different styles, learn more advance chords and strumming techniques, further their knowledge of tabulature and notation reading and work collaboratively with other students in small groups. This class will involve the use of technology and will have its foundation in Rock and Blues.
Prerequisite: AMG3O