The Music Department offers a variety of ensembles to continue engaging students in performance opportunities. Any student may register for these classes, but new members should consult the appropriate director before signing up. Additionally, most ensembles have pull-out lessons and after school concert commitments that should be factored into the decision making process. We also offer non-performance classes for students who are interested in music but do not have a background in music performance.
1210 CHORUS
Length of course: Semester
Credit: .5
Grade 9 -12
Pathway: Arts & Communications (AC)
1211 CHORUS
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 9 -12
Pathway: Arts & Communications (AC)
The Mixed Chorus is open to all students, grades 9-12, and does not require an audition. In this ensemble, students will learn a variety of music styles, including Musical Theatre, Classical, Multi-Cultural, and more. The Mixed Chorus performs on all of the LD Choir concerts (Fall, Winter, Spring) and occasionally performs at outside venues such as Hersheypark’s Candylane. All members of LD Choirs also have the opportunity to attend the choirs’ annual Fall and Spring trips to New York City. Students are expected to attend sectionals as a part of this course and as a component of the grade for this course.
1213 BAND
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 9 -12
Pathway: Arts & Communications (AC)
While participating in this ensemble, students will have the opportunity to progress on their instrument as well as advance their skills in performance and musicianship. Students will audition for chair placement toward the end of the first marking period. Students in this ensemble will have the opportunity to perform at two major concerts during the year in which a high quality of repertoire will be presented. Students wishing to advance their performance opportunities will be able to audition for county, district, regional, and state festivals. Opportunities for smaller, more select groups will also unveil themselves as the year progresses. The band serves as a vehicle for students to express themselves musically while working with a group to reach a common goal. There will be two rehearsals outside of the school day each year. For Information (auditions and requirements) on extra-curricular music ensembles such as Marching Band and Indoor Drumline, please see Band Director. Enrollment in 1213 (band) is a requirement for Marching Band and Indoor Drumline. Students are expected to attend sectionals as part of this course and as a component of the grade for this course. *Participating in Marching Band is not a requirement of this course.
1214 ORCHESTRA
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 9 -12
Pathway: Arts & Communications (AC)
The orchestra is open to all string students in grades 9th through 12th. The orchestra and string orchestra provide students with the opportunity to create excellent music together as they hone their own skills and musicianship. Students will apply techniques that have been previously presented in lessons, set individual playing goals each marking period, and continue to progress on their instrument. As an ensemble, musical literature from the Baroque to Contemporary periods as well as popular music is performed. String orchestra and orchestra members participate in holiday and spring concerts and an elementary school tour. There are also opportunities for motivated students to be involved in honors festivals and audition for county, district, regional, and state festivals throughout the year. Students are expected to attend lessons as part of this course and as a component of the grade for this course.
1215 BAND AND ORCHESTRA
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 9 -12
Pathway: Arts & Communications (AC)
PREREQUISITE: 1213 Concert Band, 1214 Orchestra or 1218 Percussion Methods
Students who are wind or percussion players that wish to play in the orchestra should register for this course. Full Orchestra meets during first period twice a week. Musical literature from the Classical to Modern periods of music is performed. The Full Orchestra performs in holiday and spring concerts, as well as an elementary school tour. The prerequisite is course #1213, Concert Band or #1218, Percussion Methods for percussion. The final decision for participation in Band/Orchestra will rest with the music faculty based on the needs of the orchestra with regard to the number and difficulty of parts. In rare instances, auditions may be required. For course descriptions, please see 1213 BAND and 1214 ORCHESTRA and 1218 PERCUSSION METHODS.
1218 PERCUSSION METHODS
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 9 -12
Pathway: Arts & Communications (AC)
The purpose of this class is to provide a richer and broader percussion experience to students that wish to study percussion performance at the HS level. Students enrolled in this class should have previous experience with percussion in Concert Band at the middle school level. This class will focus on performance techniques on ALL percussion equipment (i.e. battery, keyboard, auxiliary percussion and timpani) for all members. There are NO pull out sectionals for this class. Members will perform with the Concert Band at concerts and will perform their own literature at such events as a percussion ensemble or as a soloist in recitals (in class or for Tri M).
1219 JAZZ BAND/IMPROVISATION
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 9 -12
Pathway: Arts & Communications (AC)
PREREQUISITE: Instructor approval based on instrument proficiency
This class will explore elements of music specific to jazz: jazz history, solo improvisation, audiation, jazz theory and transcription. Students should be prepared to play in a spring concert and occasional concerts outside the school day. Members should be comfortable soloing in a group and individually regardless of their level of experience. Beginning improvisers are encouraged to sign up! Except for students that expressly play rhythm section instruments (guitar, bass, drums and piano) members of the jazz band should also be in the Concert Band.
1220 MUSIC THEORY I
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 9 -12
Pathway: Arts & Communications (AC)
PREREQUISITE: Instructor’s approval.
This course is designed for the serious music student. It will include introduction to sight singing, melodic and harmonic dictation, harmony, the elements of melody and rhythm, and other various components of basic theory. Students will be expected to sing with the class as well as solo. This course would be recommended for the student considering majoring in music in college.
1221 MUSIC THEORY II
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 10 -12
Pathway: Arts & Communications (AC)
PREREQUISITE: Music Theory I
This course is designed for the serious music student. It will include continuation to sight singing, melodic and harmonic dictation, harmony, the elements of melody and rhythm, composition, part writing, and other various components of basic theory. This course would be recommended for the student considering majoring in music in college. The prerequisite for this course is Music Theory I, course # 1220.
1231 CHAMBER SINGERS
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 9 -12
Pathway: Arts & Communications (AC)
PREREQUISITE: Audition for membership
The Chamber Singers are LD’s elite chamber choir, selected by audition. Auditions are open to students entering grades 9-12, and occur each May at the HS and MS. Chamber Singers provides members with the opportunity to learn, and perform vocal repertoire at an advanced artistic level. (Repertoire ranges in style from Renaissance, Classical, and Jazz, to Multi-Cultural, Musical Theatre, and Contemporary Music.) The Chamber Singers perform on all of the LD Choir concerts (Fall, Winter, Spring), and at Commencement, as well as giving numerous performances throughout the community. In the past, the Chamber Singers have received invitations to perform at PMEA and ACDA All-State Conferences, with the Central PA Symphony, and at the University of Pittsburgh. Members of the Chamber Singers are encouraged to audition for PMEA District Choir. Students are expected to attend sectionals as a part of this course and as a component of the grade for this course.
1232 WOMEN’S SELECT CHOIR
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 9 -12
Pathway: Arts & Communications (AC)
PREREQUISITE: Audition for membership
The Women’s Select Choir is LD’s elite women’s choir, selected by audition. Auditions are open to students entering grades 9-12, and occur each May at the HS and MS. Women’s Select Choir provides members with the opportunity to learn and perform vocal repertoire at an advanced artistic level. (Repertoire ranges in style from Renaissance, Classical, and Jazz, to Multi-Cultural, Musical Theatre, and Contemporary Music.) The Women’s Select Choir performs on all of the LD Choir concerts (Fall, Winter, Spring), and at Commencement, as well as giving numerous performances throughout the community. In the past, the Women’s Select Choir has received invitations to perform at the NAfME All-Eastern Conference in Atlantic City, with the Central PA Symphony, and at the Susquehanna University HS Treble Choir Invitational. Members of the Women’s Select Choir are eligible to audition for PMEA District Choir. Students are expected to attend sectionals as a part of this course and as a component of the grade for this course.
1239 INDEPENDENT STUDY MUSIC
Admission to this course will be at the discretion of the high school music staff following a preregistration conference. The majority of the curriculum or/ focus for this course is music theory. The music theory I course is highly recommended as a prerequisite. Independent Study is offered to provide individual students with the opportunity to explore special talents or interests. Students will work with a classroom teacher to set personal learning goals and to determine the type of project or learning experience they would like to pursue. The classroom teacher and student will agree upon and determine the credit value (.5, 1.0) and how a grade will be determined (percentage grade or Pass/Fail). Independent study is designed to supplement a student’s educational pathway but cannot exempt a student from Board approved core graduation requirements. Students must complete Independent Study paperwork and be approved for the course by a building administrator.