Music- Grade 11 & 12
Note: All Music courses usually culminate with a spring performance tour.
Table of Contents
Concert Choir 11 and 12
MCMCC11-4S / MCMCC12-4S Credits: 4
Prerequisite: none
Concert Choir welcomes all students who have a passion for singing and wish to improve their vocal ability. Students will learn about breath support, mouth shape, blending with other singers and much more. A wide range of styles will be explored and performed, including pieces in languages other than English. Students will be expected to perform in at least two public performances throughout the year. Uniform: black formal wear, black dress shoes.
Concert Band 11 and 12
MIMCB11-4L / MIMCB12-4L Credits: 4
Prerequisite: Band 10
This course will build on the concepts developed in concert band 9. Students are expected to engage in regular practice of both their music and technical exercises. Orchestral string players are welcome! Some music theory, music listening, and skill-building exercises will be included in the course curriculum. Students will be expected to perform in at least two public performances throughout the year. Uniform: black formal wear, black dress shoes.
Jazz Band 11 and 12
MIMJB11-4S / MIMJB12-4S Credits: 4
Prerequisite: Band 10
Jazz Band is offered to students who have a musical background on their instrument, with an emphasis on the rehearsal and performance of Swing, Funk, Contemporary Jazz, and Latin charts. Some music theory (mostly related to improvisation), music listening, and skill-building exercises will be included in the course curriculum. Enrollment in Concert Band is also recommended for its valuable musicianship skill-building. Students will be expected to perform in at least two public performances throughout the year. Uniform: black formal wear, black dress shoes.
Jazz Studies 11 and 12
YVPA-1A-4S / YVPA-2A-4S Credits: 4
Prerequisite: Enrolled in Jazz Band
Jazz Studies, also known as Jazz Combo, is a small ensemble that usually consists of a rhythm section and one or more wind instruments or vocalists. Emphasis is on the further development of jazz improvisation theory, leadership skills, and ensemble playing skills. Rehearsals may be held before school, at lunchtime, or after school. Each combo must rehearse twice per week at times chosen by the band which are conducive to each member’s schedule for the entire year. Jazz Combos are also asked to play gigs independent of the music department.
Vocal Jazz 11 and 12
MCMJV11-4S / MCMJV12-4S Credits: 4
Prerequisite: Concert Choir
This ensemble will rehearse and perform repertoire traditional to the Vocal Jazz idiom, and learn key skills that extend the learning acquired in Concert Choir. Rhythm section players (guitar, bass, drums and piano) are also encouraged to sign up for this course in order to back up the choir. Singers in this ensemble will have the opportunity to improvise and learn how to scat sing. Students will be expected to perform in at least two public performances throughout the year. Uniform: black formal wear, black dress shoes
Guitar 11 and 12
MIMCB11-4S-G / MIMCB12-4S-G Credits: 4
Prerequisite: None
This course is for students that wish to learn and improve guitar skills by playing in a group setting. Students will learn variety of musical styles including Classical, Jazz, Blues, Latin, Folk, Pop, and Rock. Students will develop technical skills such as playing scales, chords, strumming patterns and fingerpicking, reading notes, chord symbols and tablature and improvising. Students will prepare a few pieces of music and perform in a concert. This course is open to all students.
Commercial Music 11 and 12
MMUCM11 –4S / MMUCM12-4S Credits: 4
Prerequisite: None
Contemporary Music is a course for students interested in creating, and performing contemporary popular music. Students explore musical characteristics and instrumentation common in Rock, Jazz, Blues, Pop, Electronic, Hip hop, Alternative and more. Students must either rent or own their own instrument. This course is for students that sing and/or have begun learning an instrument and would like learn to play in a group setting. In addition to developing musical skills and technique students will examine the music industry, marketing, performance techniques, stage and live equipment set up, live and studio mixing, using microphones, song writing and recording. Students will be involved in organizing, setting up and performing at various concerts and gigs throughout the year.
Musical Theatre Pit Orchestra 11 and 12
MMUOR11-4S / MMUOR12-4S Credits: 4
Prerequisite: Band 10
This course runs in conjunction with the Musical Theatre production put on by RSS' drama department. Students in this ensemble will rehearse professional-level music to perform alongside the actors in real time to provide the soundtrack to the show. Students interested in this group must possess a strong ability to read music, excellent rehearsal conduct and a commitment to practice the material. Woodwind, brass, rhythm section and piano are all welcome.
Audio Engineering 11 & 12
MMUCP11-4S / MMUCP12-4S Credits: 4
Prerequisite: None
In this course students will have the opportunity to work with modern technologies that are currently used in the music industry for a variety of purposes. Notation software like MuseScore and Sibelius, digital audio workstations like Soundtrap and GarageBand and several other computer programs will make up the content of this course. Students interested in this subject area should have some sort of musical knowledge, and be prepared to enlist fellow musicians for recording projects.