Performing Arts

Weight: 10

Course Length: Year

Pre-requisites: Music Theory I, Music Appreciation                                             

Criteria for Admissions:

1.       Music Theory with a grade of 85% or higher

2.       Music Appreciation or comparable experience

3.       Teacher recommendation

Credits: 5 - This course is designed to build on the skills learned in Music Theory I and to prepare students to take the AP Music Theory Exam. Students will be introduced to basic musical language and grammar, as well as ear training and dictation skills required for sight reading and transcription of musical literature. Students will learn to recognize the development of music from a historical and cultural perspective and to extend their musical awareness beyond the familiar. The class meets for 55 minutes 3-4 times per week, depending on the rotation schedule. 

Weight: 0

Course Length: Year

Pre-requisites: none                                                                                                             

Criteria for admissions:                                                                                                     

CREDITS: 3.0 - 5.0 – Concert choir meets during zero period on a regular basis for full rehearsals and sectionals.  The course is designed for all students, especially those who have had singing experience.  Fundamentals are stressed, including tone quality, blend and choral technique.  The students are exposed to various music styles ranging from classical to modern. Students are required at attend weekly vocal lessons, which are given during the regular school day on a rotating basis so that each subject is missed no more than three times per semester.  

* Students participating in Choir only will receive 5.0 credits.  Students participating in Choir as well as Band or Orchestra will receive 3 credits.  Student taking the course for 3.0 credits will have the same attendance requirements as a semester course.

Weight: 0

Course Length: Year

Pre-requisites: none                                                                                                         

Criteria for admissions:                                                                                      

This elective course is intended to introduce students to various aspects of dance. The course will include the following units of study: Elements of Dance and Kinesthetic Movement, History of the Arts and Culture, Influence of Dance, and Choreography and Performance. All students will choreograph, perform, and critique solo and collaborative pieces. Students will learn the importance of dance in various cultures, its impact across history, and its integration with visual and performing arts. This is an introductory-level course for those with little or no experience.

Weight: 3

Course Length: Semester

Pre-requisites: none                                                                                                    

Criteria for admissions:                          

Dual enrollment: 3 college credits available from Bergen Community College (grades 11, 12)                                                            

Evolution of American Music is a semester course, which will be interesting for all students, whether or not they have had prior musical experience. The purpose of this course is to introduce music as an art form and as a means of expression. The main focus is on the non-technical aspects of music, although some elements of form and structure are introduced in order to give the students a foundation upon which to place the rest of the information. Although not a prerequisite, this course also serves as an excellent primer for the Music Theory I course, which is offered on the same track in the spring.  This course will follow the development of popular music in the United States from the advent of Jazz in the 1890's through current trends in popular music. In addition to studying how American popular music developed and evolved, we will examine how technology, race, and culture both influenced popular music and were influenced by popular music.

Weight: 0

Course Length: Year

Pre-requisites: none                                                                                                   

Criteria for admissions:                                                                                              

This is a co-curricular performance course, under the Option Two program, that will contain the same musical elements as the Symphonic Band Course of Study.  In addition students will develop the ability to improvise and perform the various jazz styles (swing, Latin, funk, rock etc,). The Jazz Band is open to all students at Mahwah High school who qualify by audition. Students will apply all the essential elements of music performance required for Symphonic Band along with the elements unique to jazz style. Attendance at all scheduled performances is a requirement of this course, along with an additional 2 hours of rehearsal each week during the months of November, December, January, February, March and April.

Weight: 0

Course Length: Year

Pre-requisites: none                                                                                                

Criteria for admissions:                                                                                                   

CREDITS: 2.5 – Marching Band/Color Guard is a performance course under the Option 2 program.  This group performs at all high school football games, pep rallies, and various school functions.  The group also performs for competitive festivals and parades. The Color Guard is a non-instrumental portion of the band for dancers and flag/rifle/saber twirlers. This course meets for full band or sectional practice two evenings per week from September through November and also meets on Fridays or Saturdays before each football game.  The course also meets in the spring for parade rehearsals. All students must participate in a six-day marching band camp in mid-August, which is held at Mahwah High School. Through this course, students will learn the fundamental techniques of marching, musicianship, and performance skills.  For Marching Band, previous instrumental experience is recommended but not required. For Color Guard, previous dance experience is recommended, and prior experience in flag twirling is not required.        

Weight: 3

Course Length: Semester

Pre-requisites: none                                                                                                 

Criteria for admissions:                     

Dual enrollment: 3 college credits available from Bergen Community College (grades 11, 12)                                                                             

How Music Works (Music Theory I) is a Spring semester course, which is open to all students and will stimulate the creative potential of even those students with prior performance experience, while being “user friendly” to those with not musical experience at all.  Students will be introduced to the mechanics of music theory, elements of harmony, and recognition of pitch intervals and melodies.  Based in practicality, one of the main goals of this course is to have each student learn the skills necessary to compose a simple song with harmonic and rhythmic accompaniment.  How Music Works, although free-standing, is offered on the same track as the Music Appreciation course, Music in Our Lives, which can serve as an excellent primer.

Weight: 0

Course Length: Year

Pre-requisites: none                                                                                                         

Criteria for admissions:                                                                                                    

CREDITS:  3.0 – 5.0 – This course meets during zero period on a regular basis for full rehearsals and sectionals.  Students learn the fundamentals and finer points of technique, balance, blend, and musical communication through performance.  It is open to all experienced string players.  The String Ensemble includes weekly lessons, given during the regular school day on a rotating basis so that each subject is missed no more than three times per semester. 

* Students participating in String Orchestra only will receive 5.0 credits.  Students participating in String Orchestra and Chorus will receive 3 credits.  Students taking the course for 3.0 credits will have the same attendance requirements as a semester course.

Weight: 0

Course Length: Year

Pre-requisites: none                                                                                                          

Criteria for admissions:                                                                                                  

CREDITS:  3.0 - 5.0 – This course meets during zero period on a regular basis for full rehearsals and sectionals.  Students learn the fundamentals and finer points of technique, balance, blend, and musical communication through performance.  Instrumental ensemble is generally open to all woodwind, brass, percussion, and string bass players and represents the school in concerts both on and off campus.  Students are required to attend weekly lessons, which are given during the regular school day on a rotating basis so that each subject is missed no more than three times per semester.  

*Students participating in Band only will receive 5.0 credits.  Students participating in Band and Chorus will receive 3.0 credits for each course.  Students taking either course (for 3.0 credits) will have the same attendance requirements as a semester course.