Music Education Courses

Concert Choir is open to any student interested in music and singing. Prior experience in music is not necessary, as students gain knowledge of vocal techniques, music literacy, and perform a broad variety of music. Students in Concert Choir may audition for select ensembles such as All State and All Shore Chorus. Performances include, but are not limited to, the Winter and Spring Concerts.

This class may be taken more than once for credit.

Chamber Choir is an advanced choir made up of students who have a strong interest in music and some prior musical experience. Chamber Choir performs a broad variety of music at many school and community functions and concerts. Students enrolled in the course are eligible to audition for All Shore and All State Honors Choirs. This class may be taken more than once for repeated credit.

Vocal Performance Workshop will support aspiring musicians as they build their solo and ensemble vocal abilities. This course teaches the fundamentals of singing and musicianship. Performances may include the Winter and Spring Concerts, graduation, and the opportunity to audition for All Shore and/or All State Honors Choirs. Musical styles range from Classical to Pop, Accompanied, & Acappella. All are welcome in this course, and it may be taken more than once for repeated credit.

Concert Band is an instrumental ensemble course that continues the performance education of band students. Student musicians work to strengthen music reading and performance skills while preparing for school and community concerts throughout the academic year.

Performances at the Winter concert, Spring concert, and graduation are required. After school rehearsals may also be required.

The Honors Symphonic Band course is designed to offer highly engaged returning instrumental music students in grades 10 through 12 an opportunity to advance their skills as woodwind, brass, and percussion performers. All students involved in the instrumental music program will have the opportunity to perform music that is meaningful and diverse. Student musicians will learn how to perform on their instruments to a high standard of technical proficiency and to gain an understanding and appreciation of music in general. Students will always be expected to strive to perform their best to achieve their personal goals.

Performances at the Winter concert, Spring concert, and graduation are required. After school rehearsals may also be required.

Piano & Keyboard Technique is designed for any student interested in building and refining their piano and musicianship skills. Students have the opportunity to work individually and in groups as they learn piano technique and music literacy concepts. The music to be studied ranges from technical exercises to Classical and Popular pieces. Students who already possess piano skill will have the opportunity to learn and perform a broader variety of pieces.

Piano & Keyboard II (Honors) supports aspiring musicians as they continue to build their piano and music literacy skills. This single-semester honors course compliments the fundamentals of piano technique and music literacy gained in Piano & Keyboard I, or through previous piano study. Students will continue to build their individual music reading and piano performance abilities, as well as strengthen their technical skills through playing and studying a diverse repertoire of music in multiple keys and styles. The musical styles and repertoire to be studied will range from Classical to Broadway, Disney, Jazz, and Pop. (Prerequisite: Piano & Keyboard I or Instructor Permission) Arts Academy Elective (Offered at HS North only)

Music Theory is open to all students interested in developing knowledge about how to write, read, and enjoy music. The course covers basic concepts in music from beat and rhythm to melody, scales, keys, and composition. Students will build the skills necessary to enroll in AP Music Theory or pursue musical hobbies and interests independently. The course is open to all students and prior musical knowledge is not required.

AP Music Theory is an in-depth study of music. Students will build and refine their music literacy skills, as well as listen to, analyze, arrange, and compose music. This course is recommended for any student who is passionate about music or interested in performing arts studies in high school or college. Students will also gain the option to take the AP Music Theory exam.

Prerequisite: Music Theory & Composition or teacher recommendation.

*Based on enrollment, AP courses may only be offered at one high school. Transportation will be provided.

This course is a study of Rock and Pop Music from Elvis to the Rolling Stones to present-day bands and performers. The cultural relationship among great rock musicians, their music, media, and trends in culture and society are studied, along with the evolution of music from early Be-Bop to Jazz, Motown, Rhythm & Blues, Alternative, and present–day chart toppers.

Students who take this elective will develop skills in individual performance, and audition techniques. Preparing students for auditions is not a common class practice, and requires individualized attention. Students will learn about the process of auditioning for ensembles at the high school and college level, while taking the confidence we build up in the course into our own ensembles making our music program stronger from within. (Arts Academy Students first preference - offered at HS North only)

This course will pair with Musicians Performance Technique for students to broaden their musical knowledge further. This course is for Academy students in order to enhance their individual musicianship. For Arts Academy Students (Offered at HS North only)

Prerequisite of one year in Concert Band.