MPS HS Program of Studies 2023-2024

Fine Arts/Music

Students in Music will communicate and express themselves musically as they develop creativity, discipline, analytical skills, problem solving, teamwork and cultural awareness.

The Music Department provides a range of activities through which students can broaden their knowledge, appreciation, and enjoyment of music while some, such as Jazz Band and Music Theory, are geared toward experienced musicians. Other courses, such as Band, Choir, or String Orchestra build sequentially on the music program in the middle schools and provide the foundation for lifelong participation and enjoyment of music. Guitar, Piano, iPads & Music, and Music Technology are designed for both novice and experienced musicians; it is never too late to learn music.

Music Course Descriptions

CHORUS (Formerly Freshman Choir)

Grade 9,10,11,12 (1.0 Credits)

Level: ES-45E101

Chorus is designed as an entry-level course for students who enjoy singing in a choral setting. Special instructional attention is given to music literacy and proper choral singing. Performances include winter and spring concerts, graduations, and various other school and community concerts. Repertoire will include a wide variety of choral literature representing various periods, cultures and languages. Students must be willing to commit to practice time and performances beyond the school day.

CONCERT CHOIR

Grade 10,11,12 (1.0 Credits)

Level: ES-45E205

Concert Choir is designed for students who enjoy singing in a choral setting. Special instructional attention is given to music literacy and vocal-specific performance practice. Performances include winter and spring concerts, graduations, and various other school and community concerts. Repertoire will include a wide variety of choral literature representing various periods, cultures and languages. Students must be willing to commit to practice time and performances beyond the school day. This course may be taken more than once.

ADVANCED VOCAL ENSEMBLE

Grade 10,11,12 (1.0 Credits)

Level: 1-451215

In this course, students will take on the challenge of singing advanced choral literature in a chamber choir setting. Special instructional attention is given to advanced music literacy and performance practice of a cappella singing. This ensemble serves as a choral ambassador for the school and performs at many community events. Students must be willing to commit to practice time and several performances beyond the school day. Class size is limited to 24 students. To elect Advanced Vocal Ensemble, a student must have previously been enrolled in Chorus (Formerly Freshman Choir) or Concert Choir. This course may be taken more than once. Prerequisite: Required Audition.

CONCERT BAND

Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 (1.0 Credits)

Level: ES – 45E107

The Concert/Marching Band performs at pep rallies, football games, school events, festivals and evening concerts. Special instructional attention is given to music literacy and instrument-specific performance practice. Repertoire covers a wide range of musical styles ranging from standard works for concert band to contemporary selections. Students must be willing to commit to practice time and performances beyond the school day. This course may be taken more than once.

Prerequisite: Previous participation in the band program or required audition.

STRING ORCHESTRA

Grade 9,10,11,12 (1.0 Credits)

Level: ES-45E180

The String Orchestra performs in evening performances, competitions, festivals, school assemblies, and visitations. Instrumentation includes violin, viola, cello, and bass in a group setting. Special instructional attention is given to instrument-specific performance practice, as well as music literacy. Repertoire includes selections from the Baroque era up to contemporary and pop music. Students must be willing to commit to practice time and performances beyond the school day. This course may be taken more than once. Prerequisite: Previous participation in the orchestra program, or required audition.

JAZZ IMPROVISATION FOR INSTRUMENTAL MUSICIANS

Grade 9,10,11,12 (0.5 Credits)

Level: ES – 45E165

This course explores jazz improvisation for instrumental musicians. This is a hands-on course where students will actively engage in music improvisation. Students will explore the history of jazz and its styles as well as Jazz Theory as it applies to improvisational performance techniques. This course is recommended for students who are enrolled in the Concert Band or String Orchestra (this course is for both traditional and non-traditional jazz instruments!) and are interested in learning how to improvise. Prerequisite: Students must also be enrolled in either Concert Band or String Orchestra. This course may be taken more than once.

VOCAL PERFORMANCE TECHNIQUES FOR MUSICAL THEATER

Grade 9,10,11,12 (0.5 Credits)

Level: ES – 45E187

This course will provide students with the skills unique to singing in a musical production. Special instructional attention is given to vocal production, stage presence, and style. Students will explore the appropriate vocal performance practices of various musical selections throughout the history of musical theater.

IPADS AND MUSIC

Grade 9,10,11,12 (0.5 Credits)

Level: ES – 45E185

iPads have become an innovative tool for exploring and creating music. This class will explore the musical potential of the iPad through various apps that allow for the exploration, creation and performance of music. Students will sequence music and create new music using the iPad. This course is geared to all students who enjoy music and technology.

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY: CREATING AND COMPOSING WITH TECHNOLOGY I

Grade 9,10,11,12 (0.5 Credits)

Level: ES – 45E115

Through the use of music notation and sequencing computer software, students will explore, experiment with, discover, discuss and evaluate the making of music. In addition to providing a basic understanding of music, this course will provide students with an outlet for creativity and self-expression by focusing on creating, arranging and composing original music, accessing and manipulating sounds, and analyzing and editing music. Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that students have a basic knowledge of music notation.

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY: CREATING AND COMPOSING WITH TECHNOLOGY II

Grade 9,10,11,12 (0.5 Credits)

Level: ES – 45E120

Continuing the work of music technology, students taking Creating and Composing with Technology I deepen their exploration of how technology is used in the creation of music. Advanced techniques explored will be composing for film and recording with microphones. Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in Music Technology: Creating & Composing with Technology I.

PIANO I

Grade 9,10,11,12 (0.5 Credits)

Level: ES-45E140

This introductory course is designed for students who wish to learn to play piano. Students will read treble and bass clef notation, scales, chords, and perform a variety of piano literature. Students taking the course a second time will build upon skills learned and study more challenging piano repertoire.

PIANO II

Grade 9,10,11,12 (0.5 Credits)

Level: ES-45E145

This course is a continuation of Piano I Students will build upon skills learned in Piano I and study more challenging piano repertoire. Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in Piano I.

PIANO III

Grade 10, 11, 12 (0.5 Credits)

Level: ES-45E240

This course is a continuation of Piano II. Students will build upon skills learned in Piano II and study more challenging piano repertoire. Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in Piano II.

PIANO IV

Grade 10, 11, 12 (0.5 Credits)

Level: ES- 45E245

This course is a continuation of Piano III. Students will build upon skills learned in Piano II and study more challenging piano repertoire. Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in Piano III.

GUITAR I

Grade 9,10,11,12 (0.5 Credits)

Level: ES-45E150

This introductory course is available to any student who wishes to learn to play the guitar. Students will learn to read music, basic music skills, and basic chordal accompaniments. In addition, students will learn to perform in a collaborative setting. Students taking the course a second time will build upon skills learned and will explore a wider variety of guitar repertoire. Students will study various styles of guitar playing, broaden their vocabulary of chords, and study more complex rhythms.

GUITAR II

Grade 9,10,11,12 (0.5 Credits)

Level: ES-45E155

This course is a continuation of Guitar I. Students will build upon skills learned in Guitar I and will explore a wider variety of guitar repertoire. Students will study various styles of guitar playing, broaden their vocabulary of chords, and study more complex rhythms. Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in Guitar I.

GUITAR III

Grade 10,11,12 (0.5 Credits)

Level: ES-45E250

This course is a continuation of Guitar II. Students will build upon skills learned in Guitar 2 and will explore a wider variety of guitar repertoire. Students will study various styles of guitar playing, broaden their vocabulary of chords, and study more complex rhythms. Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in Guitar II.

GUITAR IV

Grade 10,11,12 (0.5 Credits)

Level: ES-45E255

This course is a continuation of Guitar III. Students will build upon skills learned in Guitar 3 and will explore a wider variety of guitar repertoire. Students will study various styles of guitar playing, broaden their vocabulary of chords, and study more complex rhythms. Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in Guitar III.

MUSIC THEORY

Grade 9,10,11,12 (0.5 Credits)

Level: ES – 45E125

This course is the study of the building blocks of music and how they are applied to the creation, composition and arrangement of music. Students will study the notation of pitch and rhythm, the structure of scales and key signatures, intervals, chords, chord progressions and basic four part writing as well as basic ear training. This course is suggested for students with an interest in performing or composing music. Prerequisite: Students must have taken a prior music course or be able to demonstrate music reading fluency.

PEER ASSISTED MUSIC

Grade 9,10,11,12 (0.5 Credits)

Level: ES – 45E189

In this program co-teachers and peer teachers will work alongside students needing assistive music. This course will provide valuable teaching experiences to students interested in pursuing a career in teaching, music therapy, and any other health related field. Students should have an interest in actively engaging in music activities as a positive role model.

JAZZ BAND

Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

Level: ES-45E164 (0.5 Credits)

The Jazz ensemble is an extension of the concert band program. The group performs at school events, festivals and evening concerts. Special instructional attention is given to the study of various jazz styles including swing, funk, rock, and Latin music. This ensemble is comprised of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, piano, guitar, bass guitar, and drum set. Rehearsals take place outside of the school day. This course may be taken more than once. Prerequisite: Participation in Concert Band and a required audition.

THEATER (formerly Drama ES)

Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

Level: ES-45E190 (0.5 Credits)

Theater is a course designed for students interested in developing their acting skills. Students will learn basic theater principles in stage movement, voice, and diction. Students will develop their acting skills through individual and group presentations and performances, both scripted and improvised.

Popular Music aND dIVERSITY IN AMERICAN SOCIETY -EARLY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE (foran Only)

Grade 11, 12 (0.5 semester)

Level: 450300

An introduction to popular music and diversity in America: jazz, blues, Top-40, pop, rock, hip-hop, and other genres. Musicians and their music studied in the context of twentieth-century and contemporary American society, emphasizing issues of race, gender, class, and resistance. Course offered for UCONN ECE Credit. (3 credits)