Music Program

MUSIC PROGRAM

The Music Department offers courses designed for the musical and aesthetic education of students with varying abilities and interests.  These classes include the performing ensembles of Concert Band, String Orchestra, Chorus, and Jazz Ensemble, which aim to increase proficiency on a musical instrument or with the singing voice while developing the musical knowledge and skills essential for quality performance in a musical organization. Also, through rehearsals and concerts, students develop an appreciation of music as a vehicle for expression, learn to recognize the value of disciplined collaboration, and to take pleasure from the resulting experience. An extensive extra-curricular program offers additional small-group performance experiences as well as opportunities to participate in music festivals sponsored by Massachusetts Music Educators Association, and the SouthEastern Massachusetts School Bandmasters Association.


Additional, non-performing course offerings provide students an opportunity to study music theory, songwriting, ear training, music history, and piano, drumming, and guitar methods.  While a number of these classes further develop musicianship skills or provide an introduction to reading music and playing an instrument, others do not require students to be musical performers but rather to become educated audience members and evaluators.

Honors Credit for MHS Ensemble Classes

Students who opt to take Band, Chorus, Strings or Jazz for Honors credit will complete the work required of the unleveled class PLUS an independent project each term.


Independent projects can include:

Additional proposals not listed above may be submitted for approval by the ensemble director.


Course Listings:

MUSIC PROGRAM COURSE SEQUENCE 

Grade 9

Piano Lab

Chorus

Concert Band

String Orchestra

Jazz Ensemble

Modern Band 1/2

Grade 10

Piano Lab

Honors Music Theory

Chorus

Concert Band

String Orchestra

Jazz Ensemble

Modern Band 1/2

Grade 11

Honors Music Theory

Chorus

Concert Band

String Orchestra

Jazz Ensemble 

Modern Band 1/2

Grade 12

AP Music Theory

Chorus

Concert Band

String Orchestra

Jazz Ensemble

Modern Band 1/2

Recommended courses for all students (can be taken any year)

Piano Lab, Modern Band 1/2, Guitar, Music Studio, The Blues to the Beatles and Beyond

Recommended courses for all students (can be taken any year)

Grades 9-12 Piano Lab, Music Studio, Rock and Jazz Experience, Modern Band 1/2, and Guitar