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PERFORMING ARTS

PERFORMING Arts Courses

These courses allow a student to develop fine motor coordination, listening, language, research, social and expressive skills through music. Whether a student chooses one or all of the courses offered, he/she will be exposed to writing, listening, performing, and creating music of all genres. These courses satisfy the requirements for visual and performing arts credits.

MUSIC THEORY I

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

Prerequisite: None

Grades: 9-12

Music Theory I is an entry level course designed to deliver instruction of basic to intermediate elements of music. This will be accomplished through reading, writing, and analyzing music of all styles. No previous musical training is required to enroll in this course. Students also develop their ears through rhythmic dictation and interval identification. Successful completion of this course will help prepare students for the Music Theory II course.

MUSIC THEORY II

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

Prerequisite: Music Theory I or Teacher Recommendation

Grades: 9-12

Music Theory II is a second level course for students who have successfully completed Music Theory I or have received teacher approval for placement in this course. It is designed to deliver more advanced instruction of the elements of music. This will be accomplished through reading, writing and analyzing music of all styles. Students will gain valuable experience creating their own music using the Finale music software program. Successful completion of this course will help prepare the students for the Advanced Placement Music Theory course. Students who are enrolled in an Honors performing ensemble who have not taken Music Theory I may be eligible for Music Theory II with teacher’s recommendation.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT MUSIC THEORY

CREDITS: 5

(This course receives advanced placement weighting for the calculation of the GPA.)

Full Year

Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Music Theory course or by teacher recommendation

Grades: 10-12

This course is designed to introduce students to the elements of music through reading, writing, listening and analyzing music of all styles. An introduction to MIDI and Music Technology will also be included. Advanced Placement Music Theory provides an excellent foundation for the further study of music in college and the Advanced Placement exam.

MUSICAL THEATRE & VOCAL LITERATURE

CREDITS: 5

Full year

Prerequisite: None

Grades: 9-12

The Musical Theatre/Vocal Literature course is a year-long course of study designed to educate students in the history, practice, performance, and critique of musical theatre. Students will learn the fundamentals of audition, rehearsal, acting, and singing techniques and will develop strategies to combine these techniques to create a more professional piece or performance. Students who wish to study classical Vocal Literature will learn to apply these techniques to their solo literature. Students will explore the representation of character and emotion as well as the use of language and stage conventions as related to written and performed musical theatre/opera. Students will rehearse and perform solos, scenes, and ensemble songs and establish a positive environment in which to evaluate their own work as well as others’ work. Topics include audition techniques, setting up a book of repertoire, sense-memory and improvisational exercises, the study of combined acting and vocal technique, memorization, rehearsal, and performance of solos, musical songs, scenes and art songs, study of the history of musical theatre/classical literature, and the critique of professional actors and singers.

SYMPHONIC BAND

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

Prerequisite: Concert Band or teacher recommendation

Grades: 9-12

Symphonic Band is a full year course open to students possessing intermediate skills on woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Students who do not successfully audition into Wind Ensemble will be placed into this ensemble. Students will perform music at an intermediate to advanced level (Grades III-IV) with emphasis on developing musicality, technical ability, characteristic tone, and other essential skills. Students who take this course will be ready to audition for Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, and Regional Honor Ensembles.

PIANO I

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

Prerequisite: None

Grades: 9-12

This course provides group instruction for students at the beginning level. Students learn to read music and develop technical facility at the piano through preparation and performance of progressively difficult music. Keyboard ensemble activities provide additional opportunities for musical development. The course will cover piano technique, such as proper posture and hand positions, finger patterns and exercises, the reading of treble and bass clef, major and minor scale studies, and selected etudes. The full year course will also focus on the fundamentals of music theory and how they apply to keyboarding. Students will perform a variety of repertoire from classics, folk, and jazz. The course will include two piano recitals; both mid-year and end of the year.

PIANO II

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

Prerequisite: Piano I and Teacher Recommendation

Grades: 9-12

This course provides group instruction for students who are second-year advancing beginners. Students continue to learn to read music and develop technical facility at the piano through preparation and performance of progressively difficult music. Keyboard ensemble activities provide additional opportunities for musical development. The course will cover piano technique, such as proper posture and hand positions, finger patterns and exercises, the reading of treble and bass clef, major and minor scale studies, and selected etudes appropriate for the second-year pianist. The full year course will continue to focus on the fundamentals of music theory and how they apply to keyboarding. Students will perform a variety of repertoire from classics, folk, and jazz. The class will provide performance opportunities both in and outside the classroom.

PIANO III

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

Prerequisite: Piano II or Audition

Grades:10-12

This course provides group instruction for students who are entering the third year of their piano instruction. Students can elect to take this course even if they have previously studied piano with a private teacher, provided they have permission from the course instructor prior to signing up for the course (by audition). Students continue to learn to read music and develop technical facility at the piano through preparation and performance of progressively difficult music. The addition of four-hand pieces provides opportunity for more complex musical development. The course will emphasize finger patterns and exercises, minor scale studies, chord progressions/interval study, and selected etudes appropriate for the third-year pianist. This full year course will focus on more advanced concepts in music theory and how they apply to keyboarding. Students will perform a variety of repertoire from classical to jazz. The class will provide performance opportunities both in and outside the classroom.

WIND ENSEMBLE (HONORS)

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

Prerequisite: Audition

Grades: 9-12

The Wind Ensemble is a full year course designed for woodwind, brass and percussion students with advanced technical abilities who wish to broaden their musical knowledge and improve their performance level. Placement into the Wind Ensemble is based upon blind auditions which occur prior to scheduling. The Wind Ensemble studies and performs music on an advanced level (Grades IV and V) with emphasis on developing musical maturity appropriate to advanced high school literature. Advanced students are encouraged to audition for the Region II and All State Bands. Performances may include, but are not limited to school concerts and other local festivals.

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

Prerequisite: Audition

Grades: 9-12

The Percussion Ensemble course is a performance-based elective at Monroe Township High School. The MTHS Percussion Ensemble is an audition-based group which covers all percussion instruments. The expectation for this course is an audition and knowledge of all percussion instruments at a high school level. This course fully optimizes our district’s vertical teaching model, allowing all percussion resources to be put into place to ensure personalized attention for each percussion student to reach their highest potential. Content delivery emphasizes and encourages a pathway to proficiency. Topics addressed will include essential musical concepts, such as: scales and sight-reading, ear training, and ensemble development techniques (listening, blending, and balance skills). Percussion specific concepts will include technical and musical proficiency on all percussion instruments including snare drum, keyboards, timpani, and auxiliary instruments. Students are encouraged to participate in auditions and events through CJMEA and NJMEA. Students that complete this course will develop the skills to eventually be able to audition for our Honors Level Percussion Ensemble Course.

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE (HONORS)

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

Prerequisite: Audition

Grades: 9-12

The Honors Percussion Ensemble course is a performance-based elective at Monroe Township High School. The MTHS Honors Percussion Ensemble is an auditioned based group and is a comprehensive course of the most advanced level. The pre-requisite for this course is an audition and knowledge of all percussion instruments at an advanced high school level. This course fully optimizes our Vertical Teaching Model, allowing all percussion resources to be put into place to ensure personalized attention for each percussion student to reach their highest potential. Content delivery emphasizes and encourages an accelerated pathway to proficiency. Topics addressed will include essential musical concepts, such as: scales and sight-reading, ear training, and ensemble development techniques (listening, blending, and balance skills). Percussion specific concepts will include technical and musical proficiency on all percussion instruments including snare drum, keyboards, timpani, and auxiliary instruments. Students are encouraged to audition / participate-in Regional and All State band and percussion ensembles through CJMEA/NJMEA, and beyond. In addition, students will have the opportunity to audition for the MTHS Jazz Ensemble and other select MTHS groups involving percussion. The Honors Percussion Ensemble will take part in adjudicated festivals and competitions throughout the year sponsored by local high schools and colleges, NJMEA/CJMEA, NAfME, and NJ-PAS as well as perform at all MTHS instrumental music concerts. Additional rehearsals may be necessary outside of the school day if needed .Additional rehearsals may be necessary outside of the school day if needed.

MIXED CHORUS

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

Prerequisite: None

Grades: 10-12

Mixed Chorus is a class open to all students in grades 10, 11, and 12. The class emphasizes the singing of choral music written for four or more vocal parts. A broad spectrum of choral literature which stresses vocal development, sight-singing and choral ensemble technique is studied. Students will learn music terminology and notation. Students are required to perform in the Winter and Spring concerts and accept the performance and rehearsal calendar as a condition of participation in the course.

FRESHMAN CHORUS

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

Prerequisite: None

Grade: 9

Freshman Chorus is an entry level course open to all students in grade 9. This class stresses vocal development, sight-singing and choral ensemble technique. Students study the nature and placement of the voice in the choral setting. Students will learn music terminology and notation. A broad spectrum of choral literature is studied and performed. Students accept the performance calendar as a condition of participation and as part of the course requirement. Students at an advanced level within the course are encouraged to audition and participate in Region and All-State performing ensembles.

TREBLE CHORUS (HONORS)

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

Prerequisite: Audition Only

Grades: 10-12

Treble Chorus is an honors weighted ensemble. This program is offered to meet the needs of an increased talented Soprano and Alto population. The singing of complex choral music written for treble voices in three, four, or more parts are emphasized. It is by audition only for treble voices in grades 10, 11, and 12. This course stresses vocal development, sight-singing, and choral ensemble technique. Students will continue to learn music notation and terminology. Students study the nature and placement of the voice in the choral setting. A broad spectrum of choral literature is studied and performed. Students are encouraged to audition and participate in Region, All-State, and All-Eastern performing ensembles. Students accept the performance calendar as a condition of participation and as part of the course requirement.

CONCERT CHOIR (HONORS)

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

Prerequisite: Audition Only

Grades: 10-12

Concert Choir is an honors weighted ensemble. It is comprised of soprano/alto/tenor/bass voices. It is by audition only for students in grades 10, 11, and 12. This course stresses vocal development, sight-singing and choral ensemble technique. Students study the nature and placement of the voice in the choral setting. Students will learn music terminology and notation. A broad spectrum of advanced choral literature including selections using mixed meter are studied and performed. Students are encouraged to audition and participate in Region, All-State and All-Eastern performing ensembles. Students accept the performance calendar as a condition of participation and as part of the course requirement.

HISTORY OF POPULAR MUSIC

Credits: 5

Full Year

Prerequisite: None

Grades: 9-12

This course examines the historical significance of popular music in the United States from the late nineteenth century to the present.

No musical training is necessary to enroll in the course, however we will think about how to analyze music as a dynamic historical force, examining it not only as text, but also in its embedded contexts: the cultural, social, political, and economic dimensions of genres ranging from Tin Pan Alley to blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, country, folk, soul, rock, disco, hip-hop, and classical music. Working toward a set of overarching themes, we will explore popular music as an art form, a business, a medium for shaping identity and making meaning, an entity encompassing both conflict and consensus, a local, national, and global phenomenon, and a key area in the life of Americans.

EXPLORATION OF MUSIC

Credits: 5

Full Year

Prerequisite: None

Grades: 9-12

This course is designed around the Elements of Music - rhythm, pitch, form, dynamics, tempo, timbre. Students will have the opportunity to perform, both through classroom exercises and formal concerts, using their voices as well as various percussive and pitched instruments. In addition to reading and performing music, students will learn how to analyze, discuss, and compose as well. The Unified: Music Curriculum is centered around the learning goals provided in the NJ: 2014 SLS Visual/Performing Arts Standards and the NCCAS Music Standards.

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