Instrumental Music
CONCERT BAND
Grades 9 - 12
MU50 - 1 Elective Credit - Full Year
Prerequisite: Prior scholastic instrumental experience or director’s approval.
This is a full-credit course for experienced brass and woodwind players. Band music spanning the past 400 years will be experienced and performed. Students will hone their performance skills through the practice and rehearsal of contemporary band literature. Students will learn the background of composers, musicians as well as the genre and performance techniques of various musical selections throughout the year. In addition, students will learn the importance of democracy, teamwork and leadership. Four evening concerts per year are generally performed. Home practice is required for this course.
CONCERT BAND / HONORS
MU51 - 1 Elective Credit - Full Year
Prerequisite: Successful audition similar to those of area music festivals and prior scholastic experience or Director’s approval.
In addition to the requirements for Concert Band, Honors students selected for honors level must meet additional requirements including but not limited to: weekly private lessons on their instrument, auditions for All Cape and Islands Music Festival, and those at the district level. Students in this course will be expected to demonstrate leadership roles in the larger ensemble.
JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Grades 9 - 12
MU67 - 1 Elective Credit - Full Year
Prerequisite: Successful audition to the ensemble
Enrollment in this class is by audition only. The First Encounter Jazz Ensemble is a highly respected performance ensemble at Nauset High school. Students in this course study jazz literature from the last century. Styles include: swing, be-bop, funk and rock. Students in this class are expected to practice outside of the school day. Many students take private instrumental lessons outside the school day. Improvisation skills, performance techniques and ensemble playing are emphasized. Students in this group are required to participate in concerts (many nights and weekend events) throughout the year as well as participation in other outside ensembles. This course may be repeated for credit.
JAZZ ENSEMBLE / HONORS
MU81 - 1 Elective Credit - Full Year
Prerequisite: Audition in which student demonstrates playing ability in many styles of music.
In addition to meeting the requirements for Jazz Ensemble (MU67), students enrolled in Honors Jazz Band must complete a series of additional requirements including, but not limited to: weekly private lessons, auditioning/participation in All Cape Jazz, Senior District Jazz and MAJE. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in monthly recitals and performances. This course may be repeated for credit.
ORCHESTRA
Grades 9 - 12
MU58 - 1 Elective Credit - Full Year
Orchestra is a full year full credit course for players of stringed instruments (violin, viola, cello and bass). Literature is drawn from various styles and genre written for stringed orchestra. Requirements include home practice, written assignments and projects. In addition, students are required to attend and perform in concerts and performances throughout the year. Many of these are night and weekend commitments. Students enrolled in this ensemble may choose to audition for outside ensembles as well. To include: All Cape and Islands Music Festival, as well as District and State music festivals. This course may be repeated for credit.
ORCHESTRA / HONORS
MU71 - 1 Elective Credit - Full Year
Students accepted into Honors Orchestra must meet the requirements of Orchestra (MU58) plus a series of additional requirements that include: solo and ensemble recitals, community performances, regional competitive festival auditions (District and All-Cape), and leadership positions in Orchestra.
This course may be repeated for credit.
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
Grades 9 - 12
MU50P – 1 Elective Credit - Full Year
Prerequisite: Prior scholastic experience or Director’s approval.
This is a full year course for experienced percussion students. Music written for percussion ensembles as well as concert band and orchestral percussion parts will be studied and performed.
Students will develop their performance abilities and techniques on a wide range of musical instruments, including, but not limited to: snare and bass drum, timpani, mallets, and cymbals. Students will also learn the background of composers, musicians, and musical pieces through out the year. Students in this ensemble also function as the drum line for the band program.
Students in this course are expected to practice at home and perform at several night concerts throughout the year.
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE / HONORS
Grades 9 - 12
MU50PH – 1 Elective Credit - Full Year
Prerequisite: Prior scholastic experience or Director’s approval.