Music

Band 1 is the high school instrumental music class for freshman and sophomores.  Students will learn small and large group ensemble skills. Band 1 performs at the Fall, Winter, and Spring Concerts, at the Old Saybrook Band Day in February, the Memorial Day parade, and at graduation as part of the graduation band.  Students enrolled in both Band 1 and Chorus 1 are subject to a half hour per week practice requirement. 

*Band 1 may be taken for honors credit. Honors Band students will study solo performance in addition to their ensemble studies, and must take at least one audition during the course of the school year.

Band 2 is the high school instrumental class for juniors and seniors. Students will learn advanced chamber and wind band performance skills.  Band 2 performs at the Fall, Winter, and Spring Concerts, at Old Saybrook Band Day, Veteran’s Day morning, the Memorial Day parade, and at graduation as part of the graduation band. Students enrolled in both Band 2 and Chorus 2 are subject to a half hour per week practice requirement. 

*Band 2 may be taken for honors credit. Honors Band students will study solo performance in addition to their ensemble studies, and must take at least one audition during the course of the school year.

Basso Choir is an auditioned, medium sized TTB choral ensemble for advanced lower pitched voices in grades 9-12. Focus will be put on the advanced understanding of music symbols and terms, elements of music, choral techniques and performance. Basso Choir performs a variety of music from pre-renaissance to 20th century. Auditions are held at the end of the academic year for the following academic year. To be considered for membership, students must also be enrolled in a large choral ensemble during the regular school day. 

Chamber Singers is an auditioned, medium sized SATB choral ensemble for advanced singers in grades 9-12. Focus is put on advanced understanding of music symbols and terms, elements of music, choral techniques and performance. Chamber Singers perform a variety of music from pre-renaissance to 20th century. Auditions are held at the end of each academic year for the following academic year. If students wish to be considered for an auditioned group, they must also be enrolled in a large choral ensemble during the school day.

This course provides training in choral music preparation and presentation for students in grades 9 and 10.  Instructions in basic music literacy will be explored and is essential for students on this course. Participation in the choral program includes opportunities to develop vocal knowledge and skill in voice classes, preparation for solos and performance in small ensembles such as Chamber Singers, Treble Choir, and Basso Chorus which will meet before the school day as a zero-hour class at 7:15 am. Participation in the smaller ensembles is by audition.

Many students in the Chorus are involved in the All State, All New England, Shorelines and Southern Region music festivals.  The Chorus participates in combined exchange concert programs with other schools sometimes involving large choral works with orchestral accompaniment.  All students are welcome in the choral program.  Students are expected to take part in each performance. 

*Chorus 1 may be taken for honors credit. Honors Chorus students will study solo performance in addition to their ensemble studies, and must take at least one audition during the course of the school year.

This course provides training in choral music preparation and presentation at a more advanced level for students in grades 11 and 12.  Students will be expected to apply their understanding of theory (note and rhythm reading) to a variety of musical repertoires throughout this course.  As with Chorus 1, participation in the choral program includes opportunities to develop vocal knowledge and skill in voice classes, preparation for solos and performance in small ensembles such as Chamber Singers, Treble Choir, and Basso Chorus which will meet before the school day as a 0-hour class at 6:45am. Participation in the smaller ensembles is by audition.

Many students in the Chorus are involved in the All State, All New England, Shorelines and Southern Region music festivals.  The Chorus participates in combined exchange concert programs with other schools sometimes involving large choral works with orchestral accompaniment.  All students are welcome in the choral program.  Students are expected to take part in each performance. 

*Chorus 2 may be taken for honors credit. Honors Chorus students will study solo performance in addition to their ensemble studies, and must take at least one audition during the course of the school year.

The Clarinet Choir rehearses twice weekly during “zero hour” (7:15 am). This group of advanced instrumentalists will study more demanding music literature and will perform at small group concerts throughout the school year. Clarinet Choir is open to clarinetists only by audition.

The Flute Choir rehearses twice weekly during “zero hour” (7:15 am). This group of advanced instrumentalists will study more demanding music literature and will perform at small group concerts throughout the school year. Flute Choir is open to flutists only by audition.

The Jazz Bands meet during “zero hour” (7:15 am).  The big band, a standard 18-piece orchestra, will study American jazz literature, and will perform at a variety of events throughout the year.  The combos, two smaller groups, will focus on the study of jazz theory and improvisation, and will also have numerous performance opportunities throughout the year.

This class will study the techniques of modern computer-based music.  Topics will include drum machine and synthesizer sequencing, the design and creation of electronic instruments (incorporating such techniques as touch pads and sonar), and film scoring.

This course will take place during the second semester.  The sound reinforcement class is NOT a prerequisite.  This course is open to grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 with preference given to juniors and seniors.  The study of MIDI requires math skills.

This music course is designed for students to independently study any aspect of music that interests them. Students can begin to learn a traditional band instrument, study advanced solo repertoire on their current instrument or voice, prepare for auditions, do advanced work in the recording studio (after MIDI class), or any other music related project. Students will work with the instructor to set goals and appropriate timelines for projects. Open to students who have never studied music before.

The Sound Reinforcement & Recording course is intended to give students a basic understanding of two major applications of technology in music: live sound reinforcement and analog and digital recording.  Students will be able to design and implement amplification systems for live shows.  Students will produce and record several recordings of popular songs.  The first unit will involve the study of acoustics, the science of sound.

This course is one semester in length and is open to grades 10, 11 and 12 with preference given to juniors and seniors.

Treble Choir is an auditioned, medium sized SSA choral ensemble for advanced treble voices in grades 9-12. Focus will be put on the advanced understanding of music symbols and terms, elements of music, choral techniques and performance. Treble Choir performs a variety of music from pre-renaissance to 20th century. Auditions are held at the end of the academic year for the following academic year. To be considered for membership, students must also be enrolled in a large choral ensemble during the regular school day.

This course is a general survey course in music and is designed to provide the student with a broad background in the history, language and development of music from medieval times to the present day.  Students who are accepted to the UConn ECE program who earn a grade of C or better in this class will receive 3 credit hours in ECE Music Appreciation 1001.

UConn Early College Experience (ECE) provides academically motivated students with the opportunity to take university courses while still in high school.  These challenging courses allow students to preview college work, build confidence in their readiness for college, and earn college credits that provide both an academic and financial head start on a college degree.

UConn ECE instructors, who are high school teachers certified as adjunct professors by UConn faculty, create a classroom environment fostering independent learning, creativity and critical thinking – all pivotal for success in college.  To support rigorous learning, University of Connecticut library resources are available to all UConn ECE students.  UConn ECE students must successfully complete the course with a grade of C or above in order to receive University credit.  University credits are highly transferable to other colleges and universities.

Students are charged a $125 course fee payable to the University of Connecticut.  For additional program information visit: www.ece.uconn.edu.

This course is open to all students involved in the music department who wish to expand their knowledge of western music and the theory behind why it sounds the way that it does. It will be offered as a first semester course.

Students who are accepted to the UConn ECE program and who earn a grade of C or better in this class will receive 3 credit hours in ECE Music Theory 1011.

UConn Early College Experience (ECE) provides academically motivated students with the opportunity to take university courses while still in high school.  These challenging courses allow students to preview college work, build confidence in their readiness for college, and earn college credits that provide both an academic and a financial head start on a college degree.

UConn ECE instructors, who are high school teachers certified as adjunct professors by UConn faculty, create a classroom environment fostering independent learning, creativity and critical thinking – all pivotal for success in college.  To support rigorous learning, University of Connecticut library resources are available to all UConn ECE students.  UConn ECE students must successfully complete the course with a grade of C or above to receive University credit.  University credits are highly transferable to other colleges and universities.

Students are charged a $125 course fee payable to the University of CT. For additional program information visit: www.ece.uconn.edu.

UConn Music Theory 2 will be offered as a second semester course, to be taken following UConn Music Theory 1.

This is a rigorous course in the fundamentals of general musicianship: reading music, writing music, ear training, sight singing, and auralization.  Focus is on the harmonic and voice-leading practices of J.S. Bach.  In addition, music from many time periods and styles will be studied, including American traditional and jazz styles.  Students will complete multiple music composition projects as well as a basic unit on conducting.

Students who are accepted to the UConn ECE program and who earn a grade of C or better in this class will receive 3 credit hours in ECE Music Theory 1012.

UConn Early College Experience (ECE) provides academically motivated students with the opportunity to take university courses while still in high school.  These challenging courses allow students to preview college work, build confidence in their readiness for college, and earn college credits that provide both an academic and a financial head-start on a college degree.

UConn ECE instructors, who are high school teachers certified as adjunct professors by UConn faculty, create a classroom environment fostering independent learning, creativity and critical thinking – all pivotal for success in college.  To support rigorous learning, University of Connecticut library resources are available to all UConn ECE students.  UConn ECE students must successfully complete the course with a grade of C or above to receive University credit.  University credits are highly transferable to other colleges and universities.

Students are charged a $125 course fee payable to the University of CT. For additional program information visit: www.ece.uconn.edu.