(1978)                         0.5 credit

Semester  🎙️ 🎨  📚                                                Sample Syllabus

Music Production & Engineering is designed for the student who is interested in music, but may not play an instrument. This class will spend much of the time exploring the newest forms of digital sound recording and manipulation on the computer through a process called sequencing.  Students will research on-line resources and work from sound programs such as Audacity, Soundation, and Mixcraft to create music without performing on traditional instruments. Students will be creating their own songs from the computer as well as arranging well-known popular, jazz, classical, and folk songs. In addition to audio digital recording students will learn sound production and engineering for school events, concerts and drama productions.

Prerequisite: Playing an instrument or the ability to read music is NOT necessary for the course, but is beneficial. Students may receive credit from Rhode Island College’s Early Enrollment Program.

(1979)                   0.5 credit

Semester  🎙️ 🎨                                                     Sample Syllabus

This course is designed for students who have successfully completed the Music Production and Engineering I class. Concepts taught in a level one course will be reinforced through more rigorous coursework. Students will work on advanced topics and create projects in the area of music creation, recording, and producing. Students who take this course will learn to create Podcasts, commercials, sound effects, and mash-ups.  An emphasis will be made on composing music for various elements in film music, such as creating moods, melodies for characters, and short films, including movie trailer music. Students will gain a deeper understanding of many aspects of contemporary music, including, beats, harmony, bass lines, grooves, melodies, synthesis, audio/MIDI editing, effects processing, sound design, performance, and mixing.

Prerequisite: Students must successfully complete Music Production and Engineering Level I

(####)                   0.5 credit

Semester  🎙️ 🎨  🎓                                        Sample Syllabus            

This course is designed for students who have successfully completed the Music Production I and 2 class. Concepts taught in the level 1 and 2 course will be reinforced through more advanced coursework. Students will work on advanced topics and create projects in the area of music creation, recording, and producing. Students who take this course will learn what equipment, techniques, and microphones to use when recording live audio. The emphasis will be live recording and mastering.

Students will learn fundamental recording techniques for ensembles of different sizes.  

Units of study to include:

1. Acoustics

2. Microphone Types

3. Microphone placement for live sound recording

4. Live recording effects and techniques

5. Music Restoration

6. Mastering live recordings

7. Studio Production, recording, and mixing of final recordings

All Units are designed to incorporate student learning within the 4 Anchor Standards of the State/National Core Arts Standards in Music of Creating, Performing, Responding and Connecting. 

Prerequisite: Students must successfully complete Music Production and Engineering Level I and Level II

(1960)                       0.5 credit

Semester  🎨                                                               Sample Syllabus

This course explores music through the discipline of guitar playing.  The students will gain a basic knowledge of proper playing habits, basic chord progressions and note reading. Basic music composition will be introduced through the use of free online composition tools. No previous knowledge of the guitar is necessary. 

(1961)                   0.5 credit

Semester  🎨                                                             Sample Syllabus

This course explores music through the discipline of piano playing and reading music notation.  Basic music composition will be introduced through the use of free online composition tools. The student will gain a basic knowledge of keyboard structure, playing songs in a successive progression of difficulty.  Emphasis is on reading notation and playing simple melodies with basic chord progressions.  No previous knowledge of piano is necessary.

(1963)                 1 credit

Full Year  🎨                                                             Sample Syllabus

This course is open to singers of any ability. Emphasis is placed on the improvement of vocal skills, music literacy, and performance through the use of part-singing. The chorus presents several concerts each year that include classical, popular, and contemporary literature. All performances are mandatory. New members are required to have a placement audition for voice part assignment.

(1964)                 1 credit

Full Year  🎨                                                               Sample Syllabus

This is a select group of singers interested in performing challenging SSA literature from all periods and styles.  Emphasis is placed on music literacy and performance. Members of the Vocal Ensemble join the concert chorus for all major concerts.  In addition, they perform several times a year in the community.

Requirement: Open to 10th- 12th grade students by audition and with teacher approval for voice part placement.

(1966)                 1 credit

Full Year  🎨                                                         Sample Syllabus

The Select Choir is a performing ensemble for men and women (SATB).  The choir performs challenging literature from all periods and styles of vocal music with an emphasis on a Capella singing.  The focus of the course is to develop music literacy through singing. Students in Concert Choir join the Select Chorus for all major performances. All performances are mandatory. 

Requirement: Successful completion of at least one year of high school chorus.

(1970)                 1 credit

Full Year  🎨                                                    Sample Syllabus      

This course is open to students in grades 9th through 12th. Band literature at a medium level will be studied and performed. Emphasis is placed on musicianship and the development of music fundamentals. Performances include football games, parades, school concerts, festivals, and any other functions at which the band is asked to perform. Course requirements will include after school rehearsals, attendance at regular classes, a week of band camp (usually the last week in August), and participation in the marching band.

Note: Members of this group and the wind ensemble will be combined for marching band.

(1971)                   1 credit

Full Year  🎨                                                         Sample Syllabus

Band literature at a medium to advanced level will be studied and performed.  Emphasis is placed on musicianship and working together to produce a well balanced sound.  Performances include football games, parades, school concerts, festivals, and any other functions at which the band is asked to perform.  Course requirements include: after-school rehearsals, attendance at regular classes, a week of band camp (usually last week in August), and participation in the marching band.  Note: Members of this group and the symphonic band will be combined for marching band.

Recommendation:  Open to students in grade 10, 11, and 12 by audition and with teacher approval.

(1972)                 1 credit

Full Year  🎨  📚                                            Sample Syllabus              

AP Music Theory is an introductory college-level music theory course. Students cultivate their understanding of music theory through analyzing performed and notated music as they explore concepts like pitch, rhythm, form, and musical design.  This course is designed to develop musical skills that will lead to a thorough understanding of music composition and music theory.  Students will be engaged in a variety of musical exercises including, rhythm & melody dictations, playing piano, composing, analyzing, and sight singing.  Students are prepared to take the AP® Music Theory Exam when they have completed the course.

Recommendation: Permission from instructor. 

(1977)                   0.5 credit

Semester  🎨                                                     Sample Syllabus

The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll is a semester based elective.  It is an in-depth study of the origins of popular music in the 20th century and the social and historical context that gave birth to Rock and Roll and related genres and musical offshoots.  From blues and country to punk and heavy metal, students will familiarize themselves with landmark groups, music and movements of different periods, to explore connections between modern music and the artists who have made an impact socially and musically to popular music today.  The goal of this course is to help students understand the music that they are listening to: where it comes from, what it is made of, and where it is going.  Listening and video examples will be analyzed to uncover the makeup of the music.  Students will discuss how Rock and Roll has influenced other cultures and even how other cultures have influenced the development of Rock and Roll.