Salem County Academy of Vocal Music at PMHS* - Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the program by the Salem County Career & Technical High School
Duration: 400 minutes/week
Credits: 10
This Academy program is designed for the serious musician who intends to pursue further education and a possible career in vocal music. Students must already be able to sing at a competent level and exhibit on-the-job work ethics including a conscientious attitude and self motivation.
ADVANCED MUSIC PROGRAM
Participants will receive advanced level instruction in voice and in instrumental music. Also, they will participate in classes that provide experience in music theory, music technology, advanced music reading, advanced music writing, and vocal ensemble performance. This experience may include solos as well as ensemble work. As part of a performance media, students must participate in mandatory performances that sometimes take place outside of school time. An application for acceptance into this program must be submitted to the Salem County Career & Technical High School. The application process includes an audition. Students must sign up for a choir and Advanced Music which combine to create the double period major.
PLEASE NOTE:
* Students must earn a 78% or higher in Advanced Music courses and earn an overall GPA of 78% or better at the end of the freshman, sophomore and junior year in order to remain in the Academy.
**********
Advanced Music I* - Grade Level: 9-11
Prerequisite: Acceptance into Music Academy
Duration: 200 minutes/week
Credits: 5
This course is for students who have demonstrated exceptional ability in music. It represents a natural progression from the Advanced Music class in the middle school. It is also a first level course for the Music Academies. The course focuses upon advanced concepts of music reading, writing and listening. Students will experience beginning levels of music dictation, ear training, sight singing and music technology. Besides becoming very familiar with both bass and treble clefs, students will practice elementary keyboard, work with all fifteen major key signatures, fifteen minor scales in their three forms, various chords, simple and compound rhythms, major/minor/diminished and augmented intervals and triads. This course contains advanced content, utilizes college-level materials, and is accelerated.
Advanced Music II* - Grade Level: 10-12
Prerequisite: a. Successful completion of Advanced Music I with a minimum final average of 78%; b. Acceptance into Music Academy
Duration: 200 minutes/week
Credits: 5
This course is for students who have demonstrated exceptional ability in music. It represents a natural progression from Advanced Music I. The primary focus is upon the study of music theory – chords and ways composers write from one chord to another. Students will study music written by the masters of composition and write their own chord progressions following traditional practices. Students will also improve their music keyboard skills, dictation, sight singing and ear training. This course is highly recommended for anyone planning to major in music at the college level. This course contains advanced content, utilizes college-level materials, and is accelerated.
Advanced Music IV Composition - Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: a. Successful completion of Advanced Music III or AP Music Theory with a minimum final average of 78%; b. Continuation into a Music Academy
Duration: 200 minutes/week
Credits: 5
This course is for students who have demonstrated exceptional ability in music and have successfully completed Advanced Music I, II and III. The primary focus at this level is upon use of knowledge and skills learned in levels I through II as they use elementary music theory to arrange and compose their own music. In addition, students will study music history, conducting, sight singing and musical form (the outline of a musical composition). Students will continue to improve their abilities with music dictation, ear training, and music technology. This course contains advanced content, utilizes college-level materials, and is accelerated.
AP Music Theory* - Grade Level: 11 - 12
Prerequisite: a. Successful completion of Advanced Music II with a minimum final average of 92%; b. Recommendation of the Related Arts Supervisor or continuation into a Music Academy
Duration: 200 minutes/week
Credits: 5 Weighted Course
This course is for students who have demonstrated exceptional ability in music and have successfully completed Advanced Music I and II. The main emphasis here is upon advanced study of music theory. Students will learn to recognize and use a larger variety of chords in their music writing including seventh chords; the submediant and mediant triads; secondary dominants; and elementary modulation. In addition, further study will be included in music dictation, ear training and music technology. At this level, students will prepare themselves for entrance tests to music colleges. The possibility exists (with application and talent during the four years of Advanced Music) for students to test out of beginning level courses at some colleges. This course contains advanced content, utilizes college-level materials, and is accelerated.
Students will be required to sit for the AP exam at the end of the year.