Music Program

MUSIC PROGRAM

NJ Student Learning Standards

STANDARD 1.1 (Aesthetics) - All students will use aesthetic knowledge in the creation of an in response to dance, music, theater, and visual art.

STANDARD 1.2 (Creation and Performance) - All students will utilize those skills, media, methods, and technologies appropriate to each art form in the creation, performance, and presentation of dance, music, theater, and visual art.

STANDARD 1.3 (Elements and Principles) - All students will demonstrate an understanding of the elements and principles of dance, music, theater, and visual art.

STANDARD 1.4 (Critique) - All students will develop, apply and reflect upon knowledge of the process of critique.

STANDARD 1.5 (History/Culture) - All students will understand and analyze the role, development, and continuing influence of the arts in relation to world cultures, history, and society.

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PLEASE NOTE:

· Students MUST successfully complete one year of Music or Art in order to fulfill graduation requirements.

Course Offerings

Introduction to Guitar – Grade Level: 9-12

Prerequisite: None

Duration: 200 minutes/week (Semester class) Credits: 2.5

Description: Introduction to Guitar offers 9th through 12th grade students the opportunity to study guitar in a group setting. Students will need to provide their own guitar and strings. The majority of the instruction will be in popular forms of music including Rock and Roll and learning to play traditional fingerstyle guitar. This introductory course includes music reading, basic guitar technique, and small ensemble work. Students enrolled in this class will perform either solo, part of a duet, or in a small ensemble for the guitar night concert towards the end of the course.

Music Tech - Grade Level: 9-12

Prerequisite: None

Duration: 200 minutes/week (Semester class) Credits 2.5

Description: Music Technology will introduce students to the uses, concepts, techniques, and terminology of computing through music applications. Students will gain experience with current hardware and software for music sequencing, synthesis, and music performance practice. This course is also designed as an introduction to basic music fundamentals, notation, and theory through music technology such as MIDI and digital recording. Students will learn basic business practices used in the music industry. A class music album will be created as part of final product for the course. Teacher will provide one copy to each student.

Concert Band - Grade Level: 9-12

Prerequisite: Play band instrument

Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5

This course is open to all students who have previously acquired some proficiency with a wind or percussion instrument. Students continue to develop skills and understandings initiated in the middle school band program. In addition, they expand their understanding and performance of band music; familiarize themselves with a variety of musical styles found in standard band music; and learn and use new musical terms. Several required concerts are presented during the school year. Final admission is at the discretion of the director. This course can be taken each year of high school.

Orchestra - Grade Level: 9-12

Prerequisite: Play orchestral stringed instrument

Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5

This musical organization is open to all students who have acquired at least an intermediate level of proficiency for playing an orchestral stringed instrument. Every effort is made to acquaint members of the orchestra with a variety of musical styles and periods. Several required concerts are presented during the school year. Final admission is at the discretion of the director. This course can be taken each year of high school.

Concert Choir - Grade Level: 9-12

Prerequisite: None

Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5

The high school choir is composed of pupils who have shown an ability to read music and to carry an individual vocal part. The participants should already have a basic knowledge of vocal techniques, and a genuine desire to sing and be an active participant in such an organization. Each year the choir prepares a repertoire which includes many styles and types of music, representative of the various periods of music history. Some vocal selections are rendered in the original language of the composition. Final admission is at the discretion of the director. Several required performances are presented during the school year. This course can be taken each year of high school.

Extra-Curricular and Zero Period Music Offerings - Grade Level 9-12

Prerequisite: None

Duration: 1 to 3 times per week depending on ensemble

Credits: Pass/Fail

Extra-curricular and zero periods will be offered through our music program. These ensembles are based each year on enrollment and interest of students. Some ensembles are by teacher recommendation and audition. See the music ensemble teachers for more information.

Vocal Ensembles String Ensembles Band Ensembles

Salem County Academy of Instrumental 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 career in music. It is limited to those whose major instrument is included in the band or orchestra. Students must already know how to play the instrument at an advanced level. Students must exhibit on-the-job work ethics including a conscientious attitude and self-motivation.

Participants will receive advanced level instruction on their major instrument. Also, they will participate in music theory, music technology, advanced music reading, advanced music writing, and ensemble playing. As part of a performance media, students must participate in mandatory performances that sometimes take place outside of school time. This experience will include solo as well as ensemble work. 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 major ensemble (Concert Band or Orchestra) and Advanced Music which combine to create the double period major.

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: N/A

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.