Music

Classes offered at various grade levels may require a prerequisite. Refer to the course catalog for detailed information. 

MU111 MUSIC THEORY 1 (Grades 10-12)     

Weight 1.1 Credit 0.5/semester

Course Description: Music Theory 1 is offered as a one semester elective course open to any student grades 10 - 12 who wish to increase their knowledge of fundamental music theory.  Music Theory 1 focuses on both the theoretical and aural areas of music.  Students must have a strong background in the fundamentals of music and should currently be an active musician in or out of school. 

General Aim: Music Theory 1 seeks to equip the student with the primary knowledge needed for adequate performance of and composition of music.  It also seeks to develop tonal skills in vocal and instrumental sight reading, as well as rhythmic proficiency in musical performance.

Objectives:  Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. understand the nature of acoustics, pitch production, and the various qualities of sound.

2. identify the names of notes, the lines and spaces on the staff, clefs, keys, and the major and minor scales.

3. sing a medium-to-difficult 16-measure passage using solfege syllables at sight.

4. identify musical terms and symbols and their meanings.

5. understand and define intervallic relationships, as well as play and sing any given interval.

6. understand the role of the creator, performer and perceiver.

7. reproduce aurally and visually all types of triads.

8. understand the principles behind triadic harmonies and the tonal system.

9. compose a four-part harmonic exercise using the rules of standard harmonic practice (including non-harmonic 

MU112 MUSIC THEORY 2 (Grades 10-12)   

Weight 1.2 Credit 0.5/semester

Prerequisite recommendation:  Music Theory 1 

Purpose:  To prepare students for a possible career in the field of music and to continue and intensify concepts learned in Music Theory 1.

Course Outline:  

1. To review the fundamentals of music.

2. To show proper part writing and harmonization.

3. To write elementary orchestrations and transpositions.

4. To sight sign advanced melodies.

5. To write advanced melodic and rhythmic dictation.

MU210 SYMPHONIC BAND (Grades 9-12)     

Weight 1.1 Credit 1/year

Purpose:  To give instrumental music students with above average ability and opportunity to perform and study advanced band/orchestral literature.  Membership is gained through a yearly audition. 

Course Outline:

1. Playing orchestral compositions transcribed for band

2. Playing selections from American musicals for band

3. Playing compositions written specifically for band

4. Perform solos and/or ensemble features with band accompaniment.

5. Study and perform scales.

6. Study musical terminology and musical form.

7. Study transposition and its theoretical application in band arranging

8. Study conducting.

9. Evaluating and reflecting upon general musicianship concepts learned throughout the year.

10. Perform for the public at various times throughout the school year:

a. Pops Concert

b. Holiday Concert

c. Winter

d. Night of Music

e. Commencement Ceremony

f. Biannual spring band tour

Objectives for the year: To stimulate interest in fine band/orchestral music; to give above-average instrumental music students an opportunity to perform advanced band/orchestral literature; to give above-average instrumental music students the opportunity to study the technical and theoretical aspects of band/orchestral compositions; to provide the students with the opportunity to reflect on their own learning and improvement; and to provide the above-average instrumental student with an opportunity to perform in numerous band/orchestral public concerts throughout the school year.

Attendance Requirements:

1. Rehearsals and performances held during the school day will conform to regular school policies.

2. For rehearsals and performances held beyond the school day, students must be present, except in the case of illness or extreme emergency.

MU220 ORCHESTRA (Grades 9-12)     

Weight 1.1 Credit 1/year

Purpose:  To give instrumental music students with above average ability and opportunity to perform and study advanced band/orchestral literature.  Membership is gained through a yearly audition. 

Course Outline:

1. Playing orchestral compositions transcribed for strings.

2. Playing selections from American musicals for orchestra.

3. Playing compositions written specifically for orchestra.

4. Perform solos and/or ensemble features with orchestral accompaniment.

5. Study and perform scales.

6. Study musical terminology and musical form.

7. Study transposition and its theoretical application in orchestral arranging

8. Study conducting.

9. Evaluating and reflecting upon general musicianship concepts learned throughout the year.

10. Perform for the public at various times throughout the school year:

a. Pops Concert

b. Holiday Concert

c. Winter

d. Night of Music

e. Commencement Ceremony

f. Biannual spring orchestra tour

Objectives for the year: To stimulate interest in fine band/orchestral music; to give above-average instrumental music students an opportunity to perform advanced band/orchestral literature; to give above-average instrumental music students the opportunity to study the technical and theoretical aspects of band/orchestral compositions; to provide the students with the opportunity to reflect on their own learning and improvement; and to provide the above-average instrumental student with an opportunity to perform in numerous band/orchestral public concerts throughout the school year.

Attendance Requirements:

1. Rehearsals and performances held during the school day will conform to regular school policies.

2. For rehearsals and performances held beyond the school day, students must be present, except in the case of illness or 

extreme emergency.

MU230 CONCERT CHOIR (Grades 9-12)     

Weight 1.1 Credit 1/year

Purpose:  To offer an opportunity for students to sing advanced choral literature in a mixed choir ensemble.  Membership is by audition only.

Course Outline:

1. Singing quality choral literature both sacred and secular of the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary periods of music.

2. Singing popular and Broadway show tunes.

3. Singing of larger works or excerpts from works such as cantatas and requiems.

4. Studies in proper vocal techniques such as warm-ups, breathing exercise, and resonation.

5. Perform for the public at various times throughout the school year:

1. Autumn Concert

2. Holiday Concert

3. Winter Concert

4. Spring Tour - Bi-annual

5. Spring Concert 

6. Other community performances to be scheduled in advance

Objectives of the year: To provide those students with outstanding vocal ability the opportunity to excel in greater levels; to acquaint students with a variety of choral styles and works; and to provide students with proper vocal techniques.

Attendance Requirements:

1. Rehearsals and/or performances which are held during the school day will conform to regular school policies.

2. For rehearsals and/or performances which are held beyond the school day, students must be present and conform to the course policy as established by the director and given to each student.

MU241 MUSIC TECHNOLOGY 1 (Grades 9-12)   

Weight 1.0 Credit 0.5/semester

Prerequisites:  Basic piano keyboard skills and concept of notes and note values.

Purpose:  To utilize, create and print music sequences through the use of synthesizers and computers.

Course Outline:

• Playing and manipulating pre-recorded sequences

• Play and record a simple round

• Play and record percussion sounds to accompany a sequence

• Create and improvise a variation

• Record using controllers to change the effect of a sequence

• Editing sequences

• Create and improvise a 12-bar blues progression

• Project in which student composes and/or arranges

Objectives for the year: To develop knowledge and experience arranging, composing and recording musical sequences through the use of modern music technology.

MU260 MUSIC APPRECIATION (Grades 10-12)

Weight 1.0 Credit 0.5/semester

Music Appreciation is a course for grades 10-12 designed to develop an awareness and appreciation of the aspects of music not ordinarily encountered through performance on an instrument or voice.  The course will study both European and American music from the 1700s to the present.

General Aim:  Students considering studying music beyond high school will find this course very valuable.

Objectives:  Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. develop a knowledge of the elements of music including melody, rhythm, harmony, texture, form, tempo, and dynamics.

2. develop and identify Western music and composers from the Classical Era.

3. develop and identify Western music and composers from the Romantic Era.

4. develop an awareness of opera and its components.

5. understand how music developed in America throughout the ages.

6. develop an awareness of technology in the music of today.