Courses

Concert Band

CONCERT BAND 9 - 12 4 credits

  • Continue playing your brass, woodwind or percussion instrument within a large ensemble.

Concert Band allows the continuation of playing and performing in a large ensemble. Students will rehearse and perform a variety of styles of music from Popular, Marches, Classical and Jazz to explore and create understanding of musical genres. Through rehearsing in a group, skills in sight-reading, technique, tone development and intonation, rhythmic clarity and articulation will be taught and practiced. Due to the combination of grades in this course students can develop their personal learning skills from intermediate to advance while being challenged to the next level. Communicating and documenting student growth is provided in various performances throughout the year demonstrating the connection of being involved in a group.

This class is offered outside the timetable for 4 credits.

Choir

VOICE - CHORAL MUSIC 9 - 12 4 credits

  • an ensemble class to learn different genres of voice music, sing in a group (you can't create harmony by yourself)

Voice is a class to learn and develop your voice in a safe group environment. Students will rehearse and perform a variety of styles of music from Popular, Broadway, Classical and Jazz to explore and create understanding of musical genres. Due to the combination of grades in this course students can develop their personal learning skills from beginner to advanced singer. Students will develop their musical knowledge and ability to sing in a group with harmony and blend. Communicating and documenting student growth is provided in various performances throughout the year demonstrating the connection of being involved in a group.

This class is offered outside the timetable for 4 credits.

Jazz Band

JAZZ BAND 9 - 12 4 credits

  • must be in concert band, like an honour band it builds off concert band with more difficult musical genres (jazz)

This instrumental music class offered is an extension of concert band as it is recommended that students are registered in concert band as well as jazz band. Jazz band expands on the ensemble connections and skills taught in concert band developing difficult syncopation, improvisation, soloing over chord progression, and adapting to different styles of jazz. Music will be selected from Blues, Rock, Latin, and Funk. Jazz band is limited to the following instruments, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass, and drums. This ensemble performs regularly in the school, community, jazz festivals, and on possible jazz trips.

This class is offered outside the timetable for 4 credits.

Guitar

GUITAR 9 - 12 4 credits

  • Learn or practice guitar skills

Learn the basics of the guitar! This course is focused on students who want a general knowledge of music through the guitar. Students will learn basic techniques to allow them to develop their guitar skills to continue whatever venue of guitar playing they may want to explore. Chords, finger picking, ear training, and composition will all lead to the skills needed to start a band, play at a campfire, or just express oneself. Students who have had experience on the guitar will be permitted to take the course with the understanding that they will be taking a leadership role and doing some independent work at a higher level. No previous music knowledge needed.

This class is offered inside the timetable for 4 credits

Music Production

Music Production and Composition 10 - 12 4 credits

  • Learn more about music composition/digital music: using music software and elements of sound and theory to create music

  • Challenge: small group/rock band option, if the students/instrumentation work they can create a small group to develop skills

Music Production is a class that looks deeper into music theory, history, culture, and technology. Using technology and musical knowledge students will take risks in solo and group exploration of what music offers to identity and self-belonging within society. Communicating and documenting student growth is provided in various performance and digital music opportunities. Students will develop their understanding of music through the study of musical genres, science of sound, theory and symbols, historical growth of different genres and the impact of society and the development of music and vice versa.

This class is offered inside the timetable for 4 credits.

Pit Orchestra

Pit Orchestra IDS 10 - 12 4 credits

  • an audition class that depends on high skill set and intense understanding of musical theory.

  • orchestra develops accompanying skills that support stage singers and actors in a production

This instrumental music class offered is an extension of the musical theatre class. Students will be selected as instruments are needed in the current year selected musical. Orchestra students are given the music in late November and are to rehearse the 30+ songs on their own until January. In January students meet once a week outside the timetable to put the songs together as a group. In February they will join the cast in the theatre and provide the accompaniment to the stage performers in the musical theatre class. This intensive class is a memorable experience that gives students a taste of true performing life.

This class is offered outside the timetable for 2 credits or during the musical theatre block in the timetable for 4 credits.