FINE ARTS - MUSIC

The concert band will meet twice a week all year outside of the school timetable (Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7am to 8:15am.) The concert band is geared toward students who have prior experience in an ensemble, want to challenge their musical knowledge, develop their skills, and have the opportunity for numerous performances throughout the year. An emphasis will be placed on technique, listening, and balance which develop and heighten each student’s musical ear and aural skills.

This course is open to students of all grades and skill levels. The guitar course will give beginning students the opportunity to learn common guitar chords, simple techniques, chord changes, and the ability to read tab and chords on the music. An emphasis will be placed on theory.

The intermediate guitarists will use the class for further developing their skills in reading music as well as creating their own pieces. New songs will be provided daily so the students are able to practice new techniques every day.

Advanced guitarists can use the class for their own musical development. They can use the time for composition and performance preparation. Helping the less advanced students with their music reading and creation will also give them the chance to view music from a teaching standpoint. Teaching skills to less experienced guitarists will undoubtedly help refine and master their own skills.

Jazz band is a year-long course that runs twice a week outside of the timetable (Mondays & Wednesdays 7am to 8:15am). This ensemble gives the students the opportunity to learn new styles, develop their improvisation skills, and learn jazz theory basics. Students are encouraged to learn a different instrument for this ensemble if they do not play an instrument that is common to jazz bands. Because it is a smaller ensemble, students will have opportunities to play out in the community throughout the year. Students who are interested in Jazz b and are required to be in Concert Band as well unless they have approval from Ms. Sousa.

This course runs inside the timetable and is only open to grade 10-12 students. The first few months are used to get the students familiar with the show’s music, and the singers slowly begin rehearsing with the orchestra. Orchestra music is very challenging and requires a great deal of commitment and dedication. The final exam for the course is a successful show run in February.

The vocal music course is offered to students from grade 9-12. It is a credit course that will run outside of the timetable all year (Fridays 7am to 8:15am). Students will be given a variety of music to learn from a wide range of genres. Students will work toward performances during the year inside the school as well as out in the community.