Concert Band
Honors Concert Band
Honors Orchestra
Jazz Band
Repertory Orchestra
Concert Chorus: Colla Voce e Con Fuoco
Honors Select Choir
Honors Select Choir 10
Honors Music Theory
AP Music Theory
Digital Music Composition
Film Music
Guitar
Intro to Piano I and II
NEW: History of Popular Music
NEW: Songwriting
683200 CONCERT BAND U
Meets: Eagle Block (M/Th) Full-year course: 2 credits Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Approximate Weekly Homework: 3 hours
Departmental recommendation: Instrumental skills attained in previous ensembles and/or private instruction that is equal to or greater than Middle School level.
The concert band studies and performs a variety of repertoire at a performance level that is appropriate for the group as a whole. Musical and nonmusical skills such as ensemble playing, teamwork, intonation, technique, sensitivity, and balance and blend with the intention of building individual musical and personal growth are addressed. The Band performs several times a year in school and out of school. Ensemble performance is a strict course requirement and students must attend performances outside of school hours and non-school days.
683203 HONORS CONCERT BAND
Full-year course: 2 credits Meets: Eagle Block (W/F) Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Approximate Weekly Homework: 3 hours
Departmental recommendation: By audition or recommendation of the conductor. Instrumental skills attained in previous ensembles and/or private instruction that is equal to or greater than SEMSBA level playing ability.
The Honors Concert Band will study, prepare, and perform advanced repertoire for students at an advanced performance level. The Masterworks will make up a large portion of the repertoire. Students in the ensemble must possess advanced playing ability on their instrument to handle the required musical and nonmusical skills and techniques. Musical and non- musical skills such as ensemble playing, teamwork, intonation, technique, sensitivity, and balance and blend with the intent of individual musical and personal growth are addressed. Honors Band performs several times a year in school and out of school. Ensemble performance is a strict course requirement and students must attend performances outside of school hours and non-school days.
683213 HONORS JAZZ BAND
Full year course: 1 credit Meets: Eagle Block (T) Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Approximate Weekly Homework: 0 - 1 hour
Departmental recommendation: Audition Required
The jazz band studies and performs music written for the ensemble’s unique instrumentation. The music spans the various styles of the genre. Ensemble and section playing skills along with soloing and improvisation are taught.
683370 REPERTORY ORCHESTRA U
Full year course: 3 credits Meets: Eagle Block (M/W/F) Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Approximate Weekly Homework: 0 - 1 hour
Departmental recommendation: Instrumental skills attained in previous ensembles and/or private instruction that is equal to or greater than Middle School level.
The orchestra studies and performs a variety of repertoire for string and, occasionally, full orchestra. Students will be involved in activities suited for the development of individual string instrument playing skills while cultivating an understanding and appreciation for working within an orchestral ensemble. The study of composers, creative music writing and staging, music theory, and music history are included. Musical and nonmusical skills such as ensemble playing, teamwork, intonation, technique, sensitivity, and balance and blend with the intent of individual musical and personal growth are addressed and transferable to life-long musical participation. Orchestra will perform in concerts several times a year in and out of school. Ensemble performance is a strict course requirement and students must attend performances outside of school hours and non-school days, for which a calendar will be provided.
The orchestra performs at least two required concerts a year, with additional performances for critiqued festivals and the Sharon community. Performance attendance is a strict course requirement, for which a calendar will be provided early in the school year.
683263 HONORS ORCHESTRA
Full year course: 3 credits Meets: Eagle Block (T/Th/F) Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Approximate Weekly Homework: 2 hours
Departmental recommendation: By audition or recommendation of the conductor. Instrumental skills attained in previous ensembles and/or private instruction that is equal to or greater than SEMSBA level playing ability.
The honors orchestra studies and performs a variety of repertoire for chamber and string orchestra at an advanced level. Students will be involved in activities suited for the development of advanced string instrument playing and ensemble skills. Students will perform music of at least level 3 of 6 for ensemble and possible solo performances. Musical and non- musical skills such as ensemble playing, teamwork, intonation, technique, sensitivity, and balance and blend with the intent of individual musical and personal growth are addressed. Honors Orchestra will rehearse with Repertory Orchestra on Fridays and perform together in concerts several times a year in and out of school. Ensemble performance is a strict course requirement and students must attend performances outside of school hours and non-school days, for which a calendar will be provided.
683540 SOPRANO-ALTO CHOIR: COLLA VOCE
Meets: Eagle Block on Mondays, Wednesdays, and some Fridays
Full-year course: 2.5 credits
Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Approximate Weekly Homework: 1 hour
Soprano-Alto Choir: Colla Voce (Italian for “with the voice”) is a Sharon High School’s choral ensemble for sopranos and altos which performs a cappella and accompanied choral music from across music history, in multiple languages. Classes will be primarily dedicated to the rehearsal of repertoire, developing good singing technique, practicing sight reading, cultivating aural skills, and working to build ensemble. To help authentically perform the repertoire, students will explore music theory, music history, and other disciplines as applicable. Colla Voce will perform multiple times throughout the year. Ensemble performance is a strict course requirement; students must attend performances during school hours, outside of school hours, and non-school days.
683550 TENOR-BASS CHOIR: CON FUOCO
Meets: Eagle Block on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and some Fridays
Full-year course: 2.5 credits
Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Approximate Weekly Homework: 1 hour
Tenor-Bass Choir: Con Fuoco (Italian for “with fire”) is Sharon High School’s choral ensemble for tenors and basses which performs a cappella and accompanied choral music from across music history, in multiple languages. Classes will be primarily dedicated to the rehearsal of repertoire, developing good singing technique, practicing sight reading, cultivating aural skills, and working to build ensemble. To help authentically perform the repertoire, students will explore music theory, music history, and other disciplines as applicable. Con Fuoco will perform multiple times throughout the year. Ensemble performance is a strict course requirement; students must attend performances during school hours, outside of school hours, and non-school days.
683143 HONORS SELECT CHOIR
Full-year course: 5 credits
Grades: 11 & 12
Approximate Weekly Homework: 2 hours
Departmental recommendation: Audition Required
Honors Select Choir is Sharon High School’s premiere choral ensemble which performs advanced a cappella and accompanied choral music from across music history, in multiple languages. An honors-level ensemble, this is a fast-paced, intense chorus that rigorously pursues artistic and choral excellence. Thus, the ensemble relies heavily on students’ musicianship, preparation, and engagement in the rehearsal process. Classes will be primarily dedicated to the rehearsal of repertoire, developing good singing technique, practicing sight reading, cultivating aural skills, and working to build ensemble. To help authentically perform the repertoire, students will explore music theory, music history, and other disciplines as applicable. Honors Select Choir will perform many times throughout the year. Ensemble performance is a strict course requirement; students must attend performances and (or) rehearsals scheduled during school hours, outside of school hours, and non-school days. Singers in Honors Select Choir are required to be members of Soprano-Alto Choir: Colla Voce and Tenor-Bass Choir: Con Fuoco.
683523 HONORS SELECT CHOIR 10
Semester One course: 2.5 credits
Grade: 10
Approximate Weekly Homework: 2 hours
Departmental recommendation: Audition Required
Sophomores may participate in Honors Select Choir first semester only. While they will be required to participate in the choir second semester in order to prepare for the MICCA Choral Festival, this participation will be co-curricular and will occur primarily outside of the school day.
683173 HONORS MUSIC THEORY
Semester course: 2.5 credits
Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Approximate Weekly Homework: 2 hours
Departmental recommendation: Some musical experience, training, or knowledge
Interested in becoming a better musician? This interactive, engaging class will explore and teach content and skills routinely used by musicians of all levels. Throughout the class, students will learn about pitch, rhythm, simple meter, compound meter, diatonic scales, intervals, melody, and counterpoint. Most importantly, class will be dedicated to applying this knowledge to skill-based activities including, but not limited to, analysis, aural exercises, composition, conducting, sight singing, improvisation, and keyboard work. These topics and skills will help students become better, stronger musicians. Further, this class will also prepare students to take AP Music Theory.
683174 AP MUSIC THEORY
Full Year course: 5 credits
Grades: 11 and 12
Approximate Weekly Homework: 4 hours
Departmental recommendation: B- or better in Honors Music Theory (683173); or the recommendation of the music teacher and permission of the instructor.
This course is a thorough introduction and exploration of music theory. “The ultimate goal of this course is to develop a student’s ability to recognize, understand, and describe the materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score.” As theory cannot be separated from practice, written and analytical skills will be developed alongside aural, sight- singing, keyboard, and compositional skills. This course is designed to be equivalent to first-year collegiate music theory curriculum and to prepare students to take the AP Music Theory Exam in May. Most importantly, this course is designed to give musicians the musicianship skills they need to become better musicians.
683240 DIGITAL MUSIC COMPOSITION U
Semester course: 2.5 credits
Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Approximate Weekly Homework: 0 - 1 hour
Departmental recommendation: None
Making music on the computer is fun, but you need to know how the elements of music work to create a music composition. Using Apple’s Garage Band, students will learn how rhythm, melody, harmony, and song form apply in creating their own musical works. Additional topics include producing a radio commercial, the blues, recording ambient sounds into a composition, learning about important film composers, history of music technology, developments in the digital music industry, electronic styles, trying out affordable music apps and devices, and Foley.
683630 FILM MUSIC U
Semester course: 2.5 credits
Grades: 9, 10, 11, and 12
Approximate Weekly Homework: 0-1 hours
Prerequisites: None; students will all levels of musical background are welcome
Do you like movies? Do you like music? Have you ever wondered how soundtracks are made? This is the class for you! This interactive, project-based course will explore the enormous impact music has on film. Much time will be dedicated to watching and analyzing film, discovering how directors and composers use music in expressive, purposeful, and meaningful ways in various film genres (e.g. documentary, drama, action, silent film, animation, etc.). Afterwards, students will take what they observe and put it into practice, composing, arranging, and performing their own film scores individually and in small groups.
683600 GUITAR U
Semester course: 2.5 credits
Grades: 9, 10, 11, & 12
Approximate Weekly Homework: 0 - 1 hour
Departmental recommendation: None
Note: This course may be taken more than once to earn course credit
The Guitar class is open to any student, beginner through advanced, who wants to learn to play the guitar. In this mixed ability level class, beginners will be taught chord strumming, note reading, finger picking, and basic improvisation while advanced students will develop a course of study based on what the student wants to learn. Students will play acoustic guitars. Electric guitar, nylon guitar, ukulele, loopers, and Bass can be a part of the learning experience as well. Students may repeat the course for additional learning.
683640 PIANO I U
Semester Course: 2.5 Credits
Grades: 9, 10, 11, and 12
Approximate Weekly Homework: 0-1 hours
Prerequisites: None; students with all levels of musical background are welcome
Have you ever wanted to learn the piano? This course is designed for the beginner piano student with little to no music reading skills. Students will learn musical concepts such as rhythm, melody, and harmony.. Students who have never played piano will learn how to read music notation and will become acquainted with basic piano techniques such as playing scales and intervals, playing single-line melodies with chord accompaniment, and playing simple popular and classic songs.
683650 PIANO II U
Semester Course: 2.5 Credits
Grades: 9, 10, 11, and 12
Approximate Weekly Homework: 0-1 hours
Departmental Recommendations: B- or better Piano I; or the recommendation of the music teacher and permission of the instructor.
This course is designed as a continuation of skills learned in Piano I or the equivalent of one year of piano study. Students should be comfortable with reading music notation, playing with both hands, and have a basic understanding of music terminology. Students in this course will begin to explore playing music from many different musical eras including well-known classical composers as well as popular music of their choice. This course is designed for the intermediate-beginner piano student.
NEW!!!!!! HIP-HOP, ROCK, & POP: HOW DID WE GET HERE?
Semester Course: 2.5 Credits
Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Approximate Weekly Homework: 1 hour
Departmental Recommendation: NONE
How did American music go from Scott Joplin and Steven Foster to Beyonce and Taylor Swift?
What and who have influenced American music’s significant developments? Take a fascinating journey through time and meet the legends, icons, and just plain folk who have shaped our musical landscape down through the decades. Students will listen to and research numerous events, persons, and places that have contributed to the American music tapestry.
NEW!!!!! SONGWRITING
Semester Course: 2.5 Credits
Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Approximate Weekly Homework: 1 hour
Departmental Recommendation: Prerequisite of the Intro to Guitar, Piano I, or Digital Music Composition courses or recommendation from teacher following an interview/audition showing that you have an instrument through which you can create songwriting works.
In this course, students will compose, improvise, and create their own songs including songs with words and songs without words. Students will listen to and analyze a variety of popular music, explore the different elements and fundamentals of music to use when composing, and will present compositions and recordings on an online platform. Students should be equipped with a basic knowledge of chords, chord progressions, music theory, and technical ability on either guitar or piano for this course.