Music

This is a course for the college-bound music major, designed to prepare the student in music theory on an advanced level. It will prepare the student for the AP MUSIC THEORY examination. Successful achievement in this examination can give the student advanced placement in required music theory courses upon entering college. Students will have the option of taking the AP exam for college credit at the end of the course and at their own expense.

Eligible for Dual Enrollment Credit through Seton Hall University.

Prerequisite: B+ or better in MUSIC THEORY or permission of instructor.

1.0 Credit - Full Year

High school BAND is a course designed to strengthen existing playing/reading/aural skills and to develop greater technique and musicality. Band is both a concert and marching band class. Marching band runs until the conclusion of the football season; at which time the concert band will begin. Students in band are required to complete bi-monthly playing exams that are submitted electronically to the director. Literature that the band performs is in addition to method books and materials and consists of a wide spectrum of musical styles and technical difficulty. Band rehearsals commence prior to the start of the school year. Students will have grades accumulated before the first day of school. Students enrolled in this course will also have the option to audition for Jazz Band, Pit Orchestra, and Full Orchestra.

Prerequisite: BAND is an elective, open to students in grades 9-12 who have had private or class instruction on a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Interested students are requested to contact the director before the course selection process is completed. Any students wishing to join without prior experience are able to do so by contacting Mr. Fisher and setting up lessons with him and other students.

Requirement: BAND rehearsals commence prior to the start of the school year. All students are expected to participate in all performances; this is a course requirement.

1.0 Credit - Full Year

HONORS BAND is offered to students who tirelessly dedicate themselves to the craft of instrumental music. Students who choose to elect the honors weight will have to complete the same assignments as the regular class and will also be required to complete additional, more challenging work to earn the honors credit. All students are eligible to participate in the honors music program as long as they meet the prerequisites.

Prerequisite: Be enrolled in the high school music ensemble that meets during the school day (Band/Orchestra). Be a member in good standing of that ensemble. No unexcused absences. Exhibits a consistent level of effort and preparedness in rehearsals. Demonstrates a high level of rehearsal etiquette. Consistently meets or exceeds the expectations set forth by the director.

Requirement: All students enrolled are expected to participate in all performances; this is a course requirement.

1.0 Credit - Full Year

This is an elective open to all students in grades 9 through 12. The objective is to teach music reading skills, aural skills, vocal techniques and performance skills necessary to develop a well-balanced choral ensemble. The student will acquire performance practice skills appropriate to the style period of the literature being performed.

Prerequisite: The ability to match pitch is essential to this course. Students who have a concern about this requirement should seek the instructor before course selection is completed.

Requirement: All students enrolled are expected to participate in all performances; this is a course requirement.

1.0 Credit - Full Year

COLOR GUARD is a half-year course available in the fall semester only. Students will work with flags and other equipment. Students will learn routines and perform with flags and other equipment. Students who elect COLOR GUARD are required to attend summer practices in July and August in conjunction with the BAND to learn the field show prior to the start of the school year. As this is a co-curricular program, there are also after school rehearsals in the first two months of the school year. COLOR GUARD students are required to participate in all scheduled BAND performances at events during the fall marching band season. Please contact Mrs. Spritzer at spritzerm@slsd.org for more information.

Prerequisite: COLOR GUARD is an elective, open to students in grades 9-12. Interested students must successfully complete a training program with the color guard instructor in the spring, or may have received prior instruction in basic color guard skills. no experience is necessary to participate in the training program; interested students should contact the color guard instructor Mrs. spritzer at spritzerm@slsd.org before enrolling in the course.

.5 Credit - Half Year

MEISTERSINGERS is the advanced choir offered at the high school level. Students who successfully audition for this group will be challenged in their musicianship by more difficult literature and expectations. Music literacy, ear training, history, and vocal technique are heavily emphasized in this class and students are making a commitment in this course to achieve very high standards of music performance. A significant part of this course is the performance schedule outside of school time. Students who successfully audition for this course will be expected to make all performances in the calendar year.

***All students at time of course selection will register for CHORUS. Audition letters/materials will be available to all students who registered for CHORUS by April 1st and the blind audition will be done before May 1st.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of audition in the Spring.

1.0 Credit - Full Year

This course is designed to give the student musician a basic understanding of the components and structures of music. Emphasis is placed on those elements with which the student will have the most contact. The course progresses from the very basic fundamentals to most diatonic harmonic and melodic devices found in major and minor keys, plus basic rhythmic structures. Basic notational skills using Finale software will be explored. Development of skills in sight-reading, melodic/harmonic, and rhythmic dictation is carried out through computer-guided exercise plus live performance and is tied to content material. Students will create rudimentary compositions based on the concepts taught in this course.

Prerequisite: No special training required, only a sincere interest in music.

1.0 Credit - Full Year

High School ORCHESTRA is a course designed to strengthen existing playing/reading/aural skills and to develop greater technique and musicality with respect to the challenges presented by orchestra literature. In addition to quarterly playing requirements performed on their instrument, students in ORCHESTRA are required to complete bi-weekly playing exams that are submitted electronically to the director. Literature that the ORCHESTRA performs consists of a wide spectrum of musical styles and technical difficulty. All performance literature, method books and materials are oriented to the string section. Woodwind, brass and/or percussion students may be added on an “as needed” basis for selected literature. Extra rehearsals outside of the school day are scheduled as needed for program preparation.

Prerequisite: ORCHESTRA is an elective, open to students who have had private or class instruction on a string instrument, specifically violin, viola, cello and string bass. Interested students are requested to contact the director before the course selection process is complete.

Requirement: All students enrolled are expected to participate in all performances; this is a course requirement.

1.0 Credit - Full Year

HONORS ORCHESTRA is offered to students who tirelessly dedicate themselves to the craft of instrumental music. Students who choose to elect the honors weight will have to complete the same assignments as the regular class and will also be required to complete additional, more challenging work to earn the honors credit. All students are eligible to participate in the honors music program as long as they meet the prerequisites.

Prerequisite: Be enrolled in the high school music ensemble that meets during the school day (Band/Orchestra). Be a member in good standing of that ensemble. No unexcused absences. Exhibits a consistent level of effort and preparedness in rehearsals. Demonstrates a high level of rehearsal etiquette. Consistently meets or exceeds the expectations set forth by the director.

Requirement: All students enrolled are expected to participate in all performances; this is a course requirement.

1.0 Credit - Full Year

This course is designed for the beginning student who wishes to learn to play the piano. The student will demonstrate adequate motor skill development through the performance of a variety of sequential repertoire. Learning to read basic pitch and rhythmic patterns will be taught. A history of the instrument, as well as its most famous composers and performers, will be examined. The department of music’s computer lab will be used for both individual and group instruction. Students who have played before should consider Piano II instead of starting in Piano I. You must have the permission of the instructor first.

0.5 Credit - Full Year

The primary focus of this course is to allow students to study the great composers and styles of piano literature. Fundamentally, this course is a continuation of PIANO I. Students will refine technical skills and fluency through the standard piano methodology. Students will work on creative repertoire-derived literature ranging from Mozart to popular contemporary music. Students will also be able to develop accompanying skills for a soloist or choir.

Prerequisite: Grade of B or higher in PIANO I or permission of the instructor

0.5 Credit - Half Year

The focus of THEATRE is on the skills of acting and directing. Students will experience the aspects of improvisational acting as well as rehearsed acting. Acting techniques and scene exploration will be explored. Students will be performing memorized, scripted monologues and scenes as well as monologues and scenes that they create themselves. Concentration, observations, and believability will be the skills targeted. Students will be able to use the terms and phrases that are used in professional theatre productions. Students will be exposed to the origins of theatre as well as the elements of acting by reading dramatic literature. This is an active class that includes theatre games, memorization, and public speaking as well as tests and projects.

0.5 Credit - Half Year