(HS300000, SCED 05111) 🎨 1 credit

Full Year

Note: Students must successfully audition for enrollment in this course. Choral Ensemble is for students who have advanced singing ability. Students will be auditioned to enter this class.

The course provides each student with an opportunity to study and perform a variety of challenging literature. This course will also allow students to further develop and make more efficient use of their vocal instrument. Students will further develop the four basic principles of singing; respiration, phonation, resonance, and articulation as well as continued study of basic vocal production and musical interpretation. This course is performance oriented. Performances are the final outcome of the student’s in-school instruction. Therefore all performances are mandatory and are a large percentage of the students’ grade. Students must learn the chorus repertoire as well and perform with the MHS Chorus. It is suggested that each Ensemble member audition for All-State in the fall.

(HS300001, SCED 05147) 🎨 0.5 credit

Semester

Concentration Study courses with a music teacher, enable students to explore music-related topics. Concentration Study courses may serve as an opportunity for students to expand their expertise in a particular form or style, to explore a topic in greater detail, or to develop more advanced skills. This opportunity is open to juniors and seniors.

Prerequisite: Admission based on written application submitted to and approved by the Music Department in conjunction with the director. This application may be retrieved from the Music Department Director and must be submitted 3 weeks before the beginning of the semester.

(HS300002, SCED 05108) 🎨 0.5 credit

Semester

This class introduces the students to beginning guitar instruction. The course will cover tuning, playing simple melodies, primary chords and ensemble experience. Students will also gain knowledge of reading and understanding musical notation. This activity-oriented course is for the student who lacks a formal background in applied music study. No experience necessary

(HS300003, SCED 05108) 🎨 0.5 credit

Semester

This course helps students improve their playing skills on the guitar by learning more complex rhythms and chordal accompaniments as well as playing melody and mixed harmony/melody lines. In addition to the six-string guitar, students will be instructed in ukulele, mandolin, dulcimer, electric bass and 12 string guitar. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to perform and accompany themselves and perform as part of a group. This activity-oriented course is for the student who has learned the basics of music reading and guitar and wish to advance and hone their skills. We believe that successful completion of Guitar I is an essential foundation for those selecting this course.

(HS300004, SCED 05106) 🎨 0.5 credit

Semester

Jazz Ensemble is comprised of students with a good instrumental background. This course introduces students to the principle of jazz theory, transposition, and interpretation. The course also provides students with many school, community, statewide, and festival performing opportunities

(HS300005, SCED 05106) 🎨 0.5 credit

Semester

Jazz Ensemble is comprised of students with a good instrumental background and wish to improve their skills in a variety of jazz styles with emphasis on improvisation in various keys and chord structures. The course allows to further develop their skills in transposition and interpretation. Enrollment in Jazz Ensemble fall is not a prerequisite.

(HS300006, SCED 05101) 🎨 1 credit

Full Year

Band is open to all students with prior instrumental experience. Students will develop instrumental ensemble performance skills while being introduced to a varied repertoire including classical, contemporary and marches. Band students are taught the fundamentals of good ensemble playing such as posture, dynamics, intonation, phrasing, balance, tone, articulation, and musicality. Members of the band are expected to practice daily, attend all rehearsals and performances and show continuous improvements throughout the year. This course is performance oriented. Performances are the final outcome of the student’s in-school instruction. Therefore, all performances are mandatory and are a large percentage of the students’ grade. We believe that successful completion of a middle school band program is an essential foundation for those electing this course.

(HS300007, SCED 05110) 🎨 1 credit

Full Year

A varied repertoire of choral music will be introduced and studied throughout the school year. Students will develop choral techniques and skills such as breath support, intonation, phrasing, proper posture, tonal production and placement, balance, dynamics, diction, sight singing and musicality. Members of the Chorus are expected to practice daily, attend all rehearsals and performances and show continuous improvements throughout the year. This course is performance oriented. Performances are the final outcome of the student’s in-school instruction. Therefore all performances are mandatory and are a large percentage of the students’ grade. Behavior and attentiveness are a large part of participating in this ensemble. Students whose behavior is a distraction to the group will be removed from the program.

Note: We believe that successful completion of a middle school chorus program is an essential foundation for those electing this course.

(HS300008, SCED 05149) 🎨💻 0.5 credit

Semester

This course offering is a “hands-on” studio course designed for students with little or no experience in music. Students become familiar with the basic components (synthesizers, amplifiers, and other recording equipment) of the electronic lab. Through the use of this equipment, students will learn to improvise and create their own electronic composition. No experience necessary.

(HS300009 SCED 05113) 🎨 1 credit

Full Year

This class is open to all students (Gr 9 - 12) who have a desire to learn about the basic elements of music writing. Class work will be reinforced by use of various computer programs. This course is strongly recommended for all vocal and instrumental students.

(HS300010, SCED 05113) 🎨 1 credit

Full Year

In Music Theory II, the main emphasis is placed upon using materials learned in the first year course through the process of musical composition. Students will start with exercises in two-part counterpoint. As the student gains more skill, progression on three-part counterpoint is made. Analysis of various music examples will be studied and listened to in class. The canon and other imitative styles will be written and studied by each of the students. Various computer programs will be used to reinforce class work.

(HS300011, SCED 05107) 🎨 0.5 credit

Semester

This class is an introductory course teaching student’s basic piano technique. Students will learn about the keyboard and to read music. Students will become familiar with the piano keyboard by playing a variety of finger exercises, chord exercises, and many songs. This activity-oriented course is for the student who lacks formal background in applied music study. No experience necessary.

(HS300012, SCED 05107) 🎨 0.5 credit

Semester

This course will help students improve their playing skills on the keyboard by learning more complex rhythms, melodies, keys and accompaniment patterns. This activity-oriented course is for the student who has learned the basics of music reading and piano playing and wish to advance and hone their skills. We believe that successful completion of piano I is an essential foundation for those selecting this class.

(HS300013, SCED 05105) 🎨 0.5 credit

Semester

In this course, students will study the fundamental elements of music through percussion performance. Topics of instruction will include instruments and equipment care, music literacy, percussion performance skills, and African, Cuban, and South American hand drum techniques. This course will further address different learning styles by utilizing hands-on performance on percussion instruments. Students will be able to play instruments, arrange and compose, and listen to and evaluate their performance. No previous music background is required.