Music Course Offerings

Band
Humanities
Course Code: 849 / 849A / 849B / 849C
Credits: 1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, K, W, WAMS, WCA
Students develop skills as individual musicians and as members of a musical group. Guidance will be given by the band director in the selection of an instrument. Course content includes beginning level technical and ensemble skills necessary for performance. Some performance opportunities are provided. Marching band techniques and performances may be included. Students must meet both during the school day and outside of the school day for participation requirements.

Symphonic Band
Humanities
Course Code: 867 / 867A / 867B / 867C
Credits: 1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, K, W, WAMS, WCA
Prerequisite: Audition
Symphonic Band is open to all students through auditions held in the spring by the band director. The Symphonic Band presents a balanced study of literature at the highest level and quality attainable by the ensemble. The Symphonic Band will present winter and spring concerts and participate in events and festivals. Membership of this ensemble requires practice, rehearsals, and performances outside of the school day as an extension of the classroom activity. Symphonic Band members are required to be members of the marching band, but students involved in fall athletics or with other extenuating circumstances can receive a marching band waiver from the band director on a case by case basis.

Wind Ensemble
Humanities
Course Code: 869 / 869A / 869B / 869C
Credits: 1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, K, W, WAMS
Prerequisite: Audition
Students in this course form the representative performing band for the school. Emphasis is placed on the sequential development of advanced technical skills and on the study of related literature. Based on successful completion of sequential concepts for each level, students will continue as specified in course level. Marching band techniques, rehearsals, and performances are required in this course. Students must meet both during the school day and outside of the school day for participation requirements.

Jazz Band
Humanities
Course Code: 896 / 896A / 896B / 896C
Credits: 1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, K, W, WAMS
Prerequisite: Audition
Schools may require membership in band or advanced band class, and may require participation in marching band.  
The instrumental jazz ensemble curriculum emphasizes improvisation and styles of the jazz idiom. Content includes the study of blues scale patterns and harmonic progressions innate in jazz music. Content also includes the study of the appropriate jazz literature and rehearsal and performance techniques. Instrumentation of the jazz ensemble is at the discretion of the instructor. Marching band techniques and performances may be included. Students must meet both the school day and outside of the school day participation requirements to receive credit for the course.

Percussion Ensemble
Humanities
Course Code: 897 / 897A / 897B / 897C
Credits: 1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, K, W, WAMS
Schools may also require membership in band or advanced band, chorus or orchestra class. Participation in marching band may be a required part of this course.  
The percussion ensemble class is designed to meet specific needs of percussionists. Content includes study of the appropriate ensemble literature, and rehearsal and performance techniques from the various areas of musical composition. Instrumentation of the group is at the discretion of the instructor. Marching band techniques and performances may be included. Students must meet both the school day and outside of the school day participation requirements to receive credit for the course.

Wind and Brass Sectionals
Humanities
Course Code: 898 / 898A / 898B / 898C
Credits: 1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, K, W, WAMS
Schools may also require membership in band or advanced band, chorus or orchestra class. Participation in marching band may be a required part of this course.  
The Winds & Brass sectionals class is designed to meet specific needs and/or interests. Content includes study of the appropriate ensemble literature, pedagogical techniques, and rehearsal/performance artistry. Instrumentation of the group is at the discretion of the instructor. Marching band techniques and performances may be included. Students must meet both the school day and outside of the school day participation requirements to receive credit for the course. Woodwinds and brass players would meet on alternating days to ensure the instructional technique is being met to the highest standards of the CCSS. Winds include flute, clarinet, saxophones, and double reeds. Brass includes trumpet, french horn, mellophone, trombone, euphonium and tuba.

Orchestra
Humanities
Course Code: 956 / 956A / 956B / 956C
Credits: 1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: WAMS
Prerequisite: attainment of beginning level skills.
Students develop skills as individual musicians and as members of a musical group. Guidance will be given by the instructor in the selection of an instrument. Course content includes beginning level technical and ensemble skills necessary for performance. Some performance opportunities are provided. Students must meet both the school day and outside of the school day participation requirements to receive credit for the course.

Advanced Orchestra
Humanities
Course Code: 957 / 957A / 957B / 957C
Credits: 1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: WAMS
Prerequisite: Audition
Students in this course form the representative string performing group for the school. Emphasis is placed on the sequential development of advanced technical, ensemble, and disciplinary skills necessary for refined rehearsal and performance both in and out of school. Based on successful completion of sequential concepts for each level, students will continue to learn advanced musical concepts. Students must meet both the school day and outside of the school day participation requirements to receive credit for the course.

Chamber Strings
Humanities
Course Code: 958 / 958A / 958B / 958C
Credits: 1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: WAMS
Prerequisite: Audition
Schools may require membership in orchestra or advanced orchestra class. The string ensemble class is designed to meet specific needs and/or interests. Content includes study of the appropriate ensemble literature, pedagogical techniques, and rehearsal performance artistry. Instrumentation of the group is at the discretion of the instructor. Students must meet both the school day and outside of the school day participation requirements to receive credit for the course.

Chorus
Humanities
Course Code: 899 / 899A / 899B / 899C
Credits: 1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, K, W, WAMS
Students will participate in a chorus of mixed voices. Emphasis is placed upon correct vocal performance techniques and sight-singing through the study of appropriate choral literature. Based on successful completion of sequential concepts for each level, students will continue to learn progressive musical concepts. Students must meet both the school day and outside of the school day participation requirements to receive credit for the course.

Intermediate Chorus
Humanities
Course Code: 930 / 930A / 930B / 930C
Credits: 1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, K, W, WAMS
Prerequisite: Beginning Chorus or Audition
Intermediate level chorus will provide for the continued study of correct vocal production, sight-singing and development of musicianship through the study of appropriate choral literature. Based on successful completion of sequential concepts for each level, students will continue as specified in course level. Students must meet both the school day and outside of the school day participation requirements to receive credit for the course.

Advanced Chorus
Humanities
Course Code: 931 / 931A / 931B / 931C
Credits: 1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, K, W, WAMS
Prerequisite: Intermediate Chorus or Audition
Students are offered advanced choral experiences for mixed voices. Emphasis is placed on the development of musicianship and proficiency in ensemble performance. Course content includes a study of choral literature, vocal techniques, and sight-singing. Based on successful completion of sequential concepts for each level, students will continue to learn advanced musical concepts.. Students must meet both the school day and outside of the school day participation requirements to receive credit for the course.

Voice Class
Humanities
Course Code: 932 / 932A / 932B / 932C
Credits: 1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, K, W, WAMS, WCA
Prerequisite: Audition
This ensemble is designed to meet specific needs and /or interests for vocalists. Content includes study of appropriate ensemble literature, and rehearsal and performance techniques from a variety of musical genres. Schools may also require membership in an intermediate or advanced choral class. Voicing of the group is at the discretion of the Choral Director. Students must meet both during the school day and outside of the school day for participation requirements.

Music Appreciation
Humanities
Course Code: 1025 / 1025A
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, K, W, WAMS
Music History/Appreciation courses survey different musical styles and periods with the intent of increasing students’ understanding of music and its importance in relation to the human experience. Music History/Appreciation courses may focus on how various styles of music apply musical elements to create an expressive or aesthetic impact. Students also have the ability for informal music performance and creation within the classroom.

Piano 1
Humanities
Course Code: 933 / 933A / 933B / 933C
Credits: 0.5
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, W, WAMS, WCA
Students learn the fundamentals of keyboard instruments. Keyboard instruction includes the study of scale patterns and knowledge of harmonic progressions as well as individual practice on a keyboard instrument. Instructional literature is selected from classical and contemporary repertoire. Students will perform a recital of solo piano pieces and /or duets with both hands in a variety of musical genres at the end of this course for an audience. Students must meet both during the school day and outside of the school day for participation requirements.

Piano 2
Humanities
Course Code: 934 / 934A / 934B / 934C
Credits: 0.5
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, W, WAMS, WCA
Prerequisite: Piano 1
Students continue to learn the fundamentals of keyboard instruments. Keyboard instruction includes the study of scale patterns and knowledge of harmonic progressions as well as individual practice on a keyboard instrument. Instructional  literature is selected from classical and contemporary repertoire. Students will perform a recital of solo piano pieces and /or duets with both hands in a variety of musical genres at the end of this course for an audience. Students must meet both during the school day and outside of the school day for participation requirements.

Piano 3
Course Code: 935 / 935A / 935B / 935C
Credits: 1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, W, WAMS, WCA
Prerequisite: Piano 2
Students refine the fundamentals of playing keyboard instruments. Intermediate keyboard instruction includes the study of scale patterns and knowledge of harmonic progressions, as well as individual practice on a keyboard instrument. Instructional literature is selected from classical and contemporary repertoire. Guest artists and field trips to performances and/or seminars may also be part of the curriculum. Student performance may be required. Students will perform a recital of solo piano pieces and /or duets with both hands in a variety of musical genres at the end of this course for an audience. Students must meet both during the school day and outside of the school day for participation requirements.

Piano 4 Accompaniment
Humanities
Course Code: 936 / 936A / 936B / 936C
Credits: 1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, W, WAMS, WCA
Prerequisite is completion of Piano 3 or Audition
In this course, piano students will begin to play duets and solos in a variety of musical genres. They are required to perform daily in class for peers and other classes but are not required to play a formal recital.

Piano 5 Accompaniment
Humanities
Course Code: 936/936A/936B/936C
Credits: 1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, W, WAMS, WCA
Prerequisite is completion of Piano 4.
Students learn advanced skills for playing keyboard instruments. Advanced keyboard instruction includes the mastery of scale patterns, arpeggios, and knowledge of advanced harmonic progressions, as well as individual practice on a keyboard instrument. Instructional literature is selected from classical and contemporary repertoire. Guest artists and field trips to performances and/or seminars may also be part of the curriculum. Student performance and/or accompanying may be required. 

Guitar 1
Humanities
Course Code: 919 / 919A / 919B / 919C
Credits: 0.5
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, WAMS
This is a semester-long course. Students learn the fundamentals of guitar. Guitar instruction emphasizes basic technique, reading, progressions, and music theory. Instructional literature is selected from classical and contemporary repertoire.  Students will perform in a recital at the end of the term either solos, small groups or as a  guitar ensemble.  Students must meet both during the school day and outside of the school day for participation requirements.

Guitar 2
Course Code: 938 / 938A / 938B / 938C
Credits: 0.5
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, WAMS
Prerequisite: Guitar 1
Students continue to develop skills on the guitar. Guitar instruction emphasizes intermediate technique, reading, progressions and music theory. Instructional literature is selected from classical and contemporary repertoire. Students will perform in a recital at the end of the term either solos, small groups or as a  guitar ensemble.  Students must meet both during the school day and outside of the school day for participation requirements.

Guitar 3
Humanities
Course Code: 9213/9213A/9213B/9213C
Credits: 0.5
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, WAMS
Prerequisite: Guitar 1 and 2 or Audition
This is a semester-long course. Students learn the fundamentals of guitar. Guitar instruction emphasizes basic technique, reading, progressions, and music theory. Instructional literature is selected from classical and contemporary repertoire.  Students will perform in a recital at the end of the term either solos, small groups or as a  guitar ensemble.  Students must meet both during the school day and outside of the school day for participation requirements.

Guitar Ensemble
Humanities
Course Code: 939 / 939A / 939B / 939C
Credits:  1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, WAMS
Prerequisite: Audition
Students in this course form one of the representative performing guitar ensembles for the school. Emphasis is placed on the sequential development of advanced technical skills and on the study of related literature. Based on successful completion of sequential concepts for each level, students will continue as specified in course level. Students must meet both the school day and outside of the school day participation requirements to receive credit for the course.

Guitar Ensemble 2
Humanities
Course Code: 945 / 945A / 945B / 945C
Credits: 1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, WAMS
Prerequisite: Audition
Students in this course form the representative performing guitar ensemble for the school. Emphasis is placed on the sequential development of advanced technical skills and on the study of related literature. Based on successful completion of sequential concepts for each level, students will continue as specified in course level. Students must meet both the school day and outside of the school day participation requirements to receive credit for the course.

Digital Music 1
Humanities or STEM
Course Code: 963, 963A, 963B, 963C
Credits:  1.0
Grade: 9-12
Weight: General
Schools: WAMS
Students will explore the techniques used in modern music production using the program Logic Pro X. Students will learn basic mixing techniques, songwriting techniques, how to sample and will learn how to use sound effects. Students will also learn basic troubleshooting, signal flow and session organization skills.

Digital Music 2
Humanities or STEM
Course Code: 964, 964A, 964B, 964C
Credits:  1.0
Grade: 9-12
Weight: General
Schools: WAMS
Prerequisite: attainment of beginning level skills
Students will explore the use of computers and other electronic technologies in music including: Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI), analog and digital synthesis, sequencing, acoustics, sound processing, and electronic musical composition using the latest music industry software and the internet. Students will explore further techniques used in modern music production using Logic ProX.. Students will learn intermediate level mixing techniques, songwriting techniques and will dive deeper into the world of sampling. Students will also learn music production terminology, will learn more about signal flow and modern music promotion resources. 

Digital Music 3
Humanities or STEM
Course Code: 965, 965A, 965B, 965C
Credits:  1.0
Grade: 9-12
Weight: General
Schools: WAMS
Prerequisite: attainment of beginning level skills
Students design and produce audio content for the kinds of real-world production projects they might expect in their career using the programs Pro Tools and Ableton. Using industry standard software such as Pro Tools and Ableton Live, students will learn the ins and outs of each software and how to produce/mix in each.

Digital Music 4
Humanities or STEM
Course Code: 966, 966A, 966B, 966C
Credits:  1.0
Grade: 9-12
Weight: General
Schools: WAMS
Prerequisite: attainment of beginning level skills
Ableton and ProTools Students design and produce audio content for the kinds of real-world production projects they might expect in their career. Students are introduced to techniques and applications that are essential for pursuit of a variety of professional opportunities in the areas of sound design and audio production for film, video games, broadcast media, as well as all types of music production. Through in-studio classroom experience, hands-on project work, you will: develop an informed and critical aesthetic vision; gain a thorough knowledge and understanding of complex technical systems; learn to collaborate effectively with others in numerous musical settings through participation as an engineer and producer; learn to define quality using both musical and technical criteria, and to apply those criteria to your work and to the work of others; and refine your communication and time-management skills in the context of multidisciplinary productions.

Digital Music 5
Humanities or STEM
Course Code: 967 / 967A / 967B / 967C
Credits:  1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: WAMS
Prerequisite: attainment of beginning level skills
In this advanced recording class, explore sophisticated ensemble microphone techniques and applications, and revisit and reinforce professional session protocol. Advanced drum miking, session flow, documentation, and microphone choice and comparisons are demonstrated. Program applications used in this course are  Ableton, Pro Tools, and Logic ProX.

Digital Music 6
Humanities or STEM
Course Code: 968 / 968A / 968B / 968C
Credits:  1.0
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: WAMS
In this advanced digital music class students will use sophisticated applications, microphones and perform hands on live recording sessions. 

Digital Application
Humanities or STEM
Course Code: 967, 967A, 967B, 967C
Credits:  1.0
Grade: 9-12
Weight: General
Schools: WAMS
In this advanced recording class, explore sophisticated ensemble microphone techniques and applications, and revisit and reinforce professional session protocol. Advanced drum miking, session flow, documentation, and microphone choice and comparisons are demonstrated. Program applications used in this course are Ableton, Pro Tools, and Logic ProX.

Music Theory 1
Humanities
Course Code: 969 / 969A / 969B / 969C
Credits:  0.5
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, K, W, WAMS
Prerequisite: Performance Class or Instrument
Emphasis is placed on developing and understanding basic music theory skills. Course content includes recognizing and notating: all major and minor scales, rhythms in simple and compound meters, and triadic chord structures. Composition skills in standard notation of simple melodies, with accompanying chords and keyboard performance of simple tunes, may also be included. Students will become acquainted with appropriate musical terms.

Music Theory 2
Humanities
Course Code: 970 / 970A / 970B / 970C
Credits:  0.5
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, K, W, WAMS
Prerequisite is Music Theory 1.
Emphasis is placed on developing and understanding basic music theory skills. Course content includes recognizing and notating: all major and minor scales, rhythms in simple and compound meters, and triadic chord structures. Composition skills in standard notation of simple melodies, with accompanying chords and keyboard performance of simple tunes, may also be included. Students will become acquainted with appropriate musical terms.

Music Theory 3
Humanities
Course Code: 973/973A/973B/973C
Credits:  0.5
Grade: All
Weight: General
Schools: C, K, W, WAMS
Prerequisite: Music Theory 1 & 2 or equivalency exam
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Music Theory examination, with college credit and/or placement being awarded if a qualifying score is achieved. Students are given a solid foundation in intervals, pitch patterns, metric/rhythmic patterns, chords, and the terms that are part of a basic understanding of reading, performing, and listening to music. Analysis, elementary composition, aural skills, sight-singing, and keyboard harmony will also be studied. Students who complete this course are encouraged to take the associated Advanced Placement examination and may earn college credit if a qualifying score is achieved.

Fundamentals / Ear Training I: UCONN
Humanities
Course Code: 975U
Credits:  0.5
Grade: All
Weight: AP/Post Secondary
Schools: WAMS ONLY
The purpose of this course is to help students develop their individual music skills. The course focuses on sight singing and ear training, with an emphasis on building foundational abilities in note reading, rhythm, meter, pitch symbols, scales, key signatures, intervals, triads, and dictation. No previous formal training is required; however, completion of at least one year of preparatory work in a high school music performance course—such as band, choir, guitar, jazz, modern band, orchestra, piano, or musical theater—is strongly recommended. 

Fundamentals / Ear Training II: UCONN
Humanities
Course Code: 976U
Credits:  0.5
Grade: All
Weight: AP/Post Secondary
Schools: WAMS ONLY
Prerequisite: Fundamentals/Ear Training I (Passing with a C or higher)
The purpose of this course is to further dive into the of Fundamentals / Ear Training I (979U) and is designed to further develop students’ individual music skills through advanced sight singing and ear training. Building on the foundations established in the first semester, students will deepen their understanding of rhythmic and melodic dictation, intervals, scales, key signatures, triads, and basic harmonic functions. Additional focus will be placed on more complex pitch and rhythmic patterns, as well as increased fluency in solfège and aural recognition.