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This is a repost of the music portion of the official Westhill High School Course Catalog, also available at the Westhill High School Guidance Department Website. This is a comprehensive list of all credit-bearing music courses offered at WHS. In addition to these classes, the department offers many additional ensembles and activities such as Pep Band, Pit Band, performance in the Musical, Chamber Music, Mens' Ensemble (choral), and Womens' Ensemble (choral), the Tri-M National Honor Society for Music, and more.
* Concert Choir, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Comprehensive Music may be used to satisfy the Art/Music requirement of one unit of credit for all students at Westhill High School.
Westhill High School Music Course Catalog
Westhill High School Music Course Catalog
861 WIND ENSEMBLE*
Prerequisites: Students are selected based on the outcome of an audition and must maintain a high level of musicianship.
40 weeks One Unit Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12
Wind Ensemble is an instrumental performance ensemble. Members are required to rehearse and perform difficult music (NYSSMA Level 5-6+) with a high level of musicianship. Each student is required to attend a weekly instrumental music lesson and is encouraged to arrange private music lessons outside of school to maintain and improve his/her level of musicianship. Students who do not maintain a high level of musicianship can be reassigned to another ensemble at the Band director’s discretion. Attendance is mandatory for all performances and rehearsals, some of which are scheduled beyond regular school hours. Activities include several concert performances, voluntary solo and small ensemble experiences, music festival attendance, and for those who qualify, All-County and All-State organization memberships.
862 CONCERT CHOIR*
Prerequisites: Ability to match pitch. Transfer and WHS students wishing to join may start upon successful completion of an audition given by the Chorus Director (no prerequisites/audition for students continuing from OHMS).
40 weeks One Unit Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12
Concert Choir is a vocal organization for students who love to sing and perform a wide variety of choral literature. Vocal technique, music reading, and musicianship are emphasized. Each student is required to sing in class and have the ability to hold their part in a section, quartet, and by themselves. Students are required to attend all concerts and a bi-weekly group vocal lesson. Private vocal instruction outside of school is encouraged but not required. Concert Choir activities include at least one concert per quarter, music festivals, and the opportunity to audition for All-County and All-State choirs. The purchase of specific concert performance attire, chosen by the director, is required.
863 WESTHILL SINGERS
Prerequisites: Must be a member of Concert Choir and audition for membership.
40 weeks One-Half Unit Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12
Westhill Singers is a select vocal organization. Attendance is mandatory for all rehearsals and performances, some of which may be scheduled beyond regular school hours. Westhill Singers’ activities shall include several performances in the Westhill District and Central N.Y. community. Opportunities will be available for solo and small ensemble experiences. On an advanced level, there will be emphasis on voice training as a performing instrument.
864 SYMPHONIC BAND*
Prerequisites: Beginners and transfer students may start upon successful completion of an audition given by the Band Director (no prerequisites/audition for students continuing from the WHS Concert Band).
40 weeks One Unit Grade Levels: 10, 11, 12
Symphonic Band is a large-group instrumental performance ensemble that rehearses and performs a wide variety of music (NYSSMA Level 3-4+). All students who meet the above prerequisites are eligible to perform with the Symphonic Band. Each student is required to attend a weekly instrumental music lesson and is encouraged to arrange private music lessons outside of school to maintain and improve his/her level of musicianship. Attendance is mandatory for all performances and rehearsals, some of which are scheduled beyond regular school hours. Band activities include several concert performances, voluntary solo and small ensemble experiences, music festival attendance, and for those who qualify, All-County and All-State organization memberships. Special note: Non-graduating students are required to perform at the Westhill High School graduation ceremony on the Saturday following the close of school.
875 CONCERT BAND*
Prerequisites: Beginners and transfer students may start upon successful completion of an audition given by the Band Director (no prerequisites/audition for students continuing from the OHMS Bands).
40 weeks One Unit Grade Level: 9
Concert Band is a large-group instrumental performance ensemble that rehearses and performs a wide-variety of music (NYSSMA Level 3+). All students who meet the above prerequisites are eligible to perform with the Concert Band. Each student is required to attend a weekly instrumental music lesson and is encouraged to arrange private music lessons outside of school to maintain and improve his/her level of musicianship. Attendance is mandatory for all performances and rehearsals, some of which are scheduled beyond regular school hours. Band activities include several concert performances, voluntary solo and small ensemble experiences, music festival attendance, and for those who qualify, All-County and All-State organization memberships. Special note: Non-graduating students are required to perform at the Westhill High School graduation ceremony on the Saturday following the close of school.
866 BIG BAND
Prerequisites: Membership in Symphonic Band, Concert Band or Wind Ensemble (exception for piano, guitar and bass), or permission of instructor; must audition and play appropriate instrument; must maintain a high level of musicianship.
40 weeks One-Half Unit Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12
Jazz Ensemble rehearses and performs a variety of jazz, rock, and pop music. Rehearsals will be held outside of the eleven period school day.
867 JAZZ LAB (AWESOME BAND)
Prerequisites: Membership in Symphonic Band, Concert Band or Wind Ensemble (exception for piano, guitar and bass), or permission of instructor.
40 weeks One-Half Unit Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12
Jazz lab rehearses once per week, and performs a variety of jazz, rock, and pop music. All Westhill instrumental music students, on any band or rhythm section instrument, are eligible to participate. Rehearsals will be held outside of the eleven period school day.
868 OCTANE VOCAL ENSEMBLE
Prerequisites: Must be a member of Concert Choir and audition for membership.
40 weeks One-Half Unit Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12
Octane meets one evening per week. Attendance is mandatory for all rehearsals and performances. Students will learn vocal jazz technique, microphone technique, improvisation, and will sing with the Jazz Ensemble or a Rhythm Section. Opportunities will be available for solos.
869 WESTHILL PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
Prerequisites: Membership in Concert Band, Symphonic Band, or Wind Ensemble (or permission of instructor).
40 weeks One-Half Unit Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12
Percussion Ensemble is a large-group percussion performance group, which rehearses outside the eleven period school day. Due to the performance schedule, Percussion Ensemble will occasionally meet more than once per week in the evening or on the weekend. Percussion Ensemble performs a wide variety of Brazilian, World, and concert percussion music. All student musicians who perform in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band who maintain a passing grade in those courses are permitted to perform with the group. Percussion Ensemble activities may include field trips to hear other percussion ensembles, and performances and clinics in the greater Central New York Area. Opportunities will be available for solo, small group, and full ensemble performances. Students will learn, study, create, and perform drumming from Brazilian culture and the course will balance a study of music, drumming, and dance originating in Africa and Brazil and traditional concert percussion literature.
870 MUSIC THOERY *
Prerequisite: Ability to read music. Membership in Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, or Concert Choir (or permission of instructor).
40 weeks One Unit Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12
Music Theory 1 is an entry level Music Theory course aligned with the new National Arts Standards and focused on music theory, creativity through the performance of and composition of music, and integration of music technology. Music Theory 1 integrates aspects of melody, harmony, rhythm, form, analysis, and composition. Emphasis is placed on reading and writing musical notation. Students recognize, describe, and apply the basic materials and processes of music through an integrated approach, which includes aural, written, creative, and analytical components. Students will interact with music through hand-written assignments, as well as assignments utilizing notation software and digital audio workstations.
873 STUDIO MUSIC
Prerequisite: None
40 weeks One Unit Grade Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12
Studio Music is a one-year course offered to students who have an interest in listening to music and learning about how it is produced. Students will learn basic skills that are used in the music industry while developing a deeper understanding of the elements of music. Students will be exposed to careers in the 21st century job market such as sound engineering, sound design, music production, and sound editing. Projects will include creating loop based arrangements, ambient soundscapes incorporating Foley sound effects, and original productions using MIDI sequencing techniques. Students should have an interest in listening to music, exploring the basic elements of music, and creating music using digital tools.
* Concert Choir, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Music Theory may be used to satisfy the Art/Music requirement of one unit of credit for all students at Westhill High School.
OTHER SMALL/CHAMBER ENSEMBLES
Students enrolled in any of the grade 6-12 bands may have the opportunity to participate in Chamber Music/Small Ensembles through lessons and/or band. The ensembles change from year to year based on band enrollment and interest. These groups perform at concerts and events throughout the year, and all perform at the Small Ensembles concert in May. Small Ensembles have included, at the Middle, High, and Combined levels: Brass Ensemble, Brass Quintet, Concert Percussion Ensemble, Trumpet Ensemble, Horn Ensemble, Low Brass Ensemble, Trombone Choir, Flute Ensembles, Clarinet Ensembles, Saxophone Ensembles, Double Reed Ensembles, and others.
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