1 credit

An experiential group vocal music class. Daily rehearsals will consist of vocal training, study of music fundamentals, and preparation of vocal literature. Attendance at daily classes and performances are integral and required parts of the course.  An enthusiasm for singing is required for this course.  No audition is required.  This course fulfills the art/music requirement for graduation.

1 credit

Prerequisite: 1 year Concert Chorus 

Choir will focus on singing a cappella and accompanied vocal music from many musical periods. Styles range from medieval music through current pop and jazz literature. Students will work in small ensembles in addition to performing as a full choir. Improvement in vocal technique, sight-singing, and musicianship will be stressed. Attendance at daily rehearsals, weekly scheduled lessons, concerts and performances are required.   This course fulfills the art/music requirement for graduation.

1 credit

In addition to regular course requirements, students choosing the Honors option must prepare and perform before a NYSSMA adjudicator at the regularly scheduled Zone 11 Up-County NYSSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival, a Grade 6 or Grade 5 Solo.  Only this performance at the Up-County Festival will be considered to qualify for honors credit.  No performance in any other festival, venue, or rehearing is acceptable.  Only students receiving a score of 95 or above on a Grade 6 solo or ensemble; or a score of 97 or above on a Grade 5 solo or ensemble will receive the ‘Honors’ designation on their transcript and Level I weighting.  During the course selection process, students should select Choir.  Students eligible for the Honors designation will be selected upon successful completion of the state requirements. This credit will replace the regular grade for the entire school year in which the solo was performed.

1 credit

The major objective of Concert Band is to provide a greater knowledge and enjoyment of music through participation. Students will be guided to improve their technical and musical skills and learn a "how to" approach to practicing.  The Concert Band will study a wide variety of musical genres. Performances take place throughout the year and are an integral and required part of the course. In addition to daily rehearsals, all students are required to attend one group lesson each week and are responsible for practicing at home.  Concert Band is open only to students currently enrolled in band OR by permission of instructor. This course fulfills the art/music requirement for graduation.

1 credit

Prerequisite: Permission of/audition by the director

View video above for concert band

This course allows selected students to accomplish honors level work directly related to the Concert Band curriculum. In addition to regular course requirements, students choosing the Honors option must prepare and perform before a NYSSMA adjudicator at the regularly scheduled Zone 11 Up-County NYSSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival, a Grade 6 or Grade 5 Solo.  Only this performance at the Up-County Festival will be considered to qualify for honors credit.  No performance in any other festival, venue, or rehearsing is acceptable.  Only students receiving a score of 95 or above on a Grade 6 solo or ensemble; or a score of 97 or above on a Grade 5 solo or ensemble will receive the ‘Honors’ designation on their transcript and Level I weighting.  During the course selection process, students should select Concert Band.  Students eligible for the Honors designation will be selected upon successful completion of the state requirements.

 No credit

Prerequisite: Enrollment in Concert Band, Wind Ensemble or Orchestra

The Jazz Band will explore a wide variety of musical material using classic big band instrumentation. Members of the Jazz Band will study a variety of jazz styles, learn basic improvisation techniques, and become familiar with characteristic jazz rhythms, articulations, and forms. Rehearsals occur one evening each week. The day and time are based on student and director availability. School and community performances will take place throughout the year and are an integral and required part of the course. Only students who are enrolled in a credited instrumental ensemble are eligible to participate in the Jazz Band. 

1 credit

Prerequisite: NYSSMA Solo Proficiency at Level IV Difficulty – by audition only

Participation in the Wind Ensemble is open to 10th-12th graders, and is by audition only. The major objective is to provide knowledge and enjoyment of music through participation. The Wind Ensemble will play a wide variety of music drawn from advanced literature, which will be performed in school and community concerts, festivals, and competitions. Performances take place throughout the year and are an integral and required part of the course. In addition to daily rehearsals, all students are required to attend one group lesson each week and are responsible for practicing at home. 

 1 credit

Prerequisite: Permission of/audition by the director

This course allows selected students to accomplish honors level work directly related to the Wind Ensemble curriculum. In addition to regular course requirements, students choosing the Honors option must prepare and perform before a NYSSMA adjudicator at the regularly scheduled Zone 11 Up-County NYSSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival, a Grade 6 or Grade 5 Solo.  Only this performance at the Up-County Festival will be considered to qualify for honors credit.  No performance in any other festival, venue, or rehearing is acceptable.  Only students receiving a score of 95 or above on a Grade 6 solo or ensemble; or a score of 97 or above on a Grade 5 solo or ensemble will receive the ‘Honors’ designation on their transcript and Level I weighting.  During the course selection process, students should select Wind Ensemble.  Students eligible for the Honors designation will be selected upon successful completion of the state requirements.

1 credit 

Open to grades 9-12

Prerequisite: Permission of director

 The High School Studio Orchestra is for 9th grade string players and for players from 10 – 12 grades who would like to review fundamental string technique and musicianship skills.  Emphasis is placed on acquiring key knowledge, rhythmic pattern familiarity, and ensemble playing skills.  A wide range of music will be studied and performed throughout the year.  The students are responsible for daily preparations and home practice.  In addition to daily rehearsals, all students are required to attend one group lesson each week.  Performances take place throughout the year and are an integral and required part of the course.  An instrument and a metronome are required. An instrument, metronome, and tuner are required. This course fulfills the art/music requirement for graduation. 

1 credit

Prerequisite: Permission of/audition by the director

This course allows selected students to accomplish honors level work directly related to the Studio Orchestra curriculum. In addition to regular course requirements, students choosing the Honors option must prepare and perform before a NYSSMA adjudicator at the regularly scheduled Zone 11 Up-County NYSSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival, a Grade 6 or Grade 5 Solo.  Only this performance at the Up-County Festival will be considered to qualify for honors credit.  No performance in any other festival, venue, or rehearsing is acceptable.  Only students receiving a score of 95 or above on a Grade 6 solo or ensemble; or a score of 97 or above on a Grade 5 solo or ensemble will receive the ‘Honors’ designation on their transcript and Level I weighting.  During the course selection process, students should select Studio Orchestra.  Students eligible for the Honors designation will be selected upon successful completion of the state requirements.

1 credit

Grades 10-12 only

Prerequisite: Prior Participation in Studio Orchestra, audition, and Permission by Director

Yorktown High School Concert Orchestra is for students in the 10 – 12th grades by audition only.  A minimum solo proficiency comparable to NYSSMA level 4 is expected for successfully completing the requirements of this course.  A wide range of music will be studied and performed through the year.  Emphasis is placed on learning standard, professional string orchestra repertoire as well as learning the performance practices of different historical musical eras.  The students are responsible for daily preparation and home practice. In addition to daily rehearsals, all students are required to attend one group lesson each week.  Performances take place throughout the year and are an integral and required part of the course.  An instrument, metronome, and tuner are required. 

1 credit

Prerequisite:  Permission by the director 

This course allows selected students to accomplish honors level work directly related to the Concert Orchestra curriculum. In addition to regular course requirements, students choosing the Honors option must prepare and perform before a NYSSMA adjudicator at the regularly scheduled Zone 11 Up-County NYSSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival, a Grade 6 or Grade 5 Solo.  Only this performance at the Up-County Festival will be considered to qualify for honors credit.  No performance in any other festival, venue, or rehearing is acceptable.  Only students receiving a score of 95 or above on a Grade 6 solo or ensemble; or a score of 97 or above on a Grade 5 solo or ensemble will receive the ‘Honors’ designation on their transcript and Level I weighting.  During the course selection process, students should select Concert Orchestra.  Students eligible for the Honors designation will be selected upon successful completion of the state requirements.

1 credit

Open to grades 9-12

Music in Our Lives is a general music class with an emphasis on learning music by making music. Students learn various topics and musical concepts and practice these through assignments on Garageband. Assignments include composition, remixing, melodic dictation, creating drum beats, creating ringtones, and creating movie scores. Students will also learn basic ukulele skills, such as reading and playing chords, reading and playing tablature, and reading and playing musical notation. Students will also learn how to play hand drums and learn different styles of drumming and how to play various drumming rhythms.  This course fulfills the art/music requirement for graduation.

Music Theory - 1 credit  (NOT offered in 2025-26)

Open to grades 10-12

Prerequisite: BASIC MUSIC READING ABILITY!!!

Music Theory is a course designed to study the structure of music. Units of study will include chord progressions, composition, history, scale/key relationships, score reading, and ear-training. Additional units of study will include computer sessions. Music Theory is required for a five unit sequence in music.  This course fulfills the art/music requirement for graduation.

AP Music Theory – Advanced Placement – 1 credit  

Offered on alternate years

Prerequisite: Music Theory

Designed for advanced level study of Music Theory, this course will give the motivated student a comprehensive understanding of music and its structures. Specific topics of study will include: a brief review of fundamentals; investigation and application of compositional techniques; form and analysis, historical perspectives on selected composers and their works, ear training and sight singing.  At the culmination of the course, students will be prepared to take the AP Music Theory exam.