The Instrumental Music Curriculum will provide opportunities for students to develop advanced performance skills on instruments from the five families of musical instruments - woodwinds, brasses, percussion, strings and keyboard. The curriculum will also provide opportunities for students to develop skills and techniques that are used to compose and arrange music for a wide variety of instrument and voice combinations.
Students will develop performance skills by performing in large and small ensembles, and will also receive individual instruction on their major instruments. Students will acquire skills and knowledge needed to cope with the business of music in the world of professional musicians.
Four cycles of instruction on each instrument - beginning, intermediate, advanced and specialty - will enable students to develop to an advanced level of proficiency on their major instrument. Students will be given a solid foundation in music theory, harmony, composition, arranging and music history, which will provide a springboard for development of skills in performance, improvisation, composition, arranging and understanding music.
A wide variety of performing ensembles will provide experiences in symphonic bands and orchestras; jazz bands, orchestras and combos; marching band; and numerous small woodwind, brass, percussion and string ensembles.
Students will be exposed to music from all historical periods and will develop personal repertoires of music that will prepare and enable them to successfully audition for college, university and conservatory music departments. Students will also develop portfolios of small and large compositions and arrangements that demonstrate the skills and abilities that have been acquired through required courses and practical experiences in the world of work.
Students will be able to:
| 9th Grade (First Semester) | 9th Grade (Second Semester) |
|
Pre-AP English 1 |
Pre-AP English 2 Pre-AP Algebra 2 U.S. History 2 Introduction to Natural Science (INS) 2 Health Music Theory 1 Ensemble 2 Applied Music |
| 10th Grade (First Semester) | 10th Grade (Second Semester) |
| Pre-AP English 3 Geometry 1 AP Economics or Government AP Biology 1 Spanish 1 Ensemble 3 Music Theory 2 Applied Music |
Pre-AP English 4 Geometry 2 AP Economics or Government AP Biology 2 Spanish 2 Ensemble 4 Music Theory 2 Applied Music |
| 11th Grade (First Semester) | 11th Grade (Second Semester) |
| AP English 5 Algebra 3 Global Issues or Geography AP Chemistry 1 Spanish 3 Ensemble 5 Music Theory 3 Applied Music |
AP English 6 Algebra 4 Global Issues or Geography AP Chemistry 2 Spanish 4 Ensemble 6 Music Theory 4 Applied Music |
| 12th Grade (First Semester) | 12th Grade (Second Semester) |
| AP English 7 Pre-Calculus 1 or AP Calculus 1 AP Physics 1 Spanish 5 Harmony Composition and Arranging 1 Ensemble 7 Music History Instrumental Elective Applied Music |
AP English 8 Pre-Calculus 2 or AP Calculus 2 AP Physics 2 Spanish 6 Harmony Composition and Arranging 2 Ensemble 8 Instrumental Ensemble Instrumental Ensemble Applied Music |
1Students are required to enroll in 8 classes.
2Elective classes are italicized
3Double Period Class
Beginning Music Theory
This entry-level course is a comprehensive study of the basic skills for reading and notating music, terminology, identification of key signatures, the circle of fifths, major and minor scales, rhythm and time signatures. Students will learn to recognize and notate intervals, triads and simple chords, and notate rhythms. Instructional topics include an introduction to phrase and period structure, form, analytical writing, dictation, and keyboard harmony skills are introduced and developed.
Prerequisites: None
Intermediate Music Theory
This intermediate-level course is a continuation of Music Theory 2, including remaining diatonic triads, supertonic- and subdominant-seventh chords, tonicization of V in major and minor and of III in minor; special six-three and the cadential six-four chord usages, small binary and ternary forms. Students will learn concepts of form and analysis and the elementary principles of composition and arranging, analytical, writing, dictation, and keyboard harmony skills are further developed including melodic and rhythmic figuration, modal mixture, the diminished-seventh chord, remaining diatonic seventh chords, applied dominant and leading-tone chords, and diatonic modulation.
Prerequisites: Music Theory 1 or Instructor Approval
(7070) Harmony Composition & Arranging
This course teaches music composition in its beginning stages; practice in phrase, section, and short form construction, analysis, and writing; instruction in range, characteristics, and idiom of instruments and voices. Students will study diatonic and chromatic harmony: and melodic and rhythmic configurations, in the areas of intervals, scales, chords, rhythm, melody, and harmony. Classroom instruction will focus on the conceptual process of combining individual components to create a musically satisfying arrangement. Students will develop original compositions in small forms and apply the writing processes to solo and background writing for two-, three-, four-, and five-part combinations of voices and instruments. This course will also introduce students to digital and MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) sequencing technology to create and produce scores and tracks of either original or existing thematic material using a music writing workstation.
Prerequisites: Intermediate Music Theory or Instructor Approval
(7270) Music History
Course Description: This is a survey of stylistic developments in music from A.D. 500 to the present. Focus is on the classics of Western art music with attention given to stylistic concepts and musical techniques from non-Western cultures.
Prerequisite- Student must be a senior
Strings-I (Strings or Beginning Strings)
Course Description: This Cycle One course affords basic training in the care, assembly, tuning and performing on the stringed instruments of the orchestra, excluding guitar and harp. Fundamentals of playing and caring for stringed instruments are introduced. Ear training and scale studies are incorporated into group lessons as the music elements - melody, rhythm, harmony and timbre are introduced and explored.
Prerequisite: None
Instrumental 1-4
Course Description: These courses provide training - from the basics to advanced - on instruments from the four families - woodwinds, brasses, percussion and strings and are designed to provide opportunities for music majors to learn to play instruments other than their major instrument.
Prerequisite: None for Instrumental I; each preceding course for Instrumental II-IV.
Ensembles:
Beginning Ensemble
Intermediate Ensemble (this is a double period class)
Performance Workshop/Advanced Ensemble (this is a double period class)
Course Description: Along with participation in an advanced ensemble, this course teaches basic concert etiquette for the performer and audience member and is taught through the use of in class performances that will help students combat performance anxiety. Performing arts majors perform for each other and exchange constructive comments that are designed to help them with diction, technique, interpretation, presentation and showmanship. Topics discussed also include practice technique, attire, performance preparation and careers in the arts.
Prerequisites: Junior and Senior status as a vocal or instrumental performance major This is a double period class
These ensembles include:
Band-A (Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony or Symphonic Winds)
Course Description: This advanced level ensemble - also titled by any one of the above names - will perform a variety of challenging symphonic and concert literature encompassing several musical periods and styles of writing. Repertoire will consist of music that was composed or arranged for the concert band, symphonic band or wind symphony, as well as orchestral transcriptions for each. Participation in this course will help to prepare students for entry into college, university or conservatory ensembles. This is a one-semester course, however, continuous participation until graduation is recommended after qualifying.
Prerequisite: Completion of Cycles 1 and 2 of instrumental music instruction - including (7010) Band B or the equivalent, or Instructor Approval and audition.
Band-B (Concert or Varsity Band)
Course Description: This intermediate level course exposes the participant to a wide variety of band compositions and presents an opportunity for the student to develop the skills necessary for performing with the most advanced large ensemble with full instrumentation. This training unit for Band-A will expose its members to a variety of compositions arranged or composed for the concert, symphonic and marching bands, as well as orchestral transcriptions. Students will increase their knowledge of the concepts and characteristics of good ensemble performance.
Prerequisite: Completion of Cycle 1 music instruction - (7050) Winds 1 & (7051) Winds-2, or (7390) Percussion-1, or the equivalent.
Band-C (Intermediate or Varsity Band)
Course Description: Students will apply skills acquired in a Beginning or Cycle One instrumental music class or applied music setting to improving their performance in a larger ensemble setting with increased instrumentation. This course will present opportunities for developing students to improve skills and techniques necessary to move into Band-B.
Prerequisite: Completion of Cycle One instrumental music instruction or Instructor Approval.
Marching Band
Course Description: This course introduces and develops the fundamentals of marching band technique such as parade and street marching, field show pageantry, dancing routines and precision drills. The ensemble will perform regularly at school football games, community events, special parades and other invitational activities.
Prerequisite: Completion of Cycles One and Two instrumental music instruction; simultaneous enrollment in Band-A or Band-B is required.
Stage Band
Course Description: Rhythm and blues, folk, rock, jazz, gospel, soul and other pop music styles will be performed by this ensemble with emphasis placed on developing ensemble playing, as opposed to developing individual improvisational skills. This ensemble may be composed of the traditional "big band "instrumentation - saxophones, trumpets, trombones, rhythm section, and augmented with non-traditional instruments.
Prerequisite: Completion of Cycles One and Two of instrumental music and Instructor Approval Simultaneous enrollment in a Cycle Three instrumental or vocal music performing ensemble is required.
Orchestra A
Course Description: This is a full orchestra class consisting of strings, woodwinds, brasses and percussion instruments. Students will study, rehearse and perform compositions from all periods of music history written for the full orchestra. Students will learn the advanced fundamentals of orchestral musicianship and will develop fluency in the art of orchestral performance.
Prerequisites: Completion of Cycles One and Two of String Instruction, Audition, Instructor Approval
Orchestra B
Course Requirements: Orchestra B is a performing ensemble that introduces students to the full orchestral instrumentation of strings, woodwinds, brasses and percussion. Students will study, rehearse and perform easier compositions from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern and Contemporary periods. Students will develop the basic fundamentals of orchestral musicianship and performance.
Prerequisites: Completion of Cycle One (Beginning, Elementary) of instrumental music instruction for string players and completion of Cycles One and Two for Woodwind, Brass and Percussion instrumentalists.
String Orchestra
Course Description: This course is a performance class that focuses on learning chamber music techniques as well as the repertoire for a string orchestra. Students will learn the rehearsal techniques necessary for good ensemble playing. Students will study a variety of works from periods of music history, with an emphasis on literature that will help to develop musical strength in ensemble performances.
Prerequisites: Completion of Cycles One and Two of instrumental music instruction and Instructor Approval.
Jazz Ensemble
Course Description: Rhythm and Blues, traditional jazz, contemporary jazz, Latin jazz, swing, Be-Bop and fusion jazz styles will be studied and performed by this ensemble with strong emphasis placed on developing the improvisational skills of the individual student. The instrumentation of this ensemble will consist of the traditional instruments of the jazz band - saxophones, trumpets, trombones, piano, guitar, string bass, drum set, auxiliary percussion and vocalists. Saxophonists will be taught to double on other woodwinds and trumpet players will be required to double on the fluglehorn.
Prerequisites: Completion of Cycles One and Two of instrumental music instruction, Instructor Approval, audition, and simultaneous membership in a Cycle Three instrumental music class.
Jazz Orchestra
Course Description: This course offers the same opportunities as Jazz Ensemble, but is designed for the development of string players in the various styles of jazz music. The stringed instruments of the orchestra are also accompanied by a rhythm section. Emphasis is placed on developing the improvisational skills of the individual student.
Prerequisites: Completion of Cycles I and II of instrumental music, Instructor Approval and simultaneous membership in a Cycle III ensemble.
Winds-I
Course Description: This Cycle One course provides training in the care, assembly, tuning and performing on band instruments. Embouchure development, appropriate playing position, posture, the technical fundamentals of good tone production, fingerings and articulation are introduced in this course. The basic musical elements - melody, rhythm, harmony and timbre are introduced.
Prerequisite: None
Winds-II
Course Description: This Cycle One course is a continuation of the training offered in Winds-I - with more detail given to improving the individual tone quality and music reading skills, as well as expanding the students' playing range.
Prerequisite: Completion of Winds-1 or the recommendation of a private teacher.