The music department offers a variety of opportunities for all students. The performance organizations including bands, orchestras, and choirs, along with music theory, comprise the main portion of the program. Applied music credit can be granted for private lessons outside of school. All music courses, except Voice Class and private lessons, may be used to fulfill the one unit of Art/Music required for graduation. Students desiring a five-unit sequence in music must take at least two units of performance (Band, Orchestra, Choir) plus Studio Music & Music Theory II, and AP Music Theory.
0600 Studio Music
20 weeks, 1/2 credit, Grades 9-12, Every day, fall semester
Studio Music is an introduction to the concepts of music theory in a technology rich environment. Students will complete projects that might be common in a professional studio, including jingle writing, soundtracks, and other commercial music. Projects will be produced and recorded with available software, such as Sibelius, Finale, Garage Band, and Audacity. Students will develop the necessary skills for project performance using a variety of instruments (keyboard, guitar, voice, etc.). Students do not need any music background in order to sign up for Studio Music. This course is a prerequisite for Music Theory II.
0601 MUSIC THEORY II
20 weeks, 1/2 credit, Grades 9-12, Every day, spring semester
Prerequisite: Studio Music or permission of instructor.
This curriculum is a continuation of the concepts from Studio Music. Students will focus on tonal harmony, both in writing and analysis. Students must have C or above in Studio Music to enroll in Theory II. This course is required for those who want a major sequence is music.
0602 MUSIC THEORY III AP
40 weeks, 1 credit, Grades 9-12, Every day
Prerequisite: Music Theory II or permission of instructor.
This course offers additional instruction that prepares students to take the AP Music Theory exam. A large component of this class is ear training and sight singing. Students may elect to take the AP Music Theory exam.
0627 SYMPHONIC BAND
40 weeks, 1 credit, Grades 9-12, Every day
Prerequisite: Permission of the Director.
This is the course for 9th grade students who have participated in the middle school band program or who can demonstrate reasonable proficiency on a band instrument. The Symphonic Band consists of all wind (woodwind and brass) and percussion instruments. The band performs a wide selection of musical compositions throughout the year. In-school instrumental lessons are required as a part of this program. Wind and percussion players in String Orchestra are selected from Symphonic Band. Membership in Concert Band, Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble is required to participate in Jazz Band or Jazz Ensemble (excluding guitar, piano and bass). Wind Ensemble and Concert Band members may also take Symphonic Band.
0610 CONCERT BAND
40 weeks, 1 credit, Grades 10-12, Every day
Prerequisite: Permission of the Director.
This is the course for students in grade 10-12 who have participated in the middle school band program or who can demonstrate reasonable proficiency on a band instrument. The Concert Band consists of all wind (woodwind and brass) and percussion instruments. The band performs a wide selection of musical compositions throughout the year. In-school instrumental lessons are required as a part of this program. Wind and percussion players in Concert Orchestra are selected from Concert Band. Membership in Concert Band, Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble is required to participate in Jazz Band or Jazz Ensemble (excluding guitar, piano and bass). Wind Ensemble members may also take Concert Band.
0612 WIND ENSEMBLE
40 weeks, 1 credit, Grades 9-12, Every day
Prerequisite: Audition and Permission of the Director.
The Wind Ensemble, which meets daily, is a select group of wind, brass, and percussion players whose membership is determined by an audition. The audition takes place in February of each year. Students not selected for the Wind Ensemble take Concert Band. In-school instrumental lessons are required as a part of the Wind Ensemble program. The Wind Ensemble performs a wide selection of musical compositions throughout the year. Wind and Percussion players in Symphony Orchestra are selected from Wind Ensemble. Membership in either Concert Band or Wind Ensemble is required to participate in Jazz Band or Jazz Ensemble (guitar and piano excluded). Wind Ensemble members may also take Concert Band. This course is not available alternate days.
0629 STRING ORCHESTRA
40 weeks, 1 credit, Grades 9-12, Every day
Prerequisite: Permission of the Director.
String Orchestra meets daily and performs many types of music, including classical and popular, throughout the year. In-school instrumental lessons are required as a part of this program. Membership in String Orchestra, Concert Orchestra or Symphony Orchestra is required to be a member of Chamber Orchestra. All ninth grade string players will be placed in String Orchestra. Symphony Orchestra and Concert Orchestra members may also take String Orchestra. Bass players interested in Jazz Band or Jazz Ensemble must be members of String Orchestra, Concert Orchestra or Symphony Orchestra.
0630 CONCERT ORCHESTRA: Strings
40 weeks, 1 credit, Grades 10-12, Every day
Prerequisite: Permission of the Director.
Concert Orchestra Strings meet daily and may be joined by the Winds, Brass and Percussion twice a week to form a full orchestra. The orchestra performs many types of music, including classical and popular, throughout the year. In-school instrumental lessons are required as a part of this program. Membership in String Orchestra, Concert Orchestra or Symphony Orchestra is required to be a member of Chamber Orchestra. Symphony Orchestra members may also take Concert Orchestra. Bass players interested in Jazz Band or Jazz Ensemble must be members of String Orchestra, Concert Orchestra or Symphony Orchestra.
0632 SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Strings
40 weeks, 1 credit, Grades 10-12, Every day
Prerequisite: Audition and Permission of the Director.
The Symphony Orchestra, which meets daily, is a select group of string players. They are joined by the Winds, Brass and Percussion to form a full orchestra. Membership is determined by audition. The audition typically takes place in February each year. Students not selected for Symphony Orchestra will take Concert Orchestra. Symphony Orchestra performs a variety of music throughout the year. In-school instrumental lessons are required as a part of this program. Students must be enrolled in String or Concert Orchestra at the time of auditioning for Symphony Orchestra. Membership in String Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, or Symphony Orchestra is required to audition for Chamber Orchestra. Symphony Orchestra is not available alternate days. Bass players interested in Jazz Band or Jazz Ensemble must be members of String Orchestra, Concert Orchestra or Symphony Orchestra.
0634 CONCERT CHOIR
40 weeks, 1/2 credit, Grades 9-12, Alternate days
No Prerequisite
Those who love to sing should sign up for Concert Choir. Rehearsals emphasize vocal techniques, sight reading and a general study of choral music as an art form. Students will learn how to breathe to create a better, healthier sound. Students must be enrolled in a curricular choir in order to audition for Swing and/or A Cappella Choir.
0635 VOICE CLASS
40 weeks, 1/2 credit, Grades 9-12, Alternate days
In this course, vocal techniques and solo literature are studied. Broadway, Classical, Jazz and Pop solos are included in the repertoire.
0638 PRIVATE LESSONS
40 weeks, 1/2 credit, Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: Permission of the District Music Coordinator
Students who take private music lessons may receive 1/2 unit of credit per year, providing all requirements are met. Students wishing credit for private lessons must apply with the District Music Coordinator by October 1. This credit does not meet the Regents requirement for a unit of Music/Art student credit and does not satisfy any in-school requirements.
0639 CHORALE
40 weeks, 1 credit, Grades 10-12, Every day
Prerequisite: Audition and permission of the Director.
The chorale, which meets daily is a select group of vocalists whose membership is determined by audition. These auditions typically take place in February. Chorale performs a variety of music from Baroque to Modern. Students learn the concepts of blend, ear training and good vocal technique. Students are required to sight sing every day. Students must be enrolled in a curricular choir in order to audition for Swing 16 and/or A Cappella Choir. This course is not available alternate days.