Middle/Upper School Music

Middle School Chorus
Full Year Course
Students entering middle School Chorus have already experienced singing in two-part harmony. They will be familiar with basic rhythmic values and the do-re-mi syllables. They will be able to follow choral music and the music director. In Middle School Chorus, standard choral literature in three-part harmony from the classical western repertoire will be studied. Students will be taught to sight -sing using the movable do-re-mi solfeggio system, as well as sight-singing by note letter name. Beginning intervallic identification is taught. Students will perform in concerts by memory. Intonation, dynamics, articulation, rhythmic accuracy, and balance are emphasized.

Middle School String Ensemble
Full Year Course
Students entering Middle School String Ensemble will have completed two years of string ensemble instruction in grades 5 and 6. They will be familiar with the G, D, A, and E major scales, be able to read music at level 2, and follow a conductor. In Middle School String Ensemble, standard literature from the classical Western literature will be studied. Students will increase their knowledge of major scales, and add minor scales to their list of scales learned. Concert pieces will feature pieces rehearsed through the school year. Intonation, dynamics, articulation, and rhythmic accuracy will be emphasized. The development of independent practice habits is expected.

Middle School Band
Full Year Course
Students entering Middle School Band will have completed 2 years of band instruction in grades 5 and 6. They will be familiar with the B flat, E flat, A flat and D flat major scales, be able to read music at level 2, and be able to follow a conductor. In Middle School Band, standard band literature from classical western repertoire will be studied. Students will be taught 12 major scales and the chromatic scale. Concert performances will feature pieces rehearsed through the school year. Intonation, dynamics, articulation, and rhythmic accuracy will be emphasized. The development of independent practice habits is expected.

Advanced Chorus – Grades 9-12
Full Year Course 1 credit
Students entering Advanced Chorus have already been successful at singing in three-part harmony. They will be familiar with basic note values and the movable do-re-mi solfeggio system in C, G, D, and F major. They will be able to read choral music and follow the music director. In Advanced Chorus, standard literature in four-part harmony from classical western repertoire will be studied. Students will continue to develop their sight-singing skills, using the movable do solfeggio system as well as identifying note names. Intervallic identification will be taught. Students will perform in concerts by memory. Intonation, dynamics, articulation, rhythmic accuracy, and balance are emphasized.

Instrumental Ensemble – Grades 9-12
Full Year Course 1 credit
This course is open to Upper School students who are beginning a new instrument and need instruction, or to those students who cannot schedule an instrumental ensemble class due to academic requirements. Beginners will be provided instruction with the goal of facilitating their inclusion in upper level music ensemble classes. Students who are already accomplished on their instruments will be provided further instruction and will be streamed into department musical performances.

Advanced String Ensemble – Grades 9-12
Full Year Course 1 credit
Students entering Advanced String Ensemble will have a solid command of their instrument, be able to play several major scales, and have been introduced to minor scales. They will be able to read level 3 music without difficulty. Students in Advanced String Ensemble will study standard literature from the classical Western repertoire. Students will refine their knowledge of major scales and arpeggios, and continue to develop knowledge of minor scales. Concert performances will feature pieces rehearsed through the school year. Intonation, dynamics, articulation, and rhythmic accuracy will be emphasized. At this level, an independent practice habit has already been established.

Upper School Band Grades 9-12
Full Year Course 1 credit
This course offers students the opportunity to participate in both the Jazz Ensemble and the Wind Ensemble during the same scheduled block. The Jazz Ensemble will introduce the students to the American music style known as jazz. The performers will learn styles including, but not limited to, blues, swing, Latin, fusion, funk, be-bop. The students will also study the theory, history and musicians that have made this style of music popular. The Wind Ensemble will be designed around a classically based repertoire of music. The instruments involved are all brass, woodwind and percussion. This ensemble will study the theory, history, composers and performers over the past 400 years. Students enrolled in this class may also participate as members of the Pep Band, Drum Line, Pit Orchestra and Jazz Combo. Musicians should have at least 2 years of Middle School Band experience.

Advanced Placement Music Theory and Composition
Full Year Course……………………………………………………………..1 credit
Prerequisite: Music theory Elective/Recommendation of Department
Grades 11 and 12
Students taking AP Music Theory must be familiar with basic notation in treble and bass clefs, major and minor scale forms, the circle of fifths, intervals, and triads. Students will be expected to have some related aural skills and be willing to sing. In AP Music theory, topics covered will include notation, rhythm, and meter, scales, intervals (particularly aural recognition), triads and seventh chords, cadences, nonharmonic tones, melody, texture, voice leading, modulation, small forms and score analysis. In addition, students will work on listening skills in order to aurally identify and notate rhythmic patterns, melodic dictation, and harmonic dictation. Students will also learn to realize a figured bass, realize a Roman numeral chord progression in four parts, and compose a bass line and chord progression for a chorale-type melody.