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Beginning Piano
Designed for students who desire to acquire or develop piano keyboarding skills while engaged in music study. Students will learn to read music and will explore the elements of music theory. Students will develop fine motor skills, a technical and aesthetic appreciation of music, life-long learning disciplines and motivations related to music, music etiquette, ear training, rhythm dictation and sight reading skills.
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Intermediate Piano
Designed for students who are interested in further developing their piano skills. Students will continue their study of music history through research of composers and performers from the Baroque era through the 20th century. Students will also prepare and perform piano works by these composers. Students will continue their music education with a more advanced study of music theory.
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Guitar
Guitar offers beginning instruction in basic chords, strumming, finger picking and flat-picking playing techniques, music reading and tablature and basic theory. Students will participate in solo and ensemble performances. Students will use classroom instruments.
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Intermediate Guitar
The Intermediate Guitar program builds on skills acquired in Guitar. Students will study specific styles of guitar playing including Folk, Blues, and Classic Rock. This course places a larger emphasis on the understanding of music theory and the ongoing development of sight reading skills. Improvisational skills are developed as students study the use of pentatonic scales, major and minor scales, and chord movements that utilize the guitar fingerboard well beyond open position. Students learn how to develop solid harmony and melody skills and collaboration with other students. Some audio and video selections will be used to help familiarize students with the wide variety of professional guitar styles that are celebrated in both individual and group performance situations.
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Commercial Guitar 1
In Commercial Guitar 1, students explore the roots of popular music and expand their musical horizons through small group rehearsals and performances. The class emphasizes the respect for traditions, techniques and nuances of feel and groove through the examination of the various eras and forms of popular music repertoire, including rock, pop, R&B, folk, and country.
Students collaborate in small performance groups utilizing the common instruments of pop music, including acoustic and electric guitar, electric bass, keyboards, drums, and vocals. However, all musical instruments have a place in the program.
Commercial Guitar 1 also introduces students to the various fields of the music industry including performance, technology, publishing, business and marketing, and songwriting and arranging. The program provides unique opportunities for students to meet other musicians and industry professionals, find their creative voice, and become a professional-level artist.
Previous musical experience is required. -
Dance 1
This course strives to develop basic skills and terminology in a variety of dance styles including jazz, ballet, and hip hop, While learning the skills of hard work, dedication, and responsibility, students will work on musicality and physical skills related to dance. Grades are based on daily participation, attitude, effort, and skill. Members of the class are required to perform in the dance show at the end of the semester as part of their final grade. -
Dance 2
This class is the next step for students who have completed Dance 1 with a C or better. Students will build upon what they have learned in Dance 1 in the study of ballet, jazz, hip hop and other forms of dance. Other styles will be addressed as time permits, including tap, lyrical, contemporary, and kick lines. Students will continue to develop dance technique, performance skills, and work on projects. Grades are based on daily participation, attitude, effort, and skill. Members of the class are required to participate in the dance show at the end of the semester as part of their final grade.
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Dance 3
This class is the next step for students who have completed Dance 2 with a C or better. This course takes artistry to the next level. Students will work on honing technique, artistry and discipline in order to prepare for Dance 4 auditions. Students will build upon what they have learned in Dance 2 in the study of ballet, jazz, hip hop and other forms of dance. Other styles will be addressed as time permits, including tap, lyrical, contemporary, and kick lines. Students will continue to develop dance technique, performance skills, and work on projects. Grades are based on daily participation, attitude, effort, and skill. Members of the class are required to participate in the dance show at the end of the semester as part of their final grade.
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Dance 4
This class is audition only. Students will audition in the the spring term for the following fall. Students in Dance 3 in the fall semester may be permitted to audition and join Dance 4 in the spring, space permitted. Students enrolled in Dance 4 are dedicated to honing their skills and artistry in a more disciplined manner. Students will build upon what they have learned in Dance 3 by continuing in the study of jazz, ballet, hip hop, and other forms of dance. Students will also continue to develop dance technique, performance skills, and will work on projects. Grades are based on daily participation, attitude, effort, and skill. Members of the class are required to participate in the dance show at the end of the semester as part of their final grade.
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Concert Choir
Designed for students interested in singing in a choir. Unison and part songs will be rehearsed and performed. Vocalization, diction, breathing, note reading, basic vocal theory, group singing, solo singing, sight singing, and performance techniques will be studied. Evening performances are required. May be taken both fall and spring terms.
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Musical Theater
Musical Theater is designed for the student who desires to further his/her interest in an integrated area of the arts that involves the following elements: drama, dance, music, stagecraft, technology, history and public relations. The class will work together to define, promote, produce, research, and perform a musical during the spring term. In addition, musical theater students will be engaged in research, exploration of set building and sound and lighting, advanced skills in vocal production,
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Drama
This introduction to theater class is a fun project-and-performance-based class with a primary focus on the development of acting skills including pantomime, improvisation, character development, interpretation, appreciation and scene work.
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Percussion Ensemble--Spring Semester
Percussion ensemble is open to all students that are interested in performing within a variety of percussion settings. Students will perform with the Competitive Winter Percussion group and with the Symphonic Band. Percussion Ensemble students are required to attend after school and evening rehearsals and Saturday competitions. Students will be exposed to a variety of percussion techniques and performance settings. This course may be repeated for credit.
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Symphonic Band--Spring Semester
Designed for all instrumental musicians at any grade level. Symphonic Band students will participate in concert and festival performances. Students are required to attend performances held at night and on Saturdays. This course may be repeated for credit.
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Color Guard--Spring Semester
The Color Guard is open to all students and is a separate competition unit. Students will learn to interpret music through marching formations, body movement and various color guard equipment work. Students are required to attend all after-school rehearsals and public performances. This course may be repeated for credit.
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Advanced Piano
Designed for students who desire to continue developing and advancing their piano skills and furthering their music theory and music history education. Study of both music theory and history will go into much more depth than beginning or intermediate piano. Students will continue their music education by studying ear training, rhythmic dictation and sight-reading. They will further their aesthetic appreciation of music, thus becoming life-long appreciators of music. This course may be repeated for credit.
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Commercial Guitar 2
Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in Commercial Guitar 1
Commercial Guitar 2 continues to develop the skills taught in Commercial Guitar 1. Students are provided higher-level training in the science of music, including microphone placement techniques, signal processing, and mixing and editing. Career aspects — including performance, songwriting and arranging, recording studio efficiency, music production, and entrepreneurship — are also taught.
Students collaborate in small performance groups utilizing the common instruments of pop music, including acoustic and electric guitar, electric bass, keyboards, drums, and vocals. However, all musical instruments have a place in the program.
Students will also study the business of the music industry including songwriting, live performance, the record industry, music merchandising, contracts and licenses, and career opportunities. -
Commercial Music Project
The Commercial Music Project is the capstone course for the Commercial Guitar 1 & 2 courses and as such, requires students to apply the knowledge and skills learned those courses. This is a hands-on, project-oriented course where students create a portfolio of their work. Students will apply skills specifically used in audio recording, the music business and song writing. Students will design and execute a project within a specified time frame and create a project that will be included in a professional-level portfolio. Course topics will explore current trends, skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviors pertinent to industry technologies and occupations with relevance to the professional development of the student.
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AP Music Theory
The AP Music Theory course corresponds to two semesters of a typical introductory college music theory course that covers topics such as musicianship, theory, musical materials, and procedures. Musicianship skills including dictation and other listening skills, sight-singing, and keyboard harmony are considered an important part of the course. Through the course, students develop the ability to recognize, understand, and describe basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. Development of aural skills is a primary objective. Performance is also part of the learning process. Students understand basic concepts and terminology by listening to and performing a wide variety of music. Notational skills, speed, and fluency with basic materials are emphasized.
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Treble Chamber Choir
Designed for Soprano and Alto voices. Students will be part of an SSA vocal group and perform A Capella music, including contemporary, pop and jazz selections – as a choir, in groups and individually. Accompanied music will be performed as well. This course is performance-intensive; there will be concerts and community events throughout the semester. Concert, popular and sacred music will be performed. Students will also learn sight singing, ear training and theory. This course may be repeated for credit.
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Chamber Choir
Designed for the experienced singer. A Capella singing, in addition to historical period singing (madrigal), concert, popular, and sacred music will be rehearsed and performed. Ear-training, theory and sight singing will be studied. After school rehearsals and performances are required. This course may be repeated for credit. May be taken both fall and spring terms.
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Intermediate Theatre Arts
This course provides serious acting students the opportunity to continue their training in characterization, advanced improvisation, movement, auditioning, scene work, script analysis and interpretation and appreciation.
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Advanced Drama
This course continues to provide serious acting students the opportunity to continue their training in characterization, advanced improvisation, movement, auditioning, scene work, script analysis and interpretation and appreciation. It will include advanced acting techniques and styles; costume and makeup design and application, and an introduction to technical skills including lighting, sound, set construction, direction, script writing. Students will be encouraged to participate in all of these areas. Students are required to attend rehearsals after school as well as performances held at night and on weekends. This course may be repeated for credit.
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Professional Drama
This course will focus on putting on stage productions throughout the term. Advanced and college-level acting skills will be required and practiced while experience in directing and stage production will be provided throughout the class. Students are required to attend rehearsals after school as well as performances held at night and on weekends. This course may be repeated for credit.
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Jazz Ensemble
Designed for all instrumental musicians at any grade level. Jazz Ensemble students will participate in jazz and festival performances. Students are required to attend performances held at night and on Saturdays. Students must be concurrently enrolled in at least one term of Symphonic or Marching Band. This course may be repeated for credit. Offered zero period (before school) only; this is a year long class.
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Wind Ensemble--Spring Semester
An audition only class designed for advanced Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion students. Emphasis will be on the individual development of tone, technique, and performance. Students will be expected to attend after school rehearsals and some weekend performances. May be repeated for credit.
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Marching Band and Color Guard--Fall Semester
Designed for all instrumental musicians and Color Guard students at any grade level. Students will participate in Marching Band and Color Guard performances. This class meets daily. Students are required to attend performances held at night and on Saturdays. This course may be repeated for credit.
