MUSIC

This course focuses on preparation and public performance of representative works from the string literature, including chamber music. Performances are on- and off-campus. The course initiates instrumentalists to a broad spectrum of string literature and develops students’ sight-reading abilities. Each student will be required to perform a jury exam at the end of each semester.

This course focuses on preparation and public performance of representative works for the wind instrumentalist. Performances are on- and off-campus. This ensemble explores the musical styles of wind chamber literature, including Pre-Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary. Each student will be required to perform a jury exam at the end of each semester.

This course covers rudimentary theory, first species counterpoint in two voices, and an introduction to four-part harmony and analysis of secondary dominants and diatonic chords.

This course covers the study of first, second, third, and fourth species counterpoint in two voices, four-part diatonic harmony, melodic and rhythmic figuration, and harmonic analysis of all chromatic chords and form in tonal music.

This class covers dissonance and chromaticism in four-part harmony, analysis of tonal music and study of 20th century music techniques.

This course explores the musical styles of the traditional orchestral literature ranging from Baroque to Contemporary through performance and regular rehearsal. Students also are required to listen to recordings of major orchestras that have influenced the growth of music. All students are required to perform at an advanced level on their instrument. The ensemble performs at four to six concerts and two festivals. Each student will be required to perform a jury exam at the end of each semester.

This course focuses on preparation and public performance of representative works for the string instrumentalist. Students study the major chamber music literature of the respective instruments. Emphasis is on the materials most frequently used in developing skills and techniques for successful auditioning. Each student will be required to perform a jury exam at the end of each semester.

Lab Band is a small ensemble focusing on improvisation and jazz articulation. This ensemble is designed for the jazz instrumentalist who wishes to strengthen his/her improvisation skills. Students study the characteristics of various jazz styles as they apply to a small group setting. Students also are required to listen to recordings of artists who have influenced the growth of the jazz literature. All students will be required to remain proficient on their instrument and work on building their music reading and improvisation skills. The class will perform at two school concerts and all students are required to be enrolled in Jazz Theory 1 or 2.

This course trains students in the presentation of traditional and contemporary big band jazz. This advanced ensemble focuses on music of an advance to professional level of difficulty and the various styles associated with big band jazz, improvisation, and sight-reading. A jury/barrier exam is required at the end of each semester.

Students in this class become familiar with the functions of the instruments of the symphony orchestra. Through exercises and listening, students are able to score pieces for various instruments. Students also gain beginning level exposure to the art of conducting. Analysis of orchestral styles and various masterworks from the repertoire are covered.

This course is designed to increase and develop students’ ability to sight-read and more thoroughly interpret music written in the jazz idiom. This course is required for all entering jazz students.

This course is designed to increase and develop students’ ability to improvise, read and more thoroughly interpret music written in the jazz idiom. This course is required for all saxophone and rhythm players not in orchestra. Prerequisite: Reading Ensemble 1.

This course trains students in the presentation of traditional and contemporary small group jazz. Students selected for jazz combos 2 will improvise at an advanced high school level. The Jazz Combo 2 focuses on preparing material for jazz performances such as concerts and festivals. In this endeavor, students are generally self-directed (with some guidance from the instructor) and are responsible for creating their own program and composing much of their material. Prerequisite: Successful Audition each semester.

This course focuses on preparation and performance of representative works from the piano literature for four, six, eight and ten hands along with a chamber music repertoire. This ensemble explores musical styles including Pre-Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary. Students perform in three concerts and are assigned to the most advanced chamber groups. Each student will be required to perform a jury exam at the end of each semester.

This course will teach the basic elements, techniques, and tools of jazz improvisation. It is designed to establish a firm foundation for the jazz musician on the basic theories and concepts of improvisation.

 This course will focus on advanced elements, techniques, and tools of jazz improvisation. It is designed to establish a firmer foundation for the jazz musician on the basic theories and concepts of improvisation to prepare him/her for placement into a combo ensemble.

This course covers the fundamentals of music crucial to the study of jazz. The course covers jazz notation, intervals, major and minor key signatures, scales, modes, jazz chord symbols, transposition of all major jazz instruments, basic chord progressions, analysis of standard jazz repertoire, transcription of songs and solos for analysis.

This course covers the basic elements of jazz harmony, including chords, jazz harmony, diminish scales and analysis of jazz standards and traditional forms.

This course covers the advanced elements of jazz harmony, including altered chords, modal harmony, upper structure triads, diminish scales, analysis of advanced jazz standards and analysis of records and their importance in tradition, transcriptions, and composition/arranging.

This elective course is designed for students who wish to explore and continue their work on original song-writing.