Music

MUSIC

FRESHMAN MUSIC

Code: JMW935

This class is designed to emerge students into the fundamentals of music. Students will study music notation, major and minor scales and triads, and diatonic intervals. Students will also learn how to sight read in unison and parts using solfege syllables and will be able to aurally identify and dictate rudimentary melodies and rhythms.  All students, regardless of instrument, will be required to play piano, guitar, and develop vocal technique. Piano development will be based on individual skill with the overall completion of a beginner adult series piano book and gain enough technical skills to perform on the piano by graduation. Guitar instruction will include basic open chords and boxed scale patterns. Vocal technique will include choral ensemble using standard vocal repertoire. Outside of school, students are required to study privately on their particular instrument/voice with a reputable instructor. Students will give formal and informal performances in and outside the classroom and are expected to give constructive criticism to their peers as well as reflective responses for their portfolio. The emphasis of study for the first year will be based on the student’s interest in contemporary music with the understanding that by the end of the first year the student will begin developing repertoire based on the teacher’s recommendation.

SOPHOMORE MUSIC

Code: JMW936

Continuation of 9^th grade music course study.  Music literature to include chord inversions, 7^th chords, study of church modes and basic harmonic analysis. Students sight singing and dictation will be dependant on the study of course work. Independent study of piano and guitar skills will continue on a once a week basis with emphasis on home practice. Vocal technique will continue will the use of standard repertoire at a level of grade 2-3. Students development of instrumental/voice will consist of continued formal and informal performances with an emphasis on at least two major works.  One piece from the 20^th century and the other by an earlier composer.

JUNIOR MUSIC

Code: JMW937

Continuation of 10^th grade music course study. Music literature to include basic three and four part voice leading, figured bass and harmonic analysis. Students sight singing and dictation will be dependant on the study of course work and will include minor tonalities. Continued studies on piano and guitar technique, at this point students should be able to use one of the instruments to perform basic chord progression developed from their music literature. Vocal technique will include standard repertoire at a level of 3-4, based on student enrollment. Students should start developing a performance repertoire for college auditions. Vocalist should have prepared an English, Italian, French, Spanish, and/or German Art song from 15^th century to present time. Instrumental should also have at least two major pieces with multiple movements from the same time period. Students will also use The Concise History of Western Music to study ancient times to early Baroque, one major research paper is required.

SENIOR MUSIC

Code: JMW940

Continuation of 11^th grade music course study. Music literature will be based on Baroque to 20^th century technique. Students will be required to analyze and compose based on time period of study. Students will use The Concise History of Western Music to study early Baroque to contemporary times, one major research paper is required. Students will be required to analyze and solfege all of their performance repertoire. Performance repertoire should include selections as noted in 11^th grade course study and should include pieces from a level 4-6 with the use of live accompaniment. Final performance will include a senior recital, in which a student must prepare 4 major pieces to perform.