MUSIC

 

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT:

At various times during the school year, the members of instrumental and vocal groups demonstrate their musical growth and achievement through concert performances - generally held in the evening, to accommodate parents. These occasions provide a unique and necessary evaluation opportunity for the assessment of student learning and curriculum mastery. It is essential that barring illness or family emergency, members of performing groups participate in all scheduled concerts. Failure to perform and make a needed contribution to one’s group can result in a lowered report card grade.

 

Students who enroll in music courses should be aware of this requirement, in the event they plan to be involved in activities with time commitments that conflict with the concert performance schedule.

 

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

 

FRESHMAN CONCERT BAND  (536)                                                                                                                                                   1 credit

FRESHMAN CONCERT BAND  (538) (2 days per week)                                                                                                                Full year

 

Membership is open to all 9th grade students who play a wind or percussion instrument. Four rehearsals are scheduled per week. Students who are not taking private lessons outside of school will be required to schedule a weekly lesson during a free period, during lunch or before or after school. The band plays for assemblies, concerts, home football games, and the Memorial Day Parade. Students electing both Freshman Band and Freshman Chorus who experience scheduling difficulties will be able to schedule both subjects during the same period, meeting each class two days per week and receiving one-half (1/2) credit per course.

 

SOPHOMORE CONCERT BAND     (540)                                                                                                                                            1 credit

SOPHOMORE CONCERT BAND     (542) (2 days per week)                                                                                                       1/2 credit

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Full year

 

Membership is open to all sophomores who play a wind or percussion instrument. Four rehearsals are scheduled per week. Students who are not taking private lessons outside of school will be required to schedule a weekly lesson during a free period, during lunch, or before or after school. The band plays for assemblies, concerts, home football games, and the Memorial Day Parade. Students electing both Sophomore Band and Chorale or Sophomore Band and Advanced Theater who are experiencing scheduling difficulties will be able to schedule both subjects during the same period, meeting each class two days per week and receiving one-half (1/2) credit per course.

 

SYMPHONIC BAND   (544)                                                                                                                                                                   1 credit

SYMPHONIC BAND   (546) (2 days per week)                                                                                                                               1/2 credit

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Full year

 

Open to juniors, and seniors who play a wind or percussion instrument. Sophomores may be admitted to this advanced level group through a rigorous audition process held in February. Four rehearsals are scheduled per week. Students who are not taking private lessons outside of school will be required to schedule a weekly lesson during a free period, lunch or before or after school. The band plays for assemblies, concerts, home football games, and the Memorial Day Parade.

 

FRESHMAN CONCERT ORCHESTRA STRINGS  (548)                                                                                                                    1 credit

FRESHMAN CONCERT ORCHESTRA STRINGS  (550) (2 days per week)                                                                                1/2 credit

FRESHMAN CONCERT ORCHESTRA WINDS/PERCUSSION  (552) (2 days per week)                                                         1/2 credit

Note: Orchestra Wind/Percussion players are automatically enrolled in Band.                                                                     Full year

 

Membership is open to all 9th grade string players and to select wind and percussion players on the basis of auditions held in the spring. Four rehearsals are scheduled per week. All ninth grade wind/percussion students who satisfy the orchestra audition will be scheduled for two days each of Freshman Concert Orchestra and Freshman Band, receiving one-half (1/2) credit for each. Ninth grade string players electing both Freshman Concert Orchestra and Freshman Chorus who experience scheduling difficulties will be able to schedule both subjects during the same period, meeting each class two days per week and receiving one-half (1/2) credit per course. Students who are not taking private lessons outside of school will be required to schedule a weekly lesson during a free period, lunch or before or after school. Several concerts and performances will be scheduled during the school year.

 

SOPHOMORE ORCHESTRA  STRINGS  (554)                                                                                                                                  1 credit

SOPHOMORE ORCHESTRA STRINGS   (556)  (2 days per week)                                                                                             1/2 credit

SOPHOMORE ORCHESTRA WINDS/PERCUSSION  (558) (2 days per week)                                                                         Full  year

 

Membership is open to all sophomore string players and select wind and percussion players on the basis of auditions held in February. Four rehearsals are scheduled per week. All sophomore wind/percussion students who satisfy the orchestra audition will be scheduled for two days of Sophomore Orchestra and two days of Sophomore Band, receiving one-half (1/2) credit for each. Students who are not taking private lessons outside of school will be required to schedule a weekly lesson during a free period, during lunch, or before or after school. Students electing both Sophomore Orchestra and Chorale, or Sophomore Orchestra and Advanced Theater, who are experiencing scheduling difficulties, will be able to schedule both subjects during the same period, meeting each class two days per week and receiving one-half (1/2) credit per course.

 

SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA  STRINGS   (560)                                                                                                                                    1 credit

SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA WINDS/PERCUSSION  (562) (2 days per week)                                                                           1/2 credit

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Full year

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Membership is open to all junior and senior string players and to selected wind and percussion players on the basis of auditions held in February. Four rehearsals are scheduled per week. Two for full orchestra; two for strings only. Wind and percussion meet for rehearsal two days per week only. Strings attend all four rehearsals while wind and percussion meet for rehearsal two days per week only. The alternate two days they will be enrolled in Symphonic Band (526) to further develop their instrumental skills. Students who are not taking private lessons outside of schools are required to schedule lessons during one free period per week, lunch or before or after school. The orchestra plays for the Candlelight Concert, Youth Concert, and a concert in the Spring. On occasion, the orchestra participates in exchange programs and festivals with other high schools. Sophomores who can perform a Level V solo may be considered for admission into this advanced level group through a rigorous audition process held in February.

 

JAZZ ENSEMBLE  (564)                                                                                                                                                                        1 credit

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Full year

 

Membership is open to Advanced Wind/Percussion students who are members of the Staples Symphonic or Freshman Bands by audition in early September. This group meets one afternoon per week for an in-depth jazz study and rehearsal. The Jazz Ensemble plays for school functions, attends jazz band competitions, and plays a concert in the Spring. Do not register for this course until after the September audition.

 

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC  (566)                                                                                                                                                         1/4 credit

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Full year

 

All instrumental students not studying privately are required to schedule a weekly in-school lesson during a Free period, lunch or before or after school. Grades are reported and at the end of the year 1/4 credit will be given.

 

Students studying privately may earn credit by completing an independent study contract if they wish.

Do Not sign up for this course until September.

 

BEGINNING PIANO  (568)                                                                                                                                                                  1/2 credit

                                                                                                                                                                                               Second semester

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

An entry-level piano class designed for students who always wanted to play the piano, but never had the time or resources. Students will learn the basics of piano playing through the use of pop and classical music. No previous musical experience is necessary. Success is guaranteed!

               

VOCAL MUSIC

 

FRESHMAN CHORUS  (570)  (2 days per week)                                                                                                                           1/2 credit

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Full year

This elective group is open to all 9th grade boys and girls interested in choral singing. No previous singing experience is necessary. Emphasis is on personal vocal growth within the ensemble setting. Performance experience includes the Candlelight and Spring Concert programs. Two rehearsals are scheduled per week.

 

STAPLES CHORALE  (572)  (2 days per week)                                                                                                                            1/2 credit

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Full year

 

Membership is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors regardless of choral singing experience. Students continue their vocal development in this ensemble setting. Performances include Candlelight and Spring Concert programs. Two rehearsals are scheduled per week.

 

A CAPPELLA CHOIR  (574)                                                                                                                                                                  1 credit

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Full year

 

Membership is open to selected juniors and seniors who have completed at least one year of successful choral or instrumental music experience in grades 9, 10, and/or 11. Members are selected on the basis of auditions held in the spring of the previous school year. Performance experiences include Candlelight Concert, Youth Concert, Spring Invitational Festival and Spring concerts. Membership is limited to 100 students on the basis of balanced voice parts. Members of Choir are encouraged to sign up for  Voice Class.

 

 

VOICE CLASS  (575,577)                                                                                                                                                                  1/4 credit

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Quarters 1, 3

 

Open to all students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. The primary objective of the Voice Class is to provide an opportunity for the student to explore, discover, and develop his/her own vocal potential in a laboratory-like atmosphere.

 

Vocal technique and individual growth is emphasized focusing on solo performance.

 

MUSIC THEORY 1  (579)                                                                                                                                                                    1/2 credit

                                                                                                                                                                                                     First semester

 

This one-semester course is designed for the serious music student with instrumental and/or choral background. The course is designed to accommodate the needs of students with limited musical background as well as advanced musicians. Students who need the basic level of music theory will study clefs, key signatures, intervals, and develop musicianship through oral dictation and a thorough study of rhythm. The advanced students will review the rudiments of theory and study harmony, form, and elementary composition. Musicianship is also stressed through rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic dictation.

The course is recommended for any student planning to pursue a career in music.

 

MUSIC THEORY 2  (580)                                                                                                                                                                   1/2  credit

                                                                                                                                                                                               Second semester

 

This is a one-semester course open to all students who have satisfactorily completed the advanced level of Music Theory 1, or who have the permission of the instructor. The course is an extension of material studied in Music Theory 1 with emphasis on more advanced ear training, a study of vocal and instrumental forms and styles of composition in the various historical periods. Opportunities are provided to write and perform original music compositions.