Music

This course is intended for advanced music students who have completed Music Theory I. Fundamental to success in this course is the student’s ability to read and write musical notation. Musicianship skills such as dictation, sight-singing and musical analysis are sharpened. Skills in original composition, vocal/instrumental arrangement techniques, advanced part-writing, instrumental transpositions and score analysis are emphasized. Students become familiar with music-writing computer software and with the MIDI/synthesizer. This course replaces Music Theory II.

The Virginia standards for High School Vocal/Choral Music, Artists Level enable students to refine musicianship skills in individual and ensemble performance. Students continue to develop the ability to evaluate musical performances and articulate preferences and choices through the use of cognitive skills and analytical thinking. They expand their connections to music in the community and the world and develop individual performance portfolios. In-depth experience in solo and/or ensemble singing and the use of foreign languages assist in preparing the student for future musical and vocal development and career opportunities.

Advanced Chorus is offered to students who exhibit advanced skill levels in music literacy and vocal technique. The content of the course is designed to develop the students’ technical, musical and performance skills. The music studied by this choir is challenging and requires a desire for excellence on the part of its members. Students are required to perform in the winter and spring concerts, local and district choral festivals and other performance opportunities. Music performed covers a wide range of historical periods and musical styles. In addition to the regular class period, Advanced Chorus students often practice one day per week, either before or after school.

This course is offered for students to in grades 9-12 who are able to play successfully at Grade IV and Grade V of the VBODA rating system. Students with advanced playing experience continue to develop skills in bowing, fingering and reading music, with good intonation, rhythm and musicianship. Success in this course should lead to participation in String Orchestra II or Chamber Orchestra.

Students in this course will further develop their musical skills on percussion instruments. Significant emphasis will be placed on music literacy and percussion rudiment knowledge. Members of this course will learn advanced percussion techniques and perform intermediate to advanced level musical repertoire. This course will operate as a performance ensemble and will perform at least two concerts during the school year. Students in this class will serve as the percussion section of Wind Ensemble and/or Symphonic Band during all band program performances. Students in this course are required to participate in Marching Band.

Students learn the techniques of playing instruments, working to develop ensemble and solo performances. Tonal quality and technical facility are developed. Students discuss and constructively comment on their own performances and on the performances of the band.

Chorus is offered to students who want to sing for enjoyment while continuing to develop their musical knowledge and vocal skills. Emphasis is placed on reading octavo music and independent-part singing. Chorus members are required to perform in the winter and spring concerts and in local and district festivals, as determined by the music director.

Students develop skills in bowing and fingering and demonstrate a controlled tonal quality. They learn to perform an assigned part in ensemble playing. In addition, students learn to observe musical terms and apply them to a variety of music literature, developing an awareness of musical styles.

This course is offered during Eighth period after school. Chamber Music is designed to provide students with a performance opportunity in small ensemble repertoire. Various ensembles will be formed using the available personnel of string trio, quartets and other various ensembles based on the selected repertoire. This class may be taken for a grade or pass/fail.

Students in this course form the representative performing string orchestra for the school. Emphasis is placed on the sequential development of advanced technical skills and on the study of related literature. Students must meet both the school day and outside of the school day participation requirements to receive credit for the course. The Virginia standards for High School Instrumental Music, Advanced and Artist Level enable students to acquire technical and expressive skills at an artist level of musicianship. Students are provided with opportunities to participate in local, district, regional, and state events.

Students with some playing experience are eligible for this course. Students develop individual and group performance skills, using various styles of band literature. Emphasis is placed on proper breathing, tone quality, intonation, articulation, development of range and music-reading skills. Successful completion of this course should prepare the student for placement in Symphonic Band.

The Concert Band performs Level II - IV literature. Students work to develop skills in tone production, intonation, technique, rhythm, balance and musicianship. The Concert Band presents a minimum of two concerts a year, participates in the State Concert Assessment (when appropriate). Successful participation in this course will prepare students for Symphonic Band and/or Wind Ensemble.

Concert Choir provides a medium in which all choral disciplines can study and perform together in preparation for major concerts and community events. It is also open to students who have not registered for any choral course due to scheduling. Choral students in Concert Choir explore every genre of music from Western European Classical to Broadway and Gospel. It is in this course where students learn to master the mass ensemble sound. Attendance is mandatory. Choir members are expected to perform in the fall, winter and spring concerts, and are encouraged to audition for musicals, Christmas in Washington/Kennedy Center Honors televised productions, District Chorus and VMEA Honor Choir.

For students with some playing experience, this course continues to develop skills in bowing, fingering and reading music with good intonation and rhythm. Success in this course should lead to placement in Symphonic Orchestra.

Intermediate Chorus is offered to qualified students who want to develop their vocal skills and perform. Emphasis is on the development of proper vocal techniques, rhythmic and melodic music-reading skills and ensemble singing. Members are required to perform in the winter and spring concerts and may be given the opportunity to participate in local and district festivals as determined by the director. Music performed covers a wide range of historical periods and musical styles.

This group studies and performs a variety of literature, including swing, jazz, and rock. Each year, the group performs at concerts, adjudicated festivals, and various civic occasions. Special emphasis is placed on developing improvisation skills and ensemble playing. Membership requires a high degree of musical skill and personal discipline. This class may be taken for a grade or pass/fail.

This is a beginning choral course taught at the instructional level of the Concert Choir course. Choir students are provided the opportunity to concentrate on the varying demands of vocal technique for each piece of repertoire that is studied. Music performed covers a wide range of historical periods and styles. Difficulty ranges from Grades II to IV of the Virginia Choral Directors’ Association (VCDA) rating system. Choir members are expected to perform in the fall, winter and spring concerts and participate in local/district festivals as determined by the director.

This course is designed to reach students who have never played guitar. Emphasis is placed on learning to play melodies and a few chords. Students learn music fundamentals such as note reading, theory and related musical knowledge. The course acquaints students with various styles of music, including folk, classical, jazz and rock; provides opportunities for group playing; and, although there are some basic minimum expectations, lets students advance at their own rates. Students provide their own instruments. This course provides an additional option for students taking half-year courses, with the potential for the music department to reach an even greater number of non-performance-oriented students.

Music Theory provides students with the necessary tools to work with music from creative and performance viewpoints. The course stresses the fundamentals of music reading, with emphasis on scales, intervals, chords, four-part writing and form. Ear training is an important part of the course. Music Theory is most helpful for students who plan to major in music in college or those interested in performance/composition.

This course provides students with the opportunity to explore contemporary issues, styles, and genres of music and the music industry, as well as gain an appreciation for music through understanding of basic music concepts. Focus will be placed on critical listening skills and music technology. This course is designed to enable students to become intelligent, life-long consumers of music, regardless of their musical background.

This course is offered to provide students with the fundamental skills and knowledge to successfully perform both concert and marching percussion repertoire. As members of this course, students will have the opportunity to learn about and perform on a wide range of percussions instruments. These instruments include, but are not limited to snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, marimba, glockenspiel, congas and bongos. In addition, this course will feature a focused emphasis on the development of music literacy skills that are required of all percussionists. This course will operate as a performance ensemble depending on the given enrollment for the school year. Furthermore, students in this class are also members of the Concert Band, Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble and will abide by the rules and policies for those ensembles. Percussion Ensemble students will perform with the band classes on concerts. In addition, the percussion ensemble will occasionally have their own performances.

Singers/Show Choir provides a medium for performing more challenging, difficult choral music in the school and the community. Choir students are provided the opportunity to explore other genres of music, which include but are not limited to Broadway show tunes and various styles in the gospel realm. Choir students are also provided the opportunity to learn various types of choreography that are set to the various pieces they perform. Choir members are expected to perform in the fall, winter and Spring Concerts, and are encouraged to audition for musicals, Christmas in Washington/Kennedy Center Honors televised productions, District Chorus and VMEA Honor Choir. This class may be taken for a grade or pass/fail.

This course is offered for 9th grade students who wish to continue their study in orchestral music and advance their performance skills in bowing, fingering and reading music, with good intonation and rhythm. This course is offered for students able to play successfully at Grade III and IV levels of the VBODA rating system. Success in this course should lead to participation in String Orchestra II, Advanced Orchestra or Chamber Orchestra.

Students will continue to develop skills in bowing, fingering and reading music, with good intonation and rhythm. This course is offered for students able to play successfully at Grade IV level of the VBODA rating system. Success in this course should lead to participation in Advanced Orchestra or Chamber Orchestra.

This course is open to any student who would like to learn to play the violin, viola, cello, or double bass. Students with prior playing experience (elementary, middle, or high school) are encouraged to register. Students will learn the basics of playing their chosen string instrument, including: how to hold the instrument and bow, note reading and rhythms. Aside from the experience of learning an instrument, transfer goals include preparation for participation in String Orchestra II the following school year.

Students study a variety of styles of music literature, emphasizing full band, solo and ensemble performance. Students continue to develop good tone, intonation, articulation and style. The Symphonic Band participates in school concerts and local, district and regional festivals. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of marching to prepare them for the high school marching band program. Some marching activities are provided. In addition to the regular class period, Symphonic Band students usually practice one day per week, either before or after school. Symphonic Band students may choose to participate in the Jazz Band, which also practices one day per week, either before or after school.

The Symphonic Band performs music at the VBODA Level III-V. Emphasis is placed on the sequential development of advanced technical skills and on the study of related literature. Based on successful completion of sequential concepts for each level, students will continue as specified in course level. Marching band techniques, rehearsals, and performances are required in this course. Students must meet both the school day and outside of the school day participation requirements to receive credit for the course. The Virginia standard for High School Instrumental Music, Advanced Level enables students to acquire more advanced technical and expressive skills and demonstrate a mature level of musicianship. Students are provided with opportunities to participate in local, district, regional, and state events.

This course provides students who have successfully completed one year or more of string study experience in performing music of various styles and periods as they continue to develop skills in fingering and bowing. Musical interpretation and ensemble playing are stressed, and opportunities for public performance are provided. Students continue to develop good tone, intonation, articulation and style of playing by studying solo, ensemble and orchestra literature. They will be able to sight read Grade II and III literature and identify music symbols, key signatures and tempo. Orchestra members participate in school concerts and local and regional festivals. In addition to the regular class period, Symphonic Orchestra students usually practice one day per week, either before or after school.

Students in this course form the representative performing band for the school. Emphasis is placed on the sequential development of advanced technical skills and on the study of related literature. Marching band techniques, rehearsals, and performances are required in this course. Students must meet both the school day and outside of the school day participation requirements to receive credit for the course. The Virginia standards for High School Instrumental Music, Artist Level enable students to acquire technical and expressive skills at an artist level of musicianship. Students are provided with opportunities to participate in local, district, regional, and state events.