| TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| Music Department Academic Expectations |
| Special Classes |
| Performing Organizations |
| Chamber Organizations |
| The Best of Broadway |
| Vocal Techniques |
| Music Foundations 1 (formerly Jazz Improvisation) |
| Music Foundations 2 (formerly Music Foundations) |
| Instrumental Techniques |
| The History of Rock & Roll (formerly Rock to Rap) |
| Piano/Keyboard Lab |
| Beginning Acoustic Guitar Lab |
| Music Production & Engineering (formerly Music Technology) |
MUSIC DEPARTMENT ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS
Content Area Primary Responsibilities: Fine and Performing Art
Students at Somerset High School will:
1. Come to school prepared and ready to work.
2. Develop effective study skills.
3. Evaluate their own work using a variety of assessment methods.
4. Be able to explore, develop, and express their own creativity.
5. Be able to read, write, and communicate effectively.
6. Reason logically to develop problem-solving skills.
7. Assimilate, analyze, interpret, and evaluate information critically.
8. Become capable researchers skilled in the many methods of accessing information.
9. Recognize the importance of multiple viewpoints in order to understand people, issues, and events.
10. Develop an appreciation for world cultures through the visual arts, music, literature, history, and language.
13. Use computers and appropriate technological methods to solve problems and to acquire, organize, and communicate information.
15. Use the arts to explore and express ideas, feelings, and beliefs.
SPECIAL CLASSES
Interested students may check with the music department.
1. Private and class lessons on various instruments are given to many students by the music teachers and also by more advanced students.
2. Functional piano lessons are given to students who have had no previous piano experience. Also, beginning to intermediate lessons are given to other students who desire to study piano.
3. Electronic music classes will include an introduction to electronic keyboards as well as an introduction to the Midi, drum machines, and computerized music.
PERFORMING ORGANIZATIONS
The following performing organizations exist at Somerset High School. Rehearsals for these groups are both in and out of school. Student involvement in these groups has proven to be very successful, culturally rewarding and enriching in the lives of the students, school and in the community. Students will receive course credit for every rehearsal period.
(2008-2009 Symphonic Wind Ensemble Introduction Packet & 2008-2009 Music Department Bands Handbook)
2. Concert Band
(2008-2009 Concert Band Introduction Packet & 2008-2009 Music Dept. Bands Handbook)
3. "Blue Raider" Marching Band
(2008-2009 Somerset High School "Blue Raider" Marching Band Handbook)
4. Orchestra
5. Strings
The above listed subjects are elective/selective courses open to students in grades 9 - 12. All instrumental students will be auditioned for placement. All wind, brass and percussion students must participate in Concert Band and selected students will be placed in Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Marching Band is an extracurricular ensemble and all band students are encouraged to participate in this group. Wind and percussion players for orchestra will be selected from Concert and/or Symphonic Wind Ensemble. These students must participate in at least one of the bands. String students should elect strings and orchestra. These organizations encourage the intellectual, musical and social development of the individual through performance of music of excellent quality. Loyalty to the school through cooperation with other departments in presenting musical programs is stressed; participation in music festivals, exchange concerts and All-State festivals provide opportunity for both recreation and development of intellectual and aesthetic interest. Special invitations from throughout the United States have been offered to the above groups and several of these opportunities have been accepted.
6. Jazz Band
Membership in this organization is selective, and is open to all students from grades 9-12 by audition . The group meets after school hours and is considered to be an extra curricular activity. The ensemble rehearses weekly from September through May and represents Somerset High School at various festivals, competitions, and performance sites during the school day AND after school hours throughout the year. Students chosen for the group must be enrolled as a member in good standing of an in-school performing organization (i.e. concert band).
Membership in this organization is elective and is open to all ladies in grades 10-12 and gentlemen in grades 9-12. Ladies in grade 9 are open to join provided they are also enrolled in Treble Choir. Music of various styles is studied for the purpose of enriching the lives of these young people through cooperative individual participation. Concert Choir performs at the Pops Concert, Vespers, Spring Concert, Music Festivals and Exchange Concerts. Music reading and the knowledge and application of musical and aesthetic symbols are integral elements included in the development of musical literacy.
8. Treble Choir
Membership in this organization is elective and is open to all ladies in grades 9-12. Ladies in grade 9 are especially encouraged to join. This group will focus on various aspects of vocal techniques and will perform challenging women's choir music. This group will focus on various aspects of vocal technique and will perform challenging women's choir music for three parts. Treble Choir performs at Vespers, the Spring Concert, and Exchange Concerts.
9. Chorale
Membership in chorale is selective, and is open to all students from grades 9-12 through audition . This group meets after school hours and is considered to be an extra-curricular activity. This organization provides activities and experiences similar to those included in the choral activities described previously. However, this group also provides unique experiences for the students involved because of its many concert activities and solo opportunities.
"Electrify" Show Choir meets after school hours and is considered to be an extra curricular activity. The ensemble rehearses weekly throughout the school year during after school hours and on weekends. The "Electrify" Show Choir represents Somerset High School at various festivals and competitions beginning in February and ending in mid-April. All competitions are held on Saturdays and Sundays. Students chosen for the group must be enrolled as a member in good standing of an in-school performing organization.
11. Winter Percussion Ensemble
Winter Indoor Percussion meets after school hours and is considered to be an extra curricular activity. The ensemble rehearses weekly from December through April during after school hours and on weekends. The Winter Percussion Ensemble represents Somerset High School at various festivals and competitions beginning in February and ending in mid-April. All competitions are held on Saturdays and Sundays. Students chosen for the group must be enrolled as a member in good standing of an in-school performing organization.
Winter Color Guard meets after school hours and is considered to be an extra curricular activity. The ensemble rehearses weekly from December through April during after school hours and on weekends. The Winter Color Guard represents Somerset High School at various festivals and competitions beginning in February and ending in mid-April. All competitions are held on Saturdays and Sundays. Students chosen for the group must be enrolled as a member in good standing of an in-school performing organization.
CHAMBER ORGANIZATIONS
All instrumental students are eligible to participate in these groups, and are advised to do so because they offer valuable learning experiences. The following organizations are available: brass choir, brass quintet, woodwind choir, clarinet quartet, saxophone quartet, woodwind quintet, select strings, percussion ensemble, and mixed choirs . These ensembles meet after school hours.
THE BEST OF BROADWAY
(formerly Music in the Theatre) Course # 620207
Grades 9–12 / Levels 1, 2 & 3 / 6 periods per cycle
This class will study the popular shows and composers that have taken the Broadway stage since 1900. Students will study and watch many shows to build a vast knowledge of New York's theatrical history. Field trips will be offered to allow students to see live performances of exciting shows. Students will also work in a technical aspect on the school spring musical to experience a hands-on approach. This class will be multi-leveled to met students' needs.
VOCAL TECHNIQUES
Course # 621307
Grades 9–12 / Levels 1,2 & 3 / 6 periods per cycle
This class is designed to provide students with the fundamental techniques to develop breath control, good intonation, and flexibility. Music of all styles, periods, nationalities, and cultures will be studied. Students will expand their individual abilities with both solo and class ensemble work. The class will be multi-level ed to meet student needs. Requirements will be adjusted and arranged between the teacher and student.
MUSIC FOUNDATIONS 1
(formerly Jazz Improvisation) Course # 600307
Grades 9-12 / 2 periods per cycle
(Music Foundations 1 Introduction Packet)
Music Foundations 1 meets two times in a cycle and is open to serious music students in grades 9 - 12 interested in pursuing a career in music. This class will cover the basics of music theory, improvisation, arranging, composition and ear training. This course is designed to enable students with experience in performing music, instrumentally or vocally, to take their musical skills to a higher level. With music theory, you will learn how the combination of melody, harmony and rhythm develop into music. Understanding how music works is the first step into writing music. Ear training will allow you to become a better sight-reader and improviser by being able hear different notes of a scale without an instrument! These two skills will allow you the ability to compose your own music and arrange it for a jazz band, wind ensemble, rock group, choir, etc… Successful completion of this course will result in better-developed performance skills on a student’s principal instrument and provide a student the skills needed to compose their own music! This course is designed is a prerequisite for Music Foundations 2.
MUSIC FOUNDATIONS 2
(formerly Music Foundations) Course # 611007
Grades 10-12 / Level 1 / 6 periods per cycle
(Music Foundations 2 Introduction Packet)
Music Foundations 2 meets six times in a cycle and is a highly demanding elective only open to the serious music students in grades 10 - 12 interested in pursuing a career in music that have successfully completed Music Foundations 1 or has been approved for the course by a member of the High School Music Department Staff. This class will continue advanced studies of music theory, improvisation, arranging, composition and ear training as well as music history. This course is designed to prepare students with experience in performing music, instrumentally or vocally, for a career in the music industry. Students will also research college music programs, prepare portfolios to include with college applications and prepare for college-level music auditions. Students are assessed daily, on quarterly project/compositions and during weekly tests on their ability to demonstrate learned skills in musical theory, ear training, arranging, composition, history, musical performance and improvisation. Successful completion of this course will result in better-developed performance skills on a student’s principal instrument, provide a student the skills needed to compose their own music and help the career driven student musician gain acceptance to a highly regarded under-graduate music program!
INSTRUMENTAL TECHNIQUES
Course # 620107
Grades 9-12 / Levels 1, 2 & 3 / 6 periods per cycle
This class will assist students with solo aspects. Students will be presented with various instrumental techniques for their instruments. Students will have the opportunity to explore other instruments. Sectional work will also take place. The class will be multi-leveled to meet student needs. Requirements will be adjusted and arranged between the teacher and student. Prerequisite: Students must be a member of one of the performing groups.
THE HISTORY OF ROCK & ROLL
(formerly Rock to Rap) Course # 600107
Grades 9-12 / 2 periods per cycle
(The History of Rock & Roll Introduction Packet)
The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll meets twice in a cycle and is an elective where the primary objective is to expose students to American popular music in a variety of genres from 1950’s pioneering rock ‘n’ roll to the contemporary genres of today’s popular music, leading to an informed understanding of music as an art form. The primary function is to further the development of basic skills (such as structure/song form), broaden musical awareness and to understand how society influences the changing tide of musical styles. This course will explore the role that music plays in our everyday lives and students will be exposed to various types of popular music from the twentieth century through audio and visual media. No instrumental or choral experience is required.
PIANO/KEYBOARD LAB
Course # 601107
Grades 9-12 / 2 periods per cycle
The purpose of this class is to introduce and develop keyboard skills from beginner to intermediate. The class is recommended for Music Foundations and Jazz students as well as any other interested student. Each student may progress at their own speed, working individually and in groups. Included in this class will be the use of current electronic keyboards and electronic equipment, including sequencers, sound modules, and the Macintosh computer with music software. This class requires no previous experience.
BEGINNING ACOUSTIC GUITAR LAB
Course # 600407
Grades 9-12 / 2 periods per cycle
The purpose of this class is to introduce and develop basic skills for the beginner guitar students. This class is NOT for experienced guitar players. The class will focus on music of various styles, chords, scales, riffs and patterns. Students will develop musical reading and study skills necessary for mastery of the instrument. Students will be required to play both solo and ensemble literature. Guitars will be provided for students.
MUSIC PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
(formerly Music Technology) Course # 600207
Grades 9-12 / 2 periods per cycle (semester course)
(Music Production & Engineering Introduction Packet)
Music Production and Engineering meets twice in a cycle and designed for the student who is interested in music, but may not play an instrument. This class will spend much time exploring the newest forms of digital sound recording and manipulation on the computer through a process called sequencing. We will be investigating on-line resources and working with software programs such as Sonar 4, Audacity, Finale and Band-in-a-Box to create music without performing on traditional instruments. Students will be creating their own songs from the computer as well as arranging well-known popular, jazz, classical, and folk songs from online midi resources and then recorded on CD's or digital media. In addition to digital audio recording, students will learn about sound production and put those skills to practical use by providing sound engineering and digital recording services for school events, concerts and drama productions.