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Course Title: Freshman Choir Department: Music
Grade Level: 9Time Per Day/Week: 42 minutes per day/5 days per week Length of Course: YearPrimary Resources: Choral Scores; Resources Designed by Teacher (aligned to PA Academic Standards)
Units of Study:Unit 1: Vocal Tone ProductionUnit 2: Music Literacy and Sight ReadingUnit 3: Choral LiteratureUnit 4: Vocal PerformanceUnit 5: Critical Thinking and EvaluationCurriculum-Based Assessments: Individual Vocal Assessments (teacher-designed), Concerts, Mid-term, and Final Exams
Standardized Assessments: N/A
Description of Course:This choir is organized as the basic element in the vocal music program and the foundation for more specialized work in the advanced choirs. The class involves sight-reading, tone production, voice placement, and other fundamental singing techniques. Attendance at rehearsals and concert performances is required for those who select this course.
Grade Level: 9-12Time Per Day/Week: 5 days per week Length of Course: YearPrimary Resources: Resources designed by teachers and Aligned to PA Academic StandardUnits of Study:
Unit 1: Vocal Tone Production
Unit 2: Music Literacy and Sight ReadingChoral Literature
Unit 3: Vocal Performance
Unit 4: Critical Thinking and EvaluationCurriculum-Based Assessments: Individual Vocal Assessments (teacher-designed)
Standardized Assessments: N/ADescription of Course:Concert Choir is an ensemble class for students who enjoy singing and working in a group. The class objectives include good ensemble singing, improving each individual's vocal technique, and high-level performance of quality literature. Class activities include warm-up exercises and rehearing challenging choral selections for mixed ensembles. Attendance at rehearsals and concert performances is required for those who select this course.Course Title: Chamber Singers Department: Music
Grade Level: 10-12Time Per Day/Week: 5 days per week Length of Course: YearPrimary Resources: Resources designed by teachers and Aligned to PA Academic StandardUnits of Study:
Unit 1: Vocal Tone Production
Unit 2: Music Literacy and Sight Reading
Unit 3: Choral Literature, Vocal Performance
Unit 4: Critical Thinking and EvaluationCurriculum-Based Assessments: Individual Vocal Assessments (teacher-designed) three times per year
Standardized Assessments: N/ADescription of Course:Chamber Singers is a highly select ensemble dedicated to choral music written for mixed voices. The course provides the opportunity for the advanced singer to learn and perform a more challenging and diverse repertoire. Emphasis will be placed on tone production, musicality, sight-reading, and developing the advanced singer. Attendance at rehearsals and concert performances is required for those who select this course.
Course Title: Harmony and Theory Department: MusicGrade Level: 10-12Time Per Day/Week: 42 minutes/5 days per week Length of Course: Semester
Primary Resources: Resources Designed by Teacher
Units of Study:Unit 1: Music Theory FundamentalsUnit 2: Scales and Key SignaturesUnit 3: IntervalsUnit 4: Triads and Harmonic AnalysisUnit 5: Advanced Harmonic Analysis and CadencesUnit 6: CompositionCurriculum-Based Assessments: In-Class work, Unit Tests, and Final Exam
Standardized Assessments: N/A
Description of Course:The purpose of Harmony and Theory is to give students a better understanding of the mechanics of music and to provide special preparation for those students who intend to study music further. A student need not, however, to be planning a music career to take the class. The piano background is helpful but not necessary.
Course Title: Women’s Ensemble Department: MusicGrade Level: 10-12Time Per Day/Week: 42 minutes per day/5 days per week Length of Course: YearPrimary Resources: Resources designed by teachers and Aligned to PA Academic StandardUnits of Study:
Unit 1: Vocal Tone Production
Unit 2: Music Literacy and Sight Reading
Unit 3: Choral Literature
Unit 4: Vocal Performance
Unit 5: Critical Thinking and EvaluationCurriculum-Based Assessments: Individual Vocal Assessments (teacher-designed) three times per year
Standardized Assessments: N/ADescription of Course:Women’s Ensemble is a highly select ensemble dedicated to choral music written for treble voices in two, three, and four parts. This class encompasses a large area of challenging repertoire and sight-reading is essential. Emphasis is placed on tone production, musicality, and developing the advanced singer. Attendance at rehearsals and concert performances is required for those who select this course.
Grade Level: 9-12Time Per Day/Week: 42 minutes/5 days per week Length of Course: Semester
Primary Resources:
Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Book 1
Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Book 2
Resources Designed by Teacher
Units of Study:
Unit 1: Introduction to Playing
Unit 2: C Position
Unit 3: G Position
Unit 4: Middle C Position
Unit 5: Scales and Chord Progressions
Unit 6: Extended Positions and BeyondCurriculum-Based Assessments: Individual Playing Assessments, and Final Exam
Standardized Assessments: N/A
Description of Course:Piano is a course designed to introduce the student to the proper playing of the piano and simple song performance. Music notation, hand position, and rhythmic accuracy are emphasized. This course is for students who have had no prior piano experience.Grade Level: 9-12Time Per Day/Week: 42 Minutes Per Day/5 Days Per Week Length of Course: YearPrimary Resources: Selections from our Music Library, Listening Examples and custom generated materialsUnits of Study:Unit 1: Quality of soundUnit 2: Ensemble movementUnit 3: Matching pitchUnit 4: Technique and ArtistryUnit 5: ExpressionUnit 6: PhrasingUnit 7: Stylistic traitsUnit 8: FeelingUnit 9: Cultural understandingUnit 10: Marching techniques and routinesCurriculum-Based Assessments: Seating Auditions, Concerts, peer adjudication, research assessment, performance juryStandardized Assessments: N/ADescription of Course:Students will rehearse music throughout the year and focus on improving important elements for musical success. Areas of focus include:- Quality of Sound
- Ensemble Movement
- Matching Pitch
- Technique & Artistry
- Expression
- Nuance
- Sensitivity
These rehearsals will culminate in many performances throughout the year.
Research assignments will be completed as well as high-level independent performance assignments.
Grade Level: 9-12Time Per Day/Week: Every other day/Week Length of Course: YearPrimary Resources: Selections from our Music Library, Listening Examples and custom generated materialsUnits of Study:Unit 1: Quality of soundUnit 2: Ensemble movementUnit 3: Matching pitchUnit 4: Technique and ArtistryUnit 5: ExpressionUnit 6: PhrasingUnit 7: Stylistic traitsUnit 8: FeelingUnit 9: Cultural understandingUnit 10: ImprovisationCurriculum-Based Assessments: Seating Auditions, Concerts, professional and peer adjudicationStandardized Assessments: N/ADescription of Course:Students will rehearse many different styles of music throughout the year and focus on improving important elements to musical success such as:- Quality of Sound
- Ensemble Movement
- Matching Pitch
- Technique & Artistry
- Expression
- Nuance
- Sensitivity
- Improvisation
These rehearsals will culminate in several performances throughout the year.
Grade Level: 9-12Time Per Day/Week: Every other day/Week Length of Course: Year
Primary Resources: Selections from our Music Library, Listening Examples and custom generated materialsUnits of Study:Unit 1: Quality of soundUnit 2: Ensemble movementUnit 3: Matching pitchUnit 4: Technique and ArtistryUnit 5: ExpressionUnit 6: PhrasingUnit 7: Stylistic traitsUnit 8: FeelingUnit 9: Cultural understandingUnit 10: ImprovisationCurriculum-Based Assessments: Seating Auditions, Concerts, Professional and Peer AdjudicationStandardized Assessments: N/ADescription of Course:Students will rehearse many different styles of music throughout the year and focus on improving important elements to musical success such as:- Quality of Sound
- Ensemble Movement
- Matching Pitch
- Technique & Artistry
- Expression
- Nuance
- Sensitivity
- Improvisation
These rehearsals will culminate in several performances throughout the year.
Grade Level: 9-12Time Per Day/Week: 42 minutes per day/5 days per week Length of Course: YearPrimary Resources: Selections from our Music Library, Listening Examples and custom generated materialsUnits of Study:Unit 1: Quality of soundUnit 2: Ensemble movementUnit 3: Matching pitchUnit 4: Technique and ArtistryUnit 5: ExpressionUnit 6: PhrasingUnit 7: Stylistic traitsUnit 8: FeelingUnit 9: Cultural understandingUnit 10: Marching techniques and routinesCurriculum-Based Assessments: Marching performance assessments, Seating Auditions, Concerts and peer adjudicationStandardized Assessments: N/ADescription of Course:Students will rehearse marching routines and music throughout the year and focus on improving important elements to musical success such as:
- Quality of Sound
- Ensemble Movement
- Matching Pitch
- Technique & Artistry
- Expression
- Nuance
- Sensitivity
These rehearsals will culminate in many performances throughout the year.
Course Title: Color Guard Department: MusicGrade Level: 9-12Time Per Day/Week: 43 minutes/everyday Length of Course: SemesterPrimary Resources: N/AUnits of Study: N/ACurriculum-Based Assessments: N/AStandardized Assessments: N/ADescription of Course:In conjunction with Marching Band and Ensemble for the first nine weeks, movement is used for the development and appreciation of good music, literature, rhythmic accuracy and technical abilities related to musical interpretation. All students chosen for this course take part in Marching Band and perform at other related events throughout the semester. Additional rehearsal time outside of class is mandatory. This course will transition into a study hall during the second nine-weeks.Grade Level: 9-12Time Per Day/Week: 42 minutes/school day (additional practice time with after school practices approximately 5 hours after school time and additional time for performances, as scheduled)Length of Course: Semester 1 - .5 credit (additional after school time - Semester 2 - with practice and performances, as scheduled)Primary Resources: Coach, Universal Dance Association (UDA), Marching Band Directors (with band website resource)Units of Study: Technical elements of all types of dance with a unified team approachCurriculum-Based Assessments: Cleaning of routinesStandardized Assessments: N/A (Performance assessments)Description of Course:In conjunction with Marching Band and Ensemble for the first semester, movement is used for the development and appreciation of good music, literature, rhythmic accuracy and technical abilities related to music interpretation. Students must audition and be chosen for the dance team each year. All students that are chosen, take part in Marching Band and perform at all related events up until the end of Semester 1 (credit portion of course). Additional rehearsal time outside of class time is mandatory, including mandatory attendance at summer band camp and summer dance team camp.(Note: Dance Team participation extends Semester 2; however, this portion of the year is mainly outside of the school day and includes practices and performances outside of the school day.)
Time Per Day/Week: 42 minutes 5 days per week Length of Course: Year
Primary Resources: Music purchased by district, instruments, music stands, chairsUnits of Study:Unit 1: Pitch/Left HandUnit 2: Tone/Right HandUnit 3: Music ReadingUnit 4: Ensemble SkillsUnit 5: Ear TrainingCurriculum-Based Assessments: Playing Tests, Concert Review Papers, Music Writing, Performance quizzes, ConcertsStandardized Assessments: N/ADescription of Course:Proper pitch is reviewed and practiced every day, and bowing exercises are also used in each class. Music reading is a part of daily classes, Ensemble Skills are reinforced on a daily basis, and ear training or listening skills are repeatedly reinforced. Honors Orchestra members write concert review papers and complete various extra assignments. They also may have extra performances.Grade Level: 9-12Time Per Day/Week: 42 minutes/5 days a week Length of Course: Semester
Primary Resources: Pro Tools, Sibelius, CPU’s, Keyboard Lab, Recording ToolsUnits of Study:Unit 1: Electronic Music: Loops & SequencingUnit 2: Melody & RhythmUnit 3: MIDIUnit 4: RecordingUnit 5: Audio MixingUnit 6: Creative Writing & Original Music Collaboration
Curriculum Based Assessments: Quizzes, Projects, Classroom Participation
Standardized Assessments: N/A
Description of Course:Students will use music software programs (ProTools & Sibelius) in order to create original music technology projects. Students will focus on Melody, Harmony, & Rhythm in order to create original electronic music compositions. Students will also learn about MIDI and it’s role in music technology. Students will learn about recording, mixing, & editing music to create high-quality projects. Students will incorporate creative writing skills and music composition to create original stories with original music soundtracks.
Course Title: Orchestra Department: Music
Grade Level: 9-12Time Per Day/Week: 42 minutes per day/5 days per week Length of Course: YearPrimary Resources: Music purchased by district, instruments, music stands, chairs
Units of Study:Unit 1: Pitch/Left HandUnit 2: Tone/Right HandUnit 3: Music ReadingUnit 4: Ensemble SkillsUnit 5: Ear Training
Curriculum-Based Assessments: Playing Tests, Concert Review Papers, Music Writing, Performance quizzes, Concerts
Standardized Assessments: N/ADescription of Course:Proper pitch is reviewed and practiced every day, and bowing exercises are also used in each class. Music reading is additionally a part of daily classes, Ensemble Skills are reinforced on a daily basis, and ear training or listening skills are repeatedly reinforced.