MS Music

Students continue their development of choral singing. 8th Grade Choir requires a commitment to more performances than Beginning or Intermediate choirs. The vocal technique and performance skills taught will lead students toward self confidence and growth as ensemble singers. Students perform more advanced and challenging literature and continue to develop music reading skills. This is a performance-based course which requires day and evening performances as an extension of the classroom activities.

Advanced Band is a performance-based course which requires student participation in day and evening performances. This class requires a commitment to more performances than Beginning and Intermediate Band. Through large and small ensemble work, students will be provided the opportunity to learn self-discipline, accountability, group cohesiveness, and commitment. New information the students will acquire include compound meters, advanced articulation patterns, and form. Students will experience further development in tone, rhythm, balance, blend, and music history. Through the study of different time periods and styles, students will understand music as a form of communication which will expand their ability to listen, analyze, and discuss concepts.

8th Grade Orchestra is a performance-based course which requires student participation in day and evening performances. This class requires a commitment to more performances than Beginning and Intermediate Orchestras. Through appropriate literature, students will increase their ability to apply the fundamentals of music. Students will learn vibrato, advanced rhythms, and bowings. Students will understand music as a form of communication which will expand their ability to listen, analyze, discuss, and appreciate this art form.

Beginning Band is a performance-based course which requires student participation in day and evening performances. Through large and small ensemble experiences, students will learn basic theory and performance skills such as articulation, embouchure, hand position and posture. Through their participation in an ensemble, the students will be introduced to blend, balance, intonation (playing in tune) and instrumentation. Students will learn self-discipline through home practice and rehearsal sessions.

Love to sing? Want to learn? Join us! This class provides an introduction to choral music. Students will learn to sing a variety of choral literature and styles from around the world in unison, and in two- or three-part harmony. Musical concepts are taught in daily rehearsals with an emphasis on correct breathing and vocal techniques.

This is a performance-based course which requires day and evening performances as an extension of the classroom activities.

Jazz Band is a performance-based course which requires student participation in day and evening performances. Students play and perform to the basic instrumental ensemble styles of jazz, blues, rock, and stage band. Emphasis is placed on each student's individual playing and musical skills. Students develop their skills in the art of improvisation.

Beginning Orchestra is a performance-based course which requires student participation in day and evening performances. The basic skills and concepts presented in the class include: basic music theory, history, tone production, string technique, and ear training. In addition, students will study home-practice strategies and the role of self-discipline in achieving high standards.

This course will explore the exciting world and music of drumline and progressively lead the students from beainnina skills into a oerformina arouo. This arouo will add to the percussion section in very creative and explosive way.s

Intermediate Band is a performance-based course which requires student participation in day and evening performances. Band students will be provided the opportunity to learn accountability and commitment to a team. During their ensemble experience, students will be exposed to intermediate-level music theory, articulation patterns, rhythmic patterns, and a variety of musical styles. Students will continue their quest to improve tone, breath support, blend, balance, and intonation. Listening and critical-thinking skills will be enhanced as students analyze their individual and group performances.

Students continue their musical growth as ensemble singers with more opportunities for small group and solo singing. Musical concepts are taught in daily rehearsals with an emphasis on correct breathing and vocal techniques (diction, blend, balance, phrasing, intonation, articulation and tone quality), and music reading. This is a performance-based course which requires day and evening performances as an extension of the classroom activities.

Jazz Band is a performance-based course which requires student participation in day and evening performances. Students play and perform to advanced instrumental ensemble styles of rock, swing and Latin. Emphasis is placed on each student's individual playing and musical skills. Students refine their skills in the art of improvisation.

Beginning Orchestra is a performance-based course which requires student participation in day and evening performances. In addition to further instruction in the basic skills, more complex keys and rhythms will be introduced as students read more difficult music (two- or three-part harmony). By the end of the year, students should be independent players, meaning they can read and perform age-appropriate music without prompting from a teacher or a peer. Listening and critical-thinking skills will be enhanced as students analyze their individual and group performances.

This course provides students with a broad understanding of music. Students will learn to read and notate music, understand music vocabulary and terminology, and identify instruments by sight and sound. They will also learn about the history of music (from classical to current styles) and experience music from different cultures.

World Music Drumming is a course that is designed for music students with no prior background in music. It explores the aural traditions of music that come from cultures that are unlike American culture (primarily the music of West Coast Africa and the Islands of the Caribbean). The course involves participation in drumming and singing activities! This is a hands on class that has students "doing" the majority of classes. Great for students who like to move and be active during class.