PREREQUISITE: Must have an IEP
GRADE LEVEL: 7 and 8
LENGTH: All Year
CATEGORY: Required
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces students to rhythm instruments, singing, listening, and discussing musical pieces. Special emphasis is placed on meeting the student’s individual needs to succeed.
AREAS OF STUDY:
Rhythm Dynamics
Form Tone
Color Tempo
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Participation to the best of their physical /mental ability
PREREQUISITE: Previous elementary band experience or consent of instructor
GRADE LEVEL: 7 or 8
CATEGORY: Fine Arts Elective
LENGTH: All Year
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The Northwest Band Program provides a progressive learning situation that gives each student the opportunity to find expression through musical performance on a band instrument. The musical expression achieved through participation in the program is a creative activity that can become a vital, life-long interest for the student. The Northwest Band Program provides a curriculum that helps students study, appreciate and perform ensemble, literature of various styles and historical periods. Students will participate in daily group rehearsals and in individual or small group lessons once a week. Public performances are given as a culmination of this study and are a requirement of the course. There are also opportunities for participation in concert band festivals and area honor bands. Band students may audition for membership in the Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble which are select groups which meet outside the regular school day.
A chair placement test is given each trimester for the purpose of seating the band. During the first trimester this test is based on sightreading of a standardized test-the "Watkins-Farnum Performance Scale". During the second and third trimesters, the chair test is based on scales and a prepared etude.
AREAS OF STUDY:
Music Reading Skills Musical Concepts
Sight Reading Skills Musical Expression
Tone Quality Interpretation of Styles
Intonation/Ear Training Performance Techniques
Articulations Ensemble techniques
Breathing techniques Rehearsal techniques
Phrasing Music History
Terminology Stage Presence
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Attendance at all lessons and performances
Performance at a level appropriate to experience
Improvement of skills and understanding through individual practice and study
Responsibility for individual effort and contributions to group efforts
Attendance at other school group concerts and other musical performances to whatever extent possible
Students must wear the established attire when performing in public.
Students will develop the ability to listen attentively to other performing groups when performing in a concert which features multiple bands.
PREREQUISITE: None
GRADE LEVEL: 7
LENGTH: All Year
CATEGORY: Fine Arts Elective
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Choir 7 is open to all seventh graders. It involves the study of many styles and types of choral music written for two and three part voices. Public performances are given as a culmination of this study. Developing singing skills and music fundamentals are also an important part of the study. Choir 7 meets every day. Students who are in another performing group may be scheduled in Choir every other day. Choir students may audition for membership in the Select Choir. The Select choir is a select performance group that meets outside the regular school day.
AREAS OF STUDY:
Voice Skills Music Theory
Choral singing skills Music from all periods of history
Sight-reading skills
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Students enrolled are required to participate in the scheduled performances.
Performance at a level appropriate to experience
Improvement of skills and understanding through individual practice and study
Responsibility for individual effort and contributions to group efforts
Attendance at other school group concerts and other musical performances to whatever extent possible
Students must wear the established attire when performing in public
PREREQUISITE: None
GRADE LEVEL: 8
LENGTH: All Year
CATEGORY: Fine Arts Elective
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Choir 8 is open to all eighth graders. It involves the study of many styles and types of choral music written for three and four part mixed voices. Public performances are given as a culmination of this study. Developing singing skills and music fundamentals are also an important part of the study. Choir 8 meets every day. Students who are in another performing group may be scheduled into choir every other day. Choir students may audition for membership in the Select Choir. The Select Choir is a select performance group that meets outside the regular day.
AREAS OF STUDY:
Voice Skills Music Theory
Choral Singing Skills Music from all periods of history
Sight-reading skills
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Students enrolled are required to participate in the scheduled performances
Performance at a level appropriate to experience
improvement of skills and understanding through individual practice and study
Responsibility for individual effort and contributions to group efforts
Attendance at other school group concerts and other musical performances to whatever extent possible
Students must wear the established attire when performing in public
PREREQUISITE: None
GRADE LEVEL: 7
LENGTH: One Trimester
CATEGORY: Required for students not taking year-long Performance Music, or anyone who does not complete the entire year of Performance Music.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Music Technology and Electronic Instruments meets every day for one trimester. It is an exploratory course that introduces, reviews or extends learning about the elements of music through activities, the use of technology and “hands-on” experiences on the acoustic guitar, keyboard, electric guitar, electric bass, trap set and voice processor. Students are encouraged to discover what avenue of music may interest them the rest of their life (be it as a performer or as a consumer) and to become conscious of the value that music has in their life.
AREAS OF STUDY:
Elements of Music learn, review or expand knowledge of:
Rhythm, Beat, Tempo, Meter and Form
Note Symbols, Note Names and Note Values
Melody, the Treble Clef Staff and Reading notation while playing an instrument
Music and Technology
Use software to review, learn or expand their knowledge of the Elements of Music Explore composing using a notation program
Explore recording and mixing techniques
Acoustic and Electronic Instruments learn, review or expand knowledge of:
Electric Guitar and Bass, Trap Set, Keyboard and Voice Processor
Acoustic Guitar
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Bring materials to class daily (pen/pencil, 1-inch notebook with 4 binder dividers,
student planners)
Participate in all activities to the best of his/her ability
Be responsible for behavior and assigned work (including organizing a portfolio)
Be responsible for the proper handling and care of all equipment in the classroom
Be willing to learn new skills and accept challenges
PREREQUISITE: Previous study and consent of instructor
GRADE LEVEL: 7 OR 8
LENGTH: All year CATEGORY: Fine Arts Elective
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Concert orchestra is a string orchestra which performs several required evening concerts throughout the year. The performance of fine quality, well-written literature played in an accurate and musical style is a trademark of the group. Students also receive weekly lessons which focus on developing their technique through the study of scales, etudes and solo pieces.
AREAS OF STUDY:
Tonal discrimination and increasing proficiency in attaining pitches
Rhythmic accuracy and recognizing note values
Development of musical expression
Tone quality
Music reading skills
Sight reading skills
Performance techniques
Ensemble techniques
Rehearsal techniques
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Students enrolled are required to participate in the scheduled performances
Performance at a level appropriate to experiences
Improvement of skills and understanding through individual practice and study
Responsibility for individual effort and contributions to group efforts
Assume responsibility for individual practice in preparation for lessons and class
Attendance at other school group concerts and other musical performances to whatever extent possible
Students must wear the established attire when performing in public
PREREQUISITE: None
GRADE LEVEL: 8
LENGTH: One Trimester
CATEGORY: Fine Arts Elective
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Students will learn about the development of Rock and Roll through activities, video
and audio presentations. “Hands-on” experiences on the acoustic guitar, keyboard, electric guitar, electric bass, trap set and voice processor will teach, review or expand student’s knowledge of electronic instruments and prepare them to play in small group rock bands.
AREAS OF STUDY:
The History of Rock and Roll learn, review or expand knowledge of:
Musical Styles (blues, country, rock)
Playing versus Entertaining
Writing and Performing a Blues Song (small groups)
Les Polfuss and Gibson (credited with creating the electric guitar)
What Makes a Song “Good”? (listen to and evaluate musical examples from 1954, the first year or Rock and Roll, to present day)
Small Group Rock Bands (split up into bands and play a Classic Rock song)
Acoustic and Electronic Instruments learn, review or expand knowledge of:
Acoustic Guitar
Electric Guitar and Bass
Keyboard
Trap Set
Voice Processors
Music and Technology
Use software to review, learn or expand their knowledge of the Elements of Music
Use i-Tunes or Apple CD Player to play musical examples
Use a CD burner and mixer to record your Classic Rock band
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Bring pen/pencil to class daily
Participate in all activities to the best of his/her ability
Be responsible for behavior and assigned work
Be responsible for the proper handling and care of all equipment in the classroom
Be open to hearing and using various styles of songs from 1954 to present day
Be willing to learn new skills and accept challenges