Grades 9-12                                                         

5 Credits

A general music experience course for students in which they have hands on, kinesthetic music learning that includes discovering families of instruments, playing small percussion instruments, and improving verbal and fine motor skills through learning and vocalizing songs and learning simple notation and rhythm.  This course would also involve listening activities and level appropriate reading and writing activities as well.

5 Credits

Grade 9-12

This course is an introductory concert band course, and must be taken in order to take BAND II, BAND III or BAND III HONORS and BAND IV or BAND IV HONORS.  In this course, students will be introduced to the large ensemble setting and begin to work towards part independence on their main instrument. By the end of BAND I, students should be able to play their major scales up to and including four sharps and four flats in the key signature.  Students in this course should be able to execute grade 2 concert band literature.

5 Credits

Grade 10-12

This course is for students who have completed BAND I. Students in this course will be asked to play higher level ensemble parts than in BAND I and will be given opportunities for solos within the concert band setting. By the end of BAND II, students should be able to play their major scales up to six sharps and flats, and should be able to execute grade 2.5-3 concert band literature.   

Prerequisite: BAND I

5 Credits

Grade 11-12

This course is for students who have completed BAND I and BAND II. This course increases the rigor and individual musical ensemble responsibility in addition to solo repertoire responsibilities outside the concert band setting. Students will be given more rigorous solo responsibilities. By the end of this section, students will be able to play grade 3- 3 and ½ band literature, and will be able to play all 12 of their major scales in the NJ All State band required rhythm.

Prerequisites: BAND I & BAND II

 5 Credits

Grade 11-12

This course is for students who have completed BAND I and BAND II. This course increases the rigor and individual musical ensemble responsibility in addition to solo repertoire responsibilities outside the concert band setting. Students will be given more rigorous solo responsibilities. By the end of this section, students will be able to play grade 3- 3 and ½ band literature, and will be able to play all 12 of their major scales in the NJ All State band required rhythm. 

Prerequisite: BAND I, BAND II, and entry audition

5 Credits

Grade 12 

This course is for students who have completed prerequisites BAND I & II and BAND III OR BAND III Honors. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to develop a musical “portfolio” of prepared solo repertoire on their main instrument that can be used for auditions. Students in this course will be expected to perform all 12 Major and Natural Minor Scales. Students in this course should be able to successfully perform and attain higher level and more rigorous parts within their section in a concert band setting such as: solos and lead/first parts. 

Prerequisites: BAND I, BAND II, BAND III or BAND III HONORS 

5 Credits

Grade 12

This course is for students who have completed prerequisites BAND I & II and BAND III Honors. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to develop a musical “portfolio” of prepared solo repertoire on their main instrument that can be used for auditions. Students in this course will be expected to perform all 12 Major and Natural Minor Scales. Students in this course should be able to successfully perform and attain higher level and more rigorous parts within their section in a concert band setting such as: solos and lead/first parts. Students enrolled in BAND IV honors will be expected to perform grades 4-5 solo repertoire for a jury grade. 

Prerequisite: BAND I, BAND II, BAND III Honors 

Or

Prerequisite: BAND I, BAND II, BAND III and entry audition

Grade 9-12

2.5  Credits

This course explores the musical, historical and social influences that led to the development of today's popular music. It provides an overview of blues, jazz, swing, country, gospel, R&B, rock & roll, rap, and hip hop. The course pays special attention to the trends of the 1960s, including the influence of the British Invasion, the rock explosion and social upheaval of the late 1960’s, and the changes in popular music during the seventies, eighties, and nineties. Class activities include music listening, song analysis, group discussion and writing/presenting.

Grades 9-12                                                       

 5 Credits

A performance class to assist the student in understanding the acting and singing skills required of a musical theater artist. Through involvement in lecture/ demonstration and application, students will synthesize basic music, dance, and acting skills required to participate in a musical theater production

Grades 10-12

5 Credits

This is a course designed for students with a basic understanding of music theory.   Previous experience is required. Both aural and written theory will be stressed. The course culminates in the performance of both personal and school group music written and arranged by students in the class.

Prerequisite: Approval of Music Department teacher.

Grades 10-12                                5 Credits       

The AP Music Theory course corresponds to one or two semesters of a typical introductory college music theory course that covers topics such as musicianship, theory, musical materials, and procedures. Musicianship skills, including dictation and other listening skills, sight-singing, and harmony, are considered an important part of the course. Through the course, students develop the ability to recognize, understand, and describe basic materials and processes of tonal music that are heard or presented in a score. Development of aural skills is a primary objective. Performance is also part of the curriculum through the practice of sight-singing. Students understand basic concepts and terminology by listening to and performing a wide variety of music. Notational skills, speed, and fluency with basic materials are also emphasized.

2.5 Credits

Grade 9-12

This one-semester course is designed for the student who has very little to no piano or guitar experience. In this course, the student will learn the fundamentals of keyboard and guitar music, rudiments of music theory; perform on the piano and/or guitar; improvise; and incorporate music history, music of different cultures, and music of modern society in the assigned musical selections. The student will also acquire a working knowledge of music theory and appreciation. An opportunity will be given for duet and solo performances.

5 Credits

Grade 9-12

Students enrolled in chamber ensembles will be expected to perform high level chamber music in small groups based on availability of instrumentation. Students enrolled in this class will develop advanced musical communication skills within their ensemble through performance and peer coaching. 

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation 

5 Credits

Grade 9-12

This course develops the range and quality of the soprano, alto, tenor, or bass singing voice in the context of ensemble singing. It emphasizes the development of vocal technique through classical and musical theater repertoire. Fundamentals of posture, breath, registration, resonance and articulation will be introduced. 

5 Credits

Grade 10-12

This course develops the range and quality of the soprano, alto, tenor, or bass singing voice in the context of ensemble singing. It emphasizes the continued development of vocal technique through classical and musical theater repertoire. Technical expectations in Choir II include: the expansion of sight-singing material; the performance of three-part and four-part literature; the development of vowel production, intonation, balance, and blend; and expressive singing and stylistic representation.

Prerequisite: Treble Choir I/Bass Choir I

5 Credits

Grade 11-12

This course develops the range and quality of the soprano or alto singing voice in the context of ensemble singing. It emphasizes the continued development of vocal technique through classical and musical theater repertoire. Technical expectations in Choir III include: individually sight-singing selections varied keys; memorization of increasingly difficult selections; demonstrated understanding of articulations, expressive symbols, and terms; fluency in singing in languages other than English; and precise diction.

Prerequisite: Treble Choir II / Bass Choir II

5 Credits

Grade 11-12

This course develops the range and quality of the soprano, alto, tenor, or bass singing voice in the context of ensemble singing. It emphasizes the continued development of vocal technique through classical and musical theater repertoire. Technical expectations in Choir III include: individually sight-singing selections varied keys; memorization of increasingly difficult selections; demonstrated understanding of articulations, expressive symbols, and terms; fluency in singing in languages other than English; and precise diction. At the honors level this course requires solo singing and also includes the study of notation, the structure of scales, intervals, keys, triads, and simple harmonic progressions.

Prerequisite: Treble Choir I/Bass Choir I, Treble Choir II/Bass Choir II, and entry audition

5 Credits

Grade 12

This course develops the range and quality of the soprano, alto, tenor, or bass singing voice in the context of ensemble singing. It emphasizes the continued development of vocal technique through classical and musical theater repertoire. Technical expectations in Choir IV include: proficiency in vowel production, intonation, balance, and blend; demonstrated individuality; demonstrated leadership within the ensemble. 

Prerequisite: Treble Choir III/ Bass Choir III

5 Credits

Grade 12

This course develops the range and quality of the soprano, alto, tenor, or bass singing voice in the context of ensemble singing. It emphasizes the continued development of vocal technique through classical and musical theater repertoire. Technical expectations in Choir IV include: proficiency in vowel production, intonation, balance, and blend; demonstrated individuality; demonstrated leadership within the ensemble. At the honors level this course requires solo singing and also includes advanced study of notation, the structure of scales, intervals, keys, triads, and harmonic progressions.

Prerequisite:Treble Choir I/Bass Choir I, Treble Choir II/Bass Choir II, Treble Choir III Honors/ Bass Choir III Honors 

OR

Prerequisite: Treble Choir I/Bass Choir I, Treble Choir II/Bass Choir II, Treble Choir III/ Bass Choir III and entry audition

Music Academy Certificate Requirements

Instrumental Concentration

Music Theory                                         5 Credits

Band I                                                     5 Credits

Band II                                                    5 Credits

Band III Honors                                    5 Credits

Band IV Honors                                    5 Credits

Instrumental Chamber Music            5 Credits

Total                                                        25 Credits 

Vocal Concentration

Music Theory                                       5 Credits

Treble/Bass Choir I                             5 Credits

Treble/Bass II Honors                        5 Credits

Treble/Bass III Honors                       5 Credits

Treble/ Bass IV Honors                      5 Credits

Total                                                      25 Credits

Application, audition and entrance exam are required for honors courses.  Students who complete the 25 Credits in their track (vocal or instrumental) and fulfill all requirements will receive a Music Academy Certificate. 

** In the 2022-2023 academic year,  AP Music Theory will be included in the pathway and a requirement for certification.