Music
Music Courses
- Adaptive Music Experience
- Band I
- Band II
- Band III
- Band III Honors
- Band IV
- Band IV Honors
- History of Popular Music
- Music Theatre Workshop
- Music Theory
- AP Music Theory
- Guitar & Piano Lab
- Instrumental Chamber Music
- Choir I
- Choir II
- Choir III
- Choir III Honors
- Choir IV
- Choir IV Honors
- Music Academy
Adaptive Music Experience
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.
Band I
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.
Band II
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
Band III
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- 3.5 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
Band III Honors
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- 3.5 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
Band IV
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
Band IV 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
History of Popular Music
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.
Music Theatre Workshop
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
Music Theory
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.
AP Music Theory
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.
Prerequisite: Music Theory and Teacher Recommendation
Guitar & Piano Lab
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.
Instrumental Chamber Music
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
Choir I
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.
Choir II
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: Choir I
Choir III
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: Choir II
Choir III Honors
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: Choir I, Choir II, and entry audition
Choir IV
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: Choir III
Choir IV Honors
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:Choir I, Choir II, Choir III Honors
OR
Prerequisite: Choir I, Choir II, Choir III and entry audition
Music Academy
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.
Be Part of the Music at MTHS!
Register for band or choir for the 2021-2022 school year.
Opportunities to Be Part of the Music at MTHS:
Classes
- Band
- Choir
Clubs/Activities
- Drama Club/Spring Musical
- Jazz Band
- Marching Band
- Varsity Vocals
Did you know that students involved in music:
- Get higher grades and test scores
- Score higher in math
- Have higher graduation rates
- Do better in foreign languages
Learn more about the benefits of music classes in this Parent Information Flyer.