Music
CONCERT BAND 9
This performance-based course is open to students of all skill levels. Students who demonstrate intermediate musical skills and/or have successfully completed Band 8 will be part of the full ensemble. Students who are new to band or have basic skills will receive guided instruction on their instruments to help them build skills that they will need to join with the full ensemble. As with all the bands, a variety of musical styles will be taught throughout the year.
Students will continue learning increasingly difficult music, starting at the Grade 2-2 ½ level of music repertoire. They also work on developing their listening skills, not only for tuning their own instruments but for listening across the band and understanding the importance of their part within the ensemble. The students study enharmonic tones, learning about half steps and whole steps, the make-up of a major scale which all leads to the understanding and ability to play major and chromatic scales.
Students will:
JAZZ BAND 9
(Students must also be concurrently enrolled in any concert band course, except piano & guitar players)
The performance-based course is for students with some previous jazz experience (Jazz Lab), and/or permission from the instructor. Standard jazz ensemble instruments are used, and a variety of styles are taught .Jazz concepts, theory, & history will be discussed, and all students will be shown how to solo appropriately. Classes are twice per week. This band is combined with Jazz Band 10 to form the “Intermediate Jazz Band”. Students will participate in all performances, festivals, and trips.
Students will:
CONCERT CHOIR 9
(Outside the timetable)
(This performance-based course is a non-auditioned Choral Ensemble class which meets out of the timetable twice per week. While it is not expected that each student will have previous vocal training or musical experience, it is expected that each ensemble member will develop in the following areas:
VOCAL MUSIC 9
(Inside the timetable)
Try all styles of vocal music in a choral context! This Grade 9 class gives students opportunity to explore and develop their voices both in a group setting and individually in a supportive, joyful environment. Choral singing helps build artistic, social, and leadership skills, as well as personal confidence and public speaking skills. This course will help students find their voice in a low pressure, fun environment.
CHAMBER CHOIR 9
This performance-based course, offered twice/week, is for students with little or no previous Jazz or Chamber Choir experience. This choir performs half of its repertoire on mics and half off, in a chamber style. They will strengthen their skills in reading harmonies, and they will experience solo opportunities as well. This group of singers is combined with Intermediate Chamber Jazz 10 and sometimes 11 or 12 to form the “Intermediate Chamber-Jazz Choir.”
Students will:
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC / GUITAR GRADE 9 - 12
Have you ever wanted to pick up an instrument and just start playing? Have you ever watched a musician explore an instrument and thought to yourself, “I wish I could do that!”. It’s easier than you think, and Contemporary Music can get you started! In this course, we’ll learn the basics of Guitar (or an alternate instrument) as a vehicle to uncover music and how it has evolved throughout history as cultures have shifted, giving rise to new musical genres. This is not a class for the musical elite. Wherever you are on your musical journey, this is the place where you can share, discuss, and defend your unique taste. From there, we can make connections to history and the building blocks of music. While establishing connections to genres that are prevalent today, we will delve into the styles and genres that are unique to various musical eras. Come and explore music us!
CONCERT BAND 10-12
This performance-based course is intended for those students in Grade 10 who demonstrate intermediate musical skills and/or have successfully completed Band 9. As with all the bands, a variety of musical styles will be taught throughout the year. The students are also required to do sectionals (two per month). These are student-lead rehearsals where they indicate their practiced repertoire and what needs to be worked on. It gives the students some ownership of their learning and how to help each other along the way.
Students will:
CONCERT CHOIR 10-12
(Monday 7:30 to 8:40 am and Thursday 3:20 to 4:30 pm)
This performance-based course is a non-auditioned Choral Ensemble class which meets out of the timetable twice per week. While it is not expected that each student will have previous vocal training or musical experience.
Students will develop:
INTERMEDIATE CHAMBER CHOIR 10
(Tuesday and Wednesday 3:20 to 4:30 pm) (Co-requisite: Concert Choir 10)
This performance-based course is an auditioned choral ensemble class for students with previous musical experience and training. This class is offered twice per week, and students must be enrolled in Concert Choir as the co- requisite course. Chamber Choir members can expect high performance demands, very challenging repertoire, and extra opportunities. Their role in Concert Choir: demonstrate leadership & mentorship, musical support & encouragement, and artistic modeling in sight-reading and technique.
Students will develop:
INTERMEDIATE JAZZ CHOIR 10
(Tuesday and Wednesday 3:20 to 4:30 pm) (Co-requisite: Concert Choir 10 & Senior Chamber Choir 10)
Senior Vocal Jazz is an auditioned, performance based Choral Ensemble class. Singers accepted into this ensemble must also take the co-requisite Concert Choir class. These singers can expect high performance demands and a very challenging repertoire and extra opportunities. Each ensemble member will develop the following areas:
SENIOR CHAMBER CHOIR 11 & 12
(Monday 3:20 to 4:30 pm and Thursday 7:30 to 8:55 am) (Co-requisite: Concert Choir)
This performance-based course is an auditioned choral ensemble class for students with previous musical experience and training. This class is offered twice per week, and students must be enrolled in Concert Choir as the co- requisite course. Chamber Choir members can expect high performance demands, very challenging repertoire, and extra opportunities. Their role in Concert Choir: demonstrate leadership & mentorship, musical support & encouragement, and artistic modeling in sight-reading and technique.
Students will:
SENIOR JAZZ CHOIR 11 & 12
(Wednesday 7:30 to 8:55 am and Thursday 4:00 to 5:10 pm)
(Co-requisite: Concert Choir & Senior Chamber Choir)
Senior Vocal Jazz is an auditioned, performance based Choral Ensemble class. Singers accepted into this ensemble must also take the co-requisite Concert Choir class. These singers can expect high performance demands and a very challenging repertoire and extra opportunities. Each ensemble member will develop the following areas:
This performance-based course is open to students of all skill levels. Students who demonstrate intermediate musical skills and/or have successfully completed Band 8 will be part of the full ensemble. Students who are new to band or have basic skills will receive guided instruction on their instruments to help them build skills that they will need to join with the full ensemble. As with all the bands, a variety of musical styles will be taught throughout the year.
Students will continue learning increasingly difficult music, starting at the Grade 2-2 ½ level of music repertoire. They also work on developing their listening skills, not only for tuning their own instruments but for listening across the band and understanding the importance of their part within the ensemble. The students study enharmonic tones, learning about half steps and whole steps, the make-up of a major scale which all leads to the understanding and ability to play major and chromatic scales.
Students will:
- Demonstrate improvement of tone and range on instrument Maintain a part within complex textures and harmonies
- Use appropriate music terminology to describe rhythm, metre and melody
- Demonstrate ability to perform increasingly difficult repertoire Perform at all concerts, tours, and festivals
JAZZ BAND 9
(Students must also be concurrently enrolled in any concert band course, except piano & guitar players)
The performance-based course is for students with some previous jazz experience (Jazz Lab), and/or permission from the instructor. Standard jazz ensemble instruments are used, and a variety of styles are taught .Jazz concepts, theory, & history will be discussed, and all students will be shown how to solo appropriately. Classes are twice per week. This band is combined with Jazz Band 10 to form the “Intermediate Jazz Band”. Students will participate in all performances, festivals, and trips.
Students will:
- Demonstrate improvement of tone and range on instrument Maintain a part within complex jazz textures and harmonies
- Use appropriate music terminology to describe rhythm, metre and melody
- Demonstrate ability to perform increasingly difficult repertoire.
CONCERT CHOIR 9
(Outside the timetable)
(This performance-based course is a non-auditioned Choral Ensemble class which meets out of the timetable twice per week. While it is not expected that each student will have previous vocal training or musical experience, it is expected that each ensemble member will develop in the following areas:
- Students will perform at all concerts, tours, workshops, and festivals.
VOCAL MUSIC 9
(Inside the timetable)
Try all styles of vocal music in a choral context! This Grade 9 class gives students opportunity to explore and develop their voices both in a group setting and individually in a supportive, joyful environment. Choral singing helps build artistic, social, and leadership skills, as well as personal confidence and public speaking skills. This course will help students find their voice in a low pressure, fun environment.
CHAMBER CHOIR 9
This performance-based course, offered twice/week, is for students with little or no previous Jazz or Chamber Choir experience. This choir performs half of its repertoire on mics and half off, in a chamber style. They will strengthen their skills in reading harmonies, and they will experience solo opportunities as well. This group of singers is combined with Intermediate Chamber Jazz 10 and sometimes 11 or 12 to form the “Intermediate Chamber-Jazz Choir.”
Students will:
- Demonstrate individual improvement of tone, range, and understanding of styles
- Maintain a vocal line within complex jazz chords, rhythms, and harmonies
- Use effective microphone technique and off mic vocal technique
- Demonstrate ability to perform increasingly difficult repertoire Participate in all school performances, tours, and trips
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC / GUITAR GRADE 9 - 12
Have you ever wanted to pick up an instrument and just start playing? Have you ever watched a musician explore an instrument and thought to yourself, “I wish I could do that!”. It’s easier than you think, and Contemporary Music can get you started! In this course, we’ll learn the basics of Guitar (or an alternate instrument) as a vehicle to uncover music and how it has evolved throughout history as cultures have shifted, giving rise to new musical genres. This is not a class for the musical elite. Wherever you are on your musical journey, this is the place where you can share, discuss, and defend your unique taste. From there, we can make connections to history and the building blocks of music. While establishing connections to genres that are prevalent today, we will delve into the styles and genres that are unique to various musical eras. Come and explore music us!
CONCERT BAND 10-12
This performance-based course is intended for those students in Grade 10 who demonstrate intermediate musical skills and/or have successfully completed Band 9. As with all the bands, a variety of musical styles will be taught throughout the year. The students are also required to do sectionals (two per month). These are student-lead rehearsals where they indicate their practiced repertoire and what needs to be worked on. It gives the students some ownership of their learning and how to help each other along the way.
Students will:
- Improve tone and range on instrument
- Maintain a part within complex textures and harmonies
- Use appropriate music terminology to describe rhythm, metre and melody
- Demonstrate ability to perform increasingly difficult repertoire
- Improve teamwork and listening skills through developing musical ensembles
- Perform at all concerts, tours, and festivals
CONCERT CHOIR 10-12
(Monday 7:30 to 8:40 am and Thursday 3:20 to 4:30 pm)
This performance-based course is a non-auditioned Choral Ensemble class which meets out of the timetable twice per week. While it is not expected that each student will have previous vocal training or musical experience.
Students will develop:
- Students will perform at all concerts, tours, workshops, and festivals.
INTERMEDIATE CHAMBER CHOIR 10
(Tuesday and Wednesday 3:20 to 4:30 pm) (Co-requisite: Concert Choir 10)
This performance-based course is an auditioned choral ensemble class for students with previous musical experience and training. This class is offered twice per week, and students must be enrolled in Concert Choir as the co- requisite course. Chamber Choir members can expect high performance demands, very challenging repertoire, and extra opportunities. Their role in Concert Choir: demonstrate leadership & mentorship, musical support & encouragement, and artistic modeling in sight-reading and technique.
Students will develop:
- Students will perform at all concerts, tours, festivals, and special events.
INTERMEDIATE JAZZ CHOIR 10
(Tuesday and Wednesday 3:20 to 4:30 pm) (Co-requisite: Concert Choir 10 & Senior Chamber Choir 10)
Senior Vocal Jazz is an auditioned, performance based Choral Ensemble class. Singers accepted into this ensemble must also take the co-requisite Concert Choir class. These singers can expect high performance demands and a very challenging repertoire and extra opportunities. Each ensemble member will develop the following areas:
- Students will perform at all concerts, tours, and festivals.
SENIOR CHAMBER CHOIR 11 & 12
(Monday 3:20 to 4:30 pm and Thursday 7:30 to 8:55 am) (Co-requisite: Concert Choir)
This performance-based course is an auditioned choral ensemble class for students with previous musical experience and training. This class is offered twice per week, and students must be enrolled in Concert Choir as the co- requisite course. Chamber Choir members can expect high performance demands, very challenging repertoire, and extra opportunities. Their role in Concert Choir: demonstrate leadership & mentorship, musical support & encouragement, and artistic modeling in sight-reading and technique.
Students will:
- Develop personal musicianship – artistry, interpretation, expression, musicality, literacy
- Technique – breathing, tone production, resonance, phrasing, support, tuning etc.
- Style – understanding of musical styles, genres, & musical periods through a variety of Chamber Choir literature
- Perform at all concerts, tours, festivals, and special events
SENIOR JAZZ CHOIR 11 & 12
(Wednesday 7:30 to 8:55 am and Thursday 4:00 to 5:10 pm)
(Co-requisite: Concert Choir & Senior Chamber Choir)
Senior Vocal Jazz is an auditioned, performance based Choral Ensemble class. Singers accepted into this ensemble must also take the co-requisite Concert Choir class. These singers can expect high performance demands and a very challenging repertoire and extra opportunities. Each ensemble member will develop the following areas:
- Musicianship—artistry, interpretation, expression musicality, literacy Technique—breathing, tone production, resonance, phrasing, support, tuning
- Style—understanding of jazz styles such as blues, swing, rock, funk, bossa nova, samba, and more
- Soloing—each member will have opportunities to solo both ad lib and written.