MUSIC

OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES.
The Music program at the Center for Performing and Fine Arts is dedicated to developing musically literate students, capable of effective musical communication through performance or composition. Students develop technical and artistic performance skills and an understanding of music’s relationship to cultural evolution, history and world cultures, in preparation for further studies.

The music discipline encompasses both vocal and instrumental perspectives. The vocal music program centers around the development of healthful vocal technique and care of the voice, ear training and sight singing, effective practice techniques and audition preparation, and the technical and historical significance of various styles. Instrumental music integrates theory, composition, and history as they relate to the development of playing skills and audition preparation. The ability of students to perform both as solo and ensemble instrumentalists is paramount and a main focus of developing performance skills. A range of ensembles will be available depending on students’ needs and interests.

THE PROCESS
To create students who are musically literate and capable of effective musical communication, students in the performing and fine arts program are actively involved as both composers and performers. They develop the necessary skills and knowledge to evaluate the technical and expressive components in the music of other composers, time periods, and cultures, and utilize that information in the creation of expressive performances and compositions.

True communication and literacy require students to be listening, interpreting, understanding, reading and writing – all skills necessary for fully functioning musicians. As young children learn to communicate, they quickly find that others have opinions and feelings. Beginning music students frequently mimic the styles of those they know and like best. As they mature, their understanding of the world becomes deeper. Musically, this translates into a greater understanding of music of other cultures, times, and genres, that may be interpreted in the use of richer harmonies, more interesting rhythmic nuance, a more complex response in texture, or a combination of techniques that underscore meaning in new ways. This process yields dynamic musicians who are prepared to study music at the college level or participate in the world’s musical conversation, whatever their choice may be.

A WORD ABOUT PRACTICING
Some forms of practice yield better results than others, so students should practice wisely and efficiently. That being the case, time spent is not the best measure of work done. Just as cramming for an exam produces little in the line of long term learning and comprehension, needlessly long or unfocused practice sessions yield little in the development of skills or love for the endeavor. The younger or less experienced the student, the shorter and more frequent the practice sessions should be.

Specific instructions to vocal and instrumental students regarding practice strategies are reviewed in class and also published on the school portal and in the music department handbook. Please refer to either of these sources for more detailed information.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The artistic and intellectual growth, health, and well-being of every student are primary concerns of the music department. Department policies are based on these abiding concerns.

Course placement and prerequisites are solely at the discretion of the instructor or department chair, as stated in the course description. Placement is not solely based on number of years of study or grade level.

Textbooks and sheet music are provided for students except in the case of music books for instrumental lessons. Both books and music must be returned in good clean condition. While it is common for musicians to write lightly in pencil on music, marking must be kept to a minimum and books must be erased thoroughly before being returned.

Grades are a based upon specific criteria that at times require subjective qualitative judgments by the instructor. The instructor or department chair will have final discretion regarding evaluations and grades.

The music program is a performance based program. Performance participation is a requirement and a component of the grade in most music courses, regardless of whether it is an in-class or out-of-class performance. While the number of performances may vary from class to class, most will require a minimum of two performances outside regular school hours during the course of the school year. While every effort will be made to announce required performances as soon as possible, notice will be given at least eight weeks prior to the event.

Performance Attire will be established according to the event. Some events may require students look similar. In such cases, students may need black skirts or slacks, black shoes, and white shirts or blouses.

Course Offerings - Lower School

Voice I
Voice I class is designed for the beginning vocalists, looking to gain experience and basic technique. Classes focus on the fundamentals of breathing, vowel placement, sight-reading and ear training. A wide-ranging repertoire is studied with emphasis on classical and contemporary genres. Solo and choral repertoire is studied. Theories of technique, anatomy and physiology are introduced.

Voice II
This class continues vocal development with an expanded range and repertoire. Classes include written, spoken and sung exercises. This course helps students develop healthy, reflexive voices and musicality through performance in solo and choral singing, the study of anatomy and physiology, the development of vocabulary, and skills in reading music notation. Students study music from a variety of time periods and traditions.

Voice III
In Voice III, students explore a range of vocal performance opportunities and practice exercises to continue to develop a healthy and well cared for voice. Music appreciation is studied to a greater degree and historical perspectives are discussed.

Music Perspectives
Music Perspectives is a foundational music course for any student with little to no prior music training, yet is interested in the subject. Students will learn strategies for effective practice, investigate standard and interpretive notation and become proficient in performing various meters, scales and harmonies, all through exploration of a variety of instruments, including the voice. A beginning level music vocabulary is built, which will include elements of theory, notation, musicianship, and various composers and genres.

Keyboard I
This course provides students with the opportunity to explore their knowledge of music through the introduction of keyboard technique, performance, and composition. It will incorporate music theory, musicianship, history, and compositional styles. Students will acquire a basic music vocabulary and learn techniques associated with specific composers and genres. Students will have the opportunity to share their work in classroom performances and recitals.

Strings I
This class, for beginning strings students, focuses on instilling proper playing habits and starting to create a musical vocabulary. Introduction to body alignment issues, instrument and bow holds, finger technique, and intonation are given and developed accordingly for each student. Both solo and ensemble playing skills are addressed, in addition to aural and critical listening skills, music notation knowledge, and appreciation of a variety of string repertoire.

Strings II
In this class, learning about music through performance on a string instrument is continued and expanded. Individual playing skills are further developed, focusing on elements such as: bowing style, intonation, facility in major and minor key signatures, and advanced hand positions (when appropriate). The nurturing of the artistic musician is emphasized through attention to style, phrasing, and expression while playing. Ensemble playing issues of balance, blend, listening, and communication are also addressed.

Woodwinds I
Woodwinds I is for beginning flute, clarinet, oboe, and saxophone students. It focuses on instilling proper playing habits and starting to develop a musical vocabulary. Introduction to embouchure, body alignment issues, instrument hold, tonguing, and breathing are given and cultivated accordingly for each student. Both solo and ensemble playing skills are addressed, in addition to aural and critical listening skills, music notation knowledge, and knowledge of basic woodwind repertoire.

Woodwinds II
In this class, learning about music through performance on a woodwinds instrument is continued and expanded. Individual playing skills are further developed, focusing on elements such as: intonation, facility in major and minor key signatures, finger technique, and vibrato (when appropriate). The nurturing of the artistic musician is emphasized through attention to style, phrasing, and expression while playing. Ensemble playing issues of balance, blend, listening, and communication are also addressed.

Guitar I
This course teaches students how to perform and read music on the guitar as well as learn basic music theory and composition as it relates to the instrument. Various styles of music are studied, including rock, jazz, classical guitar, and blues. Students will be required to perform in group recitals.

Guitar II
This is a comprehensive course in guitar performance and composition. It allows students to perform various styles of music specifically jazz (and all related forms of jazz music), Classical guitar, and Blues. The class will place an emphasis on improvisational technique and understanding to give students well rounded versatility in their performance. There will also be a heavy emphasis on music analysis and composition related to the pieces performed in class. Audition is required to take this course.

Course Offerings - Upper School

Voice I
Voice I class is designed for the beginning vocalists, looking to gain experience and basic technique. Classes focus on the fundamentals of breathing, vowel placement, sight-reading and ear training. A wide-ranging repertoire is studied with emphasis on classical and contemporary genres. Solo and choral repertoire is studied. Theories of technique, anatomy and physiology are introduced.

Voice II
This class introduces The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and its application to the performance of English and Italian song. Classes include written, spoken and sung exercises. This course helps students develop healthy, reflexive voices and musicality through performance in solo and ensemble singing, the study of anatomy and physiology, the development of vocabulary, and skills in reading music notation. Students study music from a variety of time periods and traditions, learn standard and interpretive notation, and use Kodaly solfege and handsigns as tools to enhance intonation and their understanding of scale, melody and harmony.

Voice III
In Voice III, students explore a range of vocal perspectives and the expansion of range as well as repertoire. Participants should leave each class better informed about approaches different from their own, enriched by the exchange of ideas, and stimulated to learn more. It is expected that Voice III students have a sufficient understanding of theories of technique, anatomy and physiology. Music theory through vocal performance is emphasized.

Keyboard
This course provides students with the opportunity to explore their knowledge of music through the introduction to and development of keyboard technique, performance, and composition. It will incorporate music theory, musicianship, history, and various compositional styles. Students will acquire a fundamental music vocabulary and learn techniques associated with specific composers and genres. Students will have the opportunity to share their work in classroom performances and recitals.

Theory and Composition
This course is designed for students who are interested in becoming more deeply involved in the compositional aspect of music. Theory and Composition focuses on music theory and how its many elements come together in a variety of compositional styles and genres. Investigation of pieces will include music from the 1300s to present time and a wide range of cultures. Through this investigation and the creation compositions, students will develop an understanding of pitch and tonality, scales and modes, rhythm, form, texture, harmony, transposition, and basic melody writing.

Strings I
This class, for beginning strings students, focuses on instilling proper playing habits and creating the foundation to an advanced musical vocabulary. Introduction to and development of proper body alignment, instrument and bow holds, finger technique, and intonation is focused on individually. Both solo and ensemble playing skills are addressed, in addition to aural and critical listening skills, music notation knowledge, and appreciation of a variety of string repertoire.

Strings II
In Strings II, students will expand their knowledge of music through performance on a stringed instrument. Individual and ensemble playing skills are further developed, focusing on elements such as: bowing style, intonation, facility in major and minor key signatures, advanced hand positions (when appropriate), balance/blend, and listening. The nurturing of the artistic musician is emphasized through attention to style, phrasing, and expression while playing.

Woodwinds I
Woodwinds I is for students with little to no experience on flute, clarinet, oboe, or saxophone. This class focuses on instilling and developing proper playing habits and creating the foundation to an advanced musical vocabulary. Introduction to embouchure, body alignment issues, instrument hold, tonguing, and breathing are given and cultivated accordingly for each student. Both solo and ensemble playing skills are addressed, in addition to aural and critical listening skills, music notation knowledge, and knowledge of basic woodwind repertoire.

Woodwinds II
In this class, students will expand their knowledge of music through performance on a woodwinds instrument. Individual and ensemble playing skills are further developed, focusing on elements such as: intonation, facility in major and minor key signatures, finger technique, vibrato (when appropriate), balance/blend, ensemble breathing, and listening. The nurturing of the artistic musician is emphasized through attention to style, phrasing, and expression while playing.

Guitar I
This course teaches students how to perform and read music on the guitar as well as learn basic music theory and composition as it relates to the instrument. Various styles of music are studied, including rock, jazz, classical guitar, and blues. An introduction to improvisation is included during the course. Students will be required to perform in group recitals.

Guitar II
This is a comprehensive course in guitar performance and composition. Students perform specific styles of music, including jazz (and all related forms of jazz music), Classical guitar, and blues. The class places a strong emphasis on improvisational technique and understanding to give the student well rounded versatility in their performance. There will also be a focus on music analysis and composition related to the pieces performed in class. An audition is required as a prerequisite for this course.

E-mail: music@palcs.org