High School Music Grades 10-12

The Central Bucks Music Program provides students with the opportunity to develop skills in music performance and composition, and to appreciate music as an art form. Instrumental and choral performing ensembles form the core of the program. Music Theory and Music Technology course are intended for the student musician who is considering music as a future vocation or hobby.  All high school music courses are offered as electives.  Performance groups meet for ninety minutes on alternate days for the entire year.  All courses in Music are offered only if there is sufficient enrollment.

Courses are offered for Band, Choir, Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble.  Continued musical growth and development of technical skills, reading ability and general musicianship is emphasized. Students in these courses have opportunities to participate in many extra-curricular activities including marching band, pit orchestra, and various kinds of instrumental and vocal ensembles. In addition to participating in school activities, many of the groups also participate in exhibitions and competitions. The most talented musicians may also audition for county, district, regional and all-state festivals.  Over 25% of our high school students are enrolled in music performance groups.

Band

8020 Concert Band     (36 weeks, A/B schedule, 1 Credit)

Concert Band is designed for students in grades ten, eleven and twelve who choose to continue their educational interests in band music. Students receive experience playing a variety of musical styles and continue their development of musical skills and techniques. Public performances are scheduled throughout the year, including concert and marching settings. Individual instruction on specific instruments may take place within the larger group rehearsal.  However, emphasis is on the ensemble experience and the individual’s performance as a responsibility to the group’s overall success. Students are eligible to audition for County and District Band.    

Participation in the band program includes required after-school and evening rehearsals as determined by the director.  All band members are encouraged to participate in the Marching Band. Marching Band is one of the most visible extracurricular activities in the high school and provides the opportunity for motivated musicians to attain higher levels of musical performance.  Prerequisite: Participation in the middle school band program or the equivalent, by audition, and/or approval of the high school band director.

 

8660 Symphonic Band     (36 weeks, A/B schedule, 1 Credit)

Symphonic Band designed for students in grades ten, eleven and twelve who choose to continue their educational interests in band music. Students receive experience playing a variety of musical styles and continue their development of musical skills and techniques. Public performances are scheduled throughout the year, including concert and marching settings. Individual instruction on specific instruments may take place within the larger group rehearsal.  However, emphasis is on the ensemble experience and the individual’s performance as a responsibility to the group’s overall success. Students are eligible to audition for County and District Band.

Participation in the band program includes required after-school and evening rehearsals as determined by the director.  All band members are encouraged to participate in the Marching Band.  Marching Band is one of the most visible extracurricular activities in the high school and provides the opportunity for motivated musicians to attain higher levels of musical performance. Prerequisite: Participation in the Concert Band is desirable, but not required. Admission is by audition or approval of the high school band director.

 

8665 Jazz Ensemble     (36 weeks, A/B schedule, 1 Credit)

Jazz Ensemble is offered as an opposite-day companion course to the Symphonic Band course.  Students taking this course must be enrolled in the Symphonic Band.  This course is open by audition to students who play the saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass or drums.  Classes are devoted to the serious study of a wide variety of jazz music and styles. Emphasis is placed on the development of the style, interpretation, and the technical skills needed for jazz performance along with the historical aspects of this American art form.  Participation in the Jazz Ensemble includes required after-school and evening rehearsals and performances as determined by the director.  This ensemble will be involved in several jazz competitions and festivals in the spring that generally occur on Friday evenings and some Saturdays.  Prerequisite: Audition and/or approval by high school jazz ensemble director.

 

8625 Jazz Lab     (18 weeks or 36 weeks, A/B schedule, .5 or 1 credit)

Jazz Lab class is offered as an opposite-day companion to the Concert Band class.  Students taking this course must be enrolled in the Concert Band.  This course is open to all instrumentalists wanting to increase their knowledge of jazz performance, improvisation, styles, and history.  Emphasis is placed on the development of the style, interpretation, and the technical skills needed for jazz performance along with the historical aspects of this American art form.

Orchestra

8664 Orchestra     (36 weeks, A/B schedule, 1 Credit)

Orchestra is offered to students who play violin, viola, cello, or double bass. Students will have the opportunity to continue their skill development in the areas of vibrato, bowing techniques, and higher positions through the practice and performance of fine orchestral literature. Numerous performances in the school and community will be scheduled. Students are eligible to audition for County and District Orchestra. Participation in Orchestra includes required after-school and evening rehearsals as determined by the director. Prerequisite: Participation in the middle school orchestra program or the equivalent, by audition, and/or approval of the high school orchestra director.

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Chorus

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8661 Chorus- Grade 10     (36 weeks, A/B schedule, 1 Credit)

Chorus is offered to sophomores who enjoy singing in a vocal ensemble. Active participation and pursuit of individual musical growth are essential for the successful performance of vocal music. Students will learn to develop proper vocal technique and performance discipline. Emphasis will be placed on training the singers to become better musicians through the use of choral repertoire.  

The Chorus will perform both classical and contemporary works at the appropriate developmental level. A repertoire will be chosen that reflects a variety of styles, forms, and cultures and includes both sacred and secular texts. School and community performances will be scheduled throughout the year. Students are eligible to audition for County and District Chorus as well as for select vocal ensembles. Participation in the choral program includes required evening rehearsals as determined by the director and all scheduled concerts. Prerequisite: Participation in the middle school choral program is desirable but not required.

 

8662 Choir- Grades 11, 12     (36 weeks, A/B schedule, 1 Credit)

Choir is offered to juniors and seniors who enjoy singing in a vocal ensemble and have completed at least one year of high school music training. Active participation and pursuit of individual growth are essential for the successful performance of vocal music. Students will continue to develop proper vocal technique and performance discipline.

The Choir performs both classical and contemporary works at the highest standard. A repertoire will be chosen that reflects a variety of styles, forms, and cultures and includes both sacred and secular texts. School and community performances will be scheduled frequently throughout the year. Students are eligible to audition for District and Regional Chorus as well as for select vocal ensembles. Participation in the choral program includes required evening rehearsals as determined by the director and all scheduled concerts. Prerequisite: Participation in Chorus-Grade 10 is desirable, but not required.

Music Theory

8667 Music Theory     (18 weeks, A/B schedule .5 Credit)

Music Theory develops the basic rudiments of music and introduces functional harmony studies. This course is designed for experienced music performers who wish to further their musical understanding, and is intended as a precursor to Advanced Placement Music Theory. Prerequisite: Basic music reading skills.

 

8600 Advanced Placement Music Theory     (27 weeks, A/B schedule, .75 Credit- Weighted)

AP Music Theory provides an in-depth study of the processes of music performance, composition and analysis by focusing on the development of: (1) complex aural skills; (2) skills in the written analysis of functional harmony; (3) sight singing techniques; (4) music composition skills; (5) keyboard skills and (6) understanding of musical form and history. Students who take this course should have acquired basic skills in vocal or instrumental performance. This course will only be offered if there is sufficient enrollment. Students taking this course should plan to take the AP Music Theory test in May. AP Weighted-Grade course. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Music Theory OR a passing score on the Theory Placement Test.

 

8601 Music Theory Extension (9 weeks, A/B schedule, .25 credit, Marking Period 4)

Music Theory Extension is intended for students who are enrolled in AP Theory 8600 and desire to continue music theory study, including preparation for the AP Theory Test and additional music composition and analysis. Prerequisite: Students taking this course must have completed Advanced Placement Music Theory

Music Technology

8620 Music Technology     (18 weeks A/B schedule, .5 credit)

This course allows students to explore music technology applications and techniques by utilizing MIDI workstations. Students will learn in a hands-on environment, developing skills with sequencing, notation, and other music software.  This course offers computer applications credit towards application.

High School Music Teachers 2007-2008