Music Courses
Concert Band
Abbreviation: 7010 BAND
Term: Year
Grade Level(s): Year 9-12
Suggested Course Preparation: At least one year of instruction on a band instrument, and one year's experience performing in an ensemble.
This course can be repeated for credit for four years. This course can be used to fulfill the “f” requirement for the University of California and C.S.U.
The Concert Band is an intermediate ensemble open to students with some instrumental background who wish to be a part of a quality performing group. There will be a strong emphasis on instrumental techniques and music fundamentals taught through performance. As a result of participation in this class, the student will be ready to audition for more advanced ensembles.
Students will perform music drawn from our global heritage, including, but not limited to, the following music cultures: African, Asian, Eastern and Western European, Indian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, and North American. As a result of having discussed, studied, and performed the above, students will have a greater appreciation of cultural similarities and differences plus an increased awareness of the many contributions which enhance our lives.
Attendance at all performances is mandatory. Performance opportunities may include Winter and Spring Concerts, District/area festivals, home football games, solo/ensembles, feeder school concerts and graduation. There are also opportunities for individuals to audition for other ensembles: Jazz Band, All-State Honor Band, and the Santa Clara County Honor Band.
Symphonic Band
Abbreviation: 7013 SYMPH BAND
Term: Year
Grade Level(s): Year 9-12
Suggested Course Preparation: At least two years of instruction on a band instrument, and at least one year's experience performing in an ensemble. Instructor’s approval required.
This course can be used to fulfill the “f” requirement for the University of California and C.S.U. This course can be repeated for credit for four years.
The Symphonic Band is an advanced ensemble open to students with a strong instrumental background who wish to be part of a quality performing group. There will be a strong emphasis on performance techniques and developing a repertoire of the finest literature for performances. As a result of this experience, the student will be able to better express themselves creatively, and they will have a knowledge and appreciation of music history. Both performance and written assessments will be included in the curriculum.
Music will be drawn from our global heritage, including, but not limited to, the following music cultures: African, Asian, Eastern and Western European, Indian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, and North American. As a result of having discussed, studied, and performed the above, students will have a greater appreciation of cultural similarities and differences plus an increased awareness of the many contributions which enhance our lives.
Attendance at all performances is mandatory. Performance opportunities include Winter and Spring Concerts, District/area festivals, home football games, solo/ensemble, feeder school concerts, and graduation. There are also opportunities for individuals to audition for other ensembles: Jazz Band, All-State Honor Band, and the Santa Clara County Honor Band.
Jazz Ensemble
Abbreviation: 7023 JAZZ
Term: Year
Grade Level(s): Year 9-12
Prerequisite: instructor's approval. Students must be enrolled in Symphonic Band or Orchestra to be eligible for Jazz.
This course can be used to fulfill the “f” requirement for the University of California and C.S.U. This course can be repeated for credit for four years. This course will meet after school. Time TBA.
This course covers training in a wide variety of jazz styles including swing, be-bop, bossa nova, samba, ballads, funk, and jazz waltz. The Jazz Ensemble prepares for performances and for evaluation at various jazz festivals throughout the year. Through the performance portfolio process, student will have documented growth in the following areas: articulation, style, sound on their instrument, rhythm, intonation, counting, phrasing, and improvisation. Students will also demonstrate through their music and reports a broader understanding of different cultures and styles such as Afro, Cuban, Asian, and Latin music.
String Orchestra
Abbreviation: 7030 ORCHSTR
Term: Year
Grade Level(s): Year 9-12
Suggested Course Preparation: Past experience in playing orchestral string instruments: violin, viola, cello, bass, piano. (limited enrollment)
This course can be used to fulfill the “f” requirement for the University of California and C.S.U. This course can be repeated for credit for four years.
The String Orchestra consists exclusively of string instruments used in a standard symphony orchestra: violin, viola, cello, and bass. Since other instrumentalists are used only on occasion, wind (woodwinds and brasses) and percussion players may not enroll, but rather, will be drawn from the Symphonic Band class when needed for full orchestra literature.
Music Theory AP
Abbreviation: 7379 MU THRY AP
Term: Year
Grade Level(s): Year 11-12 or 9-10 with approval of instructor
Suggested Course Preparation: Previous experience with music is recommended; i.e., piano, instrumental or choral.
This course can be used to fulfill the “f” requirement for the University of California and C.S.U.
Basic music theory, i.e., names of lines and spaces of the grand staff, clef signs, key and time signatures, note and rest values, and scales, both major and minor, will serve as an introduction to the course. Ear training and dictation, sight reading and sight singing, form and analysis, and elementary orchestration will be part of the course. The harmony portion of the course will include the study of: chord structures, positions and inversions, harmonization of bass and soprano lines, use of the figured bass, and analysis of compositions for piano, chorus, and orchestra. Twentieth century theoretical techniques will also be emphasized. As a result of this study, students will be able to compose an original work and notate it correctly. This original composition will be performed in June and is required. A brief study of major periods of Western European Music (Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern, and Contemporary), American Music, and music from our global community will be included to aid the students in their understanding of musical form and style.
Concert Choir
Abbreviation: 7267 CONC CHOIR
Term: Year
Grade Level(s): Year 9-12
Prerequisite: None if tenor, baritone, or bass. Soprano/alto need Treble Choir, instructor's recommendation or audition.
This course can be used to fulfill the “f” requirement for the University of California and C.S.U. This course can be repeated for credit for four years.
The Concert Choir is open to students who enjoy singing and desire to participate in a quality singing group. There will be a strong emphasis on vocal production, phrasing, and diction with special work devoted to extending the vocal range of the singers. Basic music theory will be included to aid in the improvement of sight reading. Both performance and written tests will be included in the curriculum.
Music will be drawn from our global heritage, including, but not limited to, the following musical cultures: African, Asian, Eastern and Western European, Indian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, and North American. As a result of having discussed, studied, and performed the above, students will have a greater appreciation of cultural similarities and differences plus an increased awareness of the many contributions which enhance our lives.
Written critiques will be expected from all students describing the techniques, form, and content of pieces heard. There will be several performance opportunities for all: Fall, Winter, and Spring Concerts, Music Revues, district/area festivals, Baccalaureate, alumni, solo/ensemble, feeder school concerts and Spring Tour.
Also opportunities for individuals to audition for other ensembles and solos:
Madrigals Singers, Spectrum Singers, Solos for concerts/National Honor Choirs.
Advanced Vocal
Abbreviation: 7226 ADV VOCAL
Term: Year
Grade Level(s): Year 9-12
Including: Madrigal Singers, Spectrum Singers,Viking Mens' Chorus
An audition is required for acceptance into one of the advanced choirs.
This course can be used to fulfill the “f” requirement for the University of California and C.S.U.
This course can be repeated for credit upon recommendation of instructor.
These groups are open to students currently enrolled in Choir who have had a minimum of a year of training and performance with a choral group or by teacher approval. The groups meet evenings (with some special sectionals/rehearsals during lunch). It is a performance-oriented course, emphasizing vocal production, note reading skills and rehearsal and performance of repertoire appropriate for “chamber singing”; from madrigals to music of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern, and Contemporary periods along with works representative of other cultures of the world. These groups will be expected to perform extensively. Even though auditions for Advanced Vocal take place in September, students who are even considering auditioning should sign up.