The Music Department at BHS offers a variety of
elective courses that are designed to meet the needs, interests, and
musical proficiencies of all levels of students. All of these music area
courses offerings will meet the fine arts requirement for graduation.
AP Music Theory
Credit: 1
Course Length: 1 Year
AP Music Theory is a college level course of
notation, harmony, chord progression, style, expressive elements and ear
training. The course covers material offered in university theory level
1. In May students have the opportunity to receive college credit by passing the national AP exam.
Symphony Orchestra
Credit: 1
Course Length: 1 Year
Prerequisite - Audition with Director, grades 10-12
Symphony Orchestra is a performance ensemble
for qualified string, wind and percussion players. The class provides
instruction in technical development, refinement of music skill, study
of various musical styles and literature, chamber music, and an
opportunity to participate in a variety of performance, festivals, and
travels. Symphony I is the premier full orchestra and Symphony II is for
advance players working toward Symphony I.
Kamerata Orchestra
Credit: 1
Course Length: 1 Year
Prerequisite - Audition with Director, grades 10-12, Be a member of one of the concert orchestras
The Kamerata Orchestra is made up of the most
advanced string students who will be challenged by the rehearsal and
performance of difficult orchestral literature. With the expectation of a
very high level of achievement, the class will develop the creative and
expressive potential of the serious student. Students participate in
various concerts, festivals, and travel opportunities.
Concert Orchestra
Credit: 1
Course Length: 1 Year
Prerequisite - Previous orchestra experience, grade 9
Concert Orchestra is a performance ensemble
for qualified string players. The class provides instruction in string
technique, rhythm and theory, studying various musical styles and
literature, and an opportunity to participate in a variety of
performance, festivals, and travels.
Concert Band
Credit: 1
Course Length: 1 Year
Prerequisite - Previous band experience, grade 9
This instrumental ensemble will concentrate
on the development of basic performance and musicianship skills for wind
and percussion players. The class will provide instruction in technical
development and study of a variety of band literature. Performance
opportunities may include: concerts, festivals and small ensemble
experience (Pep Band and Jazz Ensemble).
Symphony Band
Credit: 1
Course Length: 1 Year
Prerequisite - Audition with Director; grades 10-12
Symphony Band is the premiere band at BHS,
individual desire, discipline, enthusiasm, technical skills, and
musicianship are fundamental requirements for members of this group. The
class will provide technical development, study of the finest
contemporary and traditional wind literature, and participation in a
variety of concerts, festivals, marching performances, smaller
ensembles, and travel opportunities.
Advanced Concert Band
Credit: 1
Course Length: 1 Year
Prerequisite - Audition with Director, grades 10-12
This large performance ensemble places its
emphasis on quality performance of standard band literature. Besides
continued technical development, this class provides the opportunity for
its members to participate in a variety of concerts, festivals,
marching performance, travel, and smaller ensembles (Pep Band and Jazz
Ensembles) .
Jazz Band
Credit: 1
Course Length: 1 Year
Prerequisite - By Audition Only, and must
be enrolled in one of the following musical ensembles; Symphony Band,
Concert Band, or Adv. Concert Band. Exceptions to this will be handled
by the director for students in orchestra or choir. Jazz Band I meets
daily during zero period (7:30-8:30 am), and Jazz Band II meets daily
during 5th period (9:29-10:19 am).
Students must audition with the director for
placement in one of the jazz ensembles. Students will study a variety of
musical styles and will have the opportunity to develop personal skills
in the art of improvisation. Students must be self motivated and well
disciplined.
Concert Choir
Credit: 1
Course Length: 1 Year
Prerequisite - Audition with Director; grades 11-12
The Concert Choir is a 50-60 voice choir of
mixed voices and is the major performance vocal ensemble at BHS. Each
student must demonstrate a high caliber of vocal skill and musicianship.
The class provides a refinement of musical skills and vocal technique,
study of a variety of choral styles and literature, and participation in
various concerts, festivals, and travel opportunities.
Chamber Choir
Credit: 1
Course Length: 1 Year
Prerequisite - Audition with Director; grades 10-12
The chamber choir is open to all students as
an audition, mixed voice (SATB) choir. The class provides the
development of vocal techniques and musicianship through the study and
performance of a variety of choral styles and literature. Students will
have the opportunity to participate in various concepts, festivals, and
travel.
Advanced Women's Choir
Credit: 1
Course Length: 1 Year
Prerequisite - Audition with Director; grades 10-12
The Advanced Women's Choir is open to all students as
an audition women's choir. The class provides the development of choral
skills and musicianship through the study and performance of a variety
of choral styles and literature. Students will have the opportunity to
participate in a variety of performance, festivals, and travel.
Varsity Choir
Credit: 1
Course Length: 1 Year
Prerequisite - Previous choral Music Experience
This choir of soprano and alto voices will be
opened to any interested student with the goal of developing basic
vocal, performance, and musicianship skills. The class will provide
study of a variety of choral literature and performance opportunities.
Tenor/Bass Choir
Credit: 1
Course Length: 1 Year
Prerequisite - Previous choral Music Experience; grades 9-12
This choir is open to all students that sing
in the tenor, baritone or bass range, with the goal of developing basic
vocal, performance, and musicianship skills. The class will provide a
variety of choral styles to include lighter music, Barbershop, and
standard tenor/bass literature.
Jazz Choir
Credit: 1
Course Length: 1 Year
Prerequisite - Member of Concert Choir, Audition with Director
The BHS Jazz Choir will be comprised of 16-25
singers auditioned out of the BHS Concert Choir. This choir will
rehearse and perform primarily vocal jazz music. Performance
opportunities will include concerts and community outreach programs
(i.e. luncheons, service club meetings, etc.)
Guitar Class
Credit: 1
Course Length: 1 Year
Prerequisite - Approval of Instructor
Guitar Class is a new course in 2013-2014 offered through the Bridger Alternative Program. This is a differentiated course for students from beginners through intermediate. There will be "informances" and service performances throughout the school year.
Middle School Course Description
Band
This year-long class is designed to develop
skills in instrument playing, as well as increase musical understanding
through performance. The main emphasis at this level is on skill
development. Students enrolling in this class should have one year of
playing experience through school classes or private lessons. Band
students also participate one day a week in a music enrichment class,
which further enhances skills in music theory, note reading,
composition, music history, and culture.
Choir
Choir is a performance group, open to all
students, developed to the study and performance of music from a wide
spectrum of styles. The class includes an introduction to fundamental
singing techniques. Choir is a year-long class and meets four times
weekly.
Orchestra
This year long class is designed to develop
skills instrumental playing, as well as increase musical understanding
through performance. The main emphasis at this level is on skill
development. Students enrolling in this class should have one year of
playing experience through school classes or private lessons.
World Music
This is an active music class exploring the
culture of the world through music. Students play drums, percussion
instruments, listen, read, and compose music through the study of
Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and Native North America.
Elementary School Course Description
Elementary General Music:
A course for all
students kindergarten through 5th grade, this class is taught by a
certified music specialist with training in music theory, performance,
styles and history. The focus of this course is to teach a basic
understanding of music theory, styles and history through
age-appropriate activities, games and songs. Students sing, play
instruments, listen, compose, arrange, improvise, read and analyze music
as they learn in context with history and the other educational
subjects and arts.
Beginning Band and Orchestra:
Offered to all 5th grade students, this
course teaches basic hand positions and embouchures on all instruments.
Double reed players of oboe are strongly urged to take private lessons
and bassoon is not offered. Harp is only included if the student is
studying privately. Students receive instruction in choosing an
instrument, beginning music reading, phrasing, breathing, rhythm
understanding, posture, care and maintenance, and performance. The
groups perform twice during the year and a festival with clinicians
specializing in each instrument is offered in the spring of the year.