• Seventh Grade FINE ARTS Mini-Courses:  Music

    [5-10 weeks each]

    Courses with ¯ indicate playing and/or performing!

     

    Students will create a preference list of art and music courses in the Spring of their 6th grade year and will be assigned accordingly for 7th grade.  Below is a list of currently offered music classes—list is subject to change!

     

    ¯ Beginning Piano:  Learn basic piano skills using right and left hands (treble and bass clef).  Students will be able to play scales and simple two-hand songs by end of course. Prerequisite:  All students will have some prior keyboard experience from Elementary classes.   10 week course

     

    ¯ Folk Dancing: Learn traditional dances from around the world.  These will be organized dances with specific steps.  Possibility of a performance of what we learn is likely.  Students will come away with knowledge of basic dance vocabulary and movements as well as some insight into traditions of several countries.   5 week course

     

    Musical Theater:  Students will learn basic theater vocabulary, study some famous musical theater composers and their works and view one full musical (most likely, although the possibility of a field trip exists).  Possibly attempt to stage a scene from a show.  5 week course

     

    Music Technology:  Students will experiment with various music software and in doing so will learn and review many musical concepts from reading, to listening, to composing and understanding.  5 week course

     

     

    ¯ Beginning Guitar :  Students will learn beginning guitar skills including:  melody playing, chord strumming and picking, strengthening exercises and ensemble playing.  This course will allow students to work at their own pace, to a degree.  Students who excel will be able to do enrichment activities.  Performances are a possibility.  STUDENTS MUST PROVIDE THEIR OWN GUITAR AND WILL BE EXPECTED TO PRACTICE!!

     

     

     

      

     

    History of Rock/Popular Music:  A close look and listen to the evolution of popular music from the 1900’s to present.  Students will be responsible for a project involving the group, artist or style of their choice.  Course will include at least one distant learning sessions in conjunction with the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame.  10 week course

     Beatles
     

    ¯ Percussion Ensemble: Learn to play nice with others!  Students will learn to play basic and complex rhythms using a variety of percussion instruments.  The goal is to be able to play a few pieces as a group for some type of performance at the end.  (Actual percussionists from band are welcome, but anyone may sign up)  5 week course

     

     
     
    Elementary Chorus (Grades 4 & 5)
     Elementary chorus is an introduction to singing and performing with a large group.  Students will learn to sing in two independant parts, follow and read choral music, and prepare for two concerts.  Students will wear "Sunday Best" for concerts--any dress clothes are acceptable, but try to avoid jeans and t-shirts with writing.  No particular colors are required. 
     

     

     

    Middle Level Chorus (Grades 6-8)

    And

    Senior High Chorus (grades 9-12)

     

    Chorus is a performance based class which meets every other day for the whole year.  In chorus students will learn to improve their singing technique, read music, follow a conductor and blend with the group.  Often times, the songs that are rehearsed and performed take us on journeys in which we learn about other cultures or specific composers and/or music styles.  We learn about the many aspects of performing for an audience including proper stage presence and etiquette.

    There are generally two required concerts per school year, but there are several other opportunities that one may choose to take advantage of if one is interested.  The study and performance of a NYSSMA solo in the spring is encouraged and can lead a student to be chosen for Bi-county and even Area All-State Festivals.
     
    We require black and white dress for concerts.  [Black bottoms with white tops--All black is acceptable.]

     

     

     

    Music Theory and Advanced Music Theory

     

    Music theory class delves into the study of written music.  It is geared toward the advanced music student.  In the first year students learn all aspects of rhythm, melody and harmony in both the written and aural medium.  (Meaning learn to write and identify certain aspects by ear.)  Composing is also part of this course as it helps demonstrate and understanding of the theory.

     

    Advanced theory focuses more on composition and arranging of music as well of study of advanced harmony.