Welcome to the High School Music/Theater Arts Curriculum page. To view course descriptions and syllabi please scroll to the class name and click the subject.

HS Music/Theater Arts Courses

Theater Arts 1

The purpose of this course will be to expose students to the varied methods of stagecraft used in theater. Focus will be on acting and directing as well as some other technical skills, such as lighting, set design, costuming, and makeup. Study will focus on Modem American Plays and Playwrights, as well as American musical theater.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – MUS – Theater Arts

Modern Combo

Develop basic skills on a variety of instruments and techniques, which will allow students to play in a rock, pop, country, or praise band combo. Basic instruction will be given on guitar, keyboards, drums, singing, and use of contemporary devices (PC, iPhone, Kindle, etc.) as a music creation and production device. Basic instruction on arranging and performing simple songs will be the day to day work in this course. This course will include hands-on instruction in playing in a small combo. Support skills for a variety of instruments will be at the core of this course. “Round Robin” techniques within stations will frequently be used as a method of learning. Real life skills of personal responsibility, teamwork, and negotiation will be modelled and encouraged.  Class size is limited to 12 students.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – MUS – Modern Combo

Music Appreciation

Music Appreciation is a survey course that allows students to take a deeper look into the broad field of music. This course will cover topics in music literacy, music history, world music, musical theater, popular American music styles, music performance, and music technology. Creating active music listening skills is a central component of this course. No prior music performance experience needed! The main objective of this course is to expose students to the diverse world of music and create lifelong consumers, creators, and appreciators of music.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – MUS – Music Appreciation

Guitar

This course will provide students with instruction in playing and maintaining the guitar. The student will learn note, rhythm reading, melodies, and chord accompaniment. Past musical or guitar training is not required. The class will make extensive use of tablature (“tabs”) notation to teach and read music. Guitars are available for classroom use, but must remain in the building. Class size is limited to 12 students.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – MUS – Guitar

Instrumental Music – Band

Students will participate in music for a concert band experiences. Students will be given the opportunity to study solo, small ensemble, and popular and standard concert band literature. Band members will have the opportunity to attend small group lessons or sectionals where they develop skills, technique and knowledge necessary to play their instruments. Students are required to attend the holiday concert, spring concert, graduation and other performance opportunities as presented.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – MUS – HS Band

Senior High Concert Choir

Concert Choir is a non-auditioned choral ensemble for students interested in learning and singing a diverse repertoire of choral music. Emphasis will be placed on correct singing techniques, and the skills and knowledge necessary to make music a life-long pursuit. Opportunities for solo work and smaller ensembles will also be offered. Students will be required to attend and perform at a minimum of 3 concerts per year, as well as Baccalaureate and Graduation and vocal labs (sectionals) each marking period.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – MUS – Choir

Select Vocal Ensemble

Membership in the group is by audition.   Students should prepare a short piece of section of a piece with duration of about 2 minutes.  The ideal size of the group will be between 16 and 20 students.  The difficulty of the music for this group will be higher than the music used in choir.  The focus will be on unaccompanied singing.  Students will work within the group to help arrange parts for the chosen songs.  The class will make extensive use of a choral music library, as well as recorded and online examples of performances.  The instructor strongly encourages students to become lifelong learners, and provides skills and resources to support this.  The classroom work culminates in a Holiday and a Spring Concert. The Select Vocal Ensemble performs at the Milton Holiday Tree Lighting, and at Baccalaureate and Graduation ceremonies. Other performance opportunities sometimes happen throughout the year.

Course Syllabus – HS Syllabus – MUS – Select Vocal Ensemble