Music Course Offerings

FUNDAMENTALS OF MUSICIANSHIP - This half year course focuses on music theory concepts. An overview of musical history and performance ranging from Baroque to 20th century popular music is also part of the curriculum. Students will learn the fundamentals of musical notation and be given the opportunity to play music in a wide range of styles. No prior musical skills or knowledge is necessary.

MUSIC THEORY - This half year course focusing on rudimental music theory concepts, ear training, and keyboard skills. Theoretical concepts include: major and minor scales, intervals, triads, seventh chords, and counterpoint. Basic musical analysis as well as composition are also covered.

MUSIC PRODUCTION - Music Production is a semester-length course where students learn how to produce/create their own music through the SOUNDTRAP digital-audio workstation. Students will create their own ringtone, record live instruments, learn basic piano and music theory, and produce over five, large-scale projects. They will learn the history of music production as well as microphone theory. There will be various guest speakers who currently work in the field of Music Production/Business to share their real-world experience with the class.

MUSICAL THEATRE - will study four vocal selections, working in a masters-class format. Students will rehearse duets and full production numbers combining dance as well as studying the history of musical theatre and its relevance in our modern society. Throughout two marking periods, students will study four vocal solos from the classical, golden age, and contemporary periods of musical theatre. Students will rehearse duets and full production numbers combining dance as well as studying the history of musical theatre and its relevance in our modern society. By the end of the semester, students will have multiple 16 and 32-bar cuts, audition practice, a resume, headshot, and healthy/safe vocal technique. There will be a performance after-school at the end of the semester. Students should be able to read sheet music and feel comfortable singing solo in front of their peers before signing up for this class. It is recommended (not required) that this course is taken in conjunction with Concert Choir.    

PIANO LAB - Students will study the pedagogy and practice of piano performance. Students will learn scales, chords, basic music theory, and repertoire. This is a beginner piano class. This course is not recommended for students who currently study piano privately. Students will learn scales, chords, basic music theory, and repertoire. Each day students will play the piano solo, with a peer, or as a class. There will be a combination of daily sight-reading, practicing, and performing in class.

WARRIOR BAND I - The Warrior Band has received much recognition with performances locations ranging from Disney World, to Yankee Stadium to West Point, as well as numerous festivals and competitions. Fundamentals and techniques of instrumental music are learned through the preparation and performance of standard band literature at a variety of public performances. Marching, playing and music appreciation leading to college, semi-professional and amateur performing opportunities are part of the curriculum. Members of the Warrior Band are eligible to join the highly acclaimed MHS Jazz Band. The MHS Jazz Band rehearses and performs a variety of traditional, contemporary, as well as jazz-rock charts throughout the year.

WARRIOR BAND II - This course builds upon and is a continuation of skills and concepts taught in Warrior Band I. The Warrior Band has received much recognition with performances locations ranging from Disney World, to Yankee Stadium to West Point, as well as numerous festivals and competitions. Fundamentals and techniques of instrumental music are learned through the preparation and performance of standard band literature at a variety of public performances. Marching, playing and music appreciation leading to college, semi-professional and amateur performing opportunities are part of the curriculum. Members of the Warrior Band are eligible to join the highly acclaimed MHS Jazz Band. The MHS Jazz Band rehearses and performs a variety of traditional, contemporary, as well as jazz-rock charts throughout the year.                        Prerequisite: Warrior Band I

WARRIOR BAND III - This course builds upon and is a continuation of skills and concepts taught in Warrior Band II. The Warrior Band has received much recognition with performances locations ranging from Disney World, to Yankee Stadium to West Point, as well as numerous festivals and competitions. Fundamentals and techniques of instrumental music are learned through the preparation and performance of standard band literature at a variety of public performances. Marching, playing and music appreciation leading to college, semi-professional and amateur performing opportunities are part of the curriculum. Members of the Warrior Band are eligible to join the highly acclaimed MHS Jazz Band. The MHS Jazz Band rehearses and performs a variety of traditional, contemporary, as well as jazz-rock charts throughout the year.        Prerequisite: Warrior Band II

WARRIOR BAND IV - This course builds upon and is a continuation of skills and concepts taught in Warrior Band III. The Warrior Band has received much recognition with performances locations ranging from Disney World, to Yankee Stadium to West Point, as well as numerous festivals and competitions. Fundamentals and techniques of instrumental music are learned through the preparation and performance of standard band literature at a variety of public performances. Marching, playing and music appreciation leading to college, semi-professional and amateur performing opportunities are part of the curriculum. Members of the Warrior Band are eligible to join the highly acclaimed MHS Jazz Band. The MHS Jazz Band rehearses and performs a variety of traditional, contemporary, as well as jazz-rock charts throughout the year. Prerequisite: Warrior Band III

CONCERT CHOIR I - Students will strengthen their singing voice, collaborate with their peers, and study choral music across all time periods, including today's pop music and musical theatre. By the end of the year, students will understand basic music theory and piano, conducting, harmonizing, performance etiquette, and vocal/breathing technique. There are opportunities for solos and the potential to go on performance trips to Dorney Park, Six Flags, Rowan University, and more! There will be two large concerts a year, both in the Winter and Spring, as well as performances with the sending districts, Warrior Band, and at other Visual and Performing Arts Academy events. Participation in choir is essential for everyone going into a musicrelated career.

CONCERT CHOIR II - This course builds upon and is a continuation of skills and concepts taught in Concert Choir I. Students will strengthen their singing voice, collaborate with their peers, and study choral music across all time periods, including today's pop music and musical theatre. By the end of the year, students will understand basic music theory and piano, conducting, harmonizing, performance etiquette, and vocal/breathing technique. There are opportunities for solos and the potential to go on performance trips to Dorney Park, Six Flags, Rowan University, and more! There will be two large concerts a year, both in the Winter and Spring, as well as performances with the sending districts, Warrior Band, and at other Visual and Performing Arts Academy events. Participation in choir is essential for everyone going into a musicrelated career. Prerequisite: Concert Choir I

CONCERT CHOIR III - This course builds upon and is a continuation of skills and concepts taught in Concert Choir II. Students will strengthen their singing voice, collaborate with their peers, and study choral music across all time periods, including today's pop music and musical theatre. By the end of the year, students will understand basic music theory and piano, conducting, harmonizing, performance etiquette, and vocal/breathing technique. There are opportunities for solos and the potential to go on performance trips to Dorney Park, Six Flags, Rowan University, and more! There will be two large concerts a year, both in the Winter and Spring, as well as performances with the sending districts, Warrior Band, and 46 at other Visual and Performing Arts Academy events. Participation in choir is essential for everyone going into a musicrelated career. Prerequisite: Concert Choir II

CONCERT CHOIR IV - This course builds upon and is a continuation of skills and concepts taught in Concert Choir III. Students will strengthen their singing voice, collaborate with their peers, and study choral music across all time periods, including today's pop music and musical theatre. By the end of the year, students will understand basic music theory and piano, conducting, harmonizing, performance etiquette, and vocal/breathing technique. There are opportunities for solos and the potential to go on performance trips to Dorney Park, Six Flags, Rowan University, and more! There will be two large concerts a year, both in the Winter and Spring, as well as performances with the sending districts, Warrior Band, and at other Visual and Performing Arts Academy events. Participation in choir is essential for everyone going into a musicrelated career. Prerequisite: Concert Choir III

JAZZ IMPROVISATION I - This course is designed to teach the motivated instrumentalist the art of jazz improvisation. The student will master major and minor scales and specific jazz modes. A working knowledge of jazz history is introduced as well as music theory and ear training. Standard jazz tunes are learned and performed by the class in a combo format.

JAZZ IMPROVISATION II - This course builds on the concepts and skills developed in the Jazz Improvisation 1 course. More advanced concepts include solo transcription, melodic dictation, jazz style along with required performance of all modes and seventh chords. Students will be expected to improvise solos on their instruments that are both stylistically and theoretically accurate to the chosen piece and time period. Prerequisite: Jazz Improvisation I

AP MUSIC THEORY - A full year course designed to prepare students to take the AP Music Theory Exam. Instruction will be focused on the fundamentals learned in the Music Theory class as well as more advanced concepts such as chord inversions, harmonic analysis, three- and four-part voice leading, secondary dominants, non-chord tones, and cadences. The development of aural skills is also extensively covered ie: interval identification, melodic dictation, rhythmic dictation and sight singing. Prerequisite: Music Theory