Hudson High School

 

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

HIGH SCHOOL BAND
(Full year, 1 credit, Grades 9-12)
Prerequisite: Attendance at Band Camp in August.

The Hudson High Band is open to all brass, woodwind, and percussion students, grades 9-12. During the fall of the year, the emphasis is on the Hudson High “Swing” Marching Band. The remainder of the year focuses on the playing performances of the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and Blue and White Symphonic Bands. As a prerequisite of this course, ALL BAND STUDENTS MUST ATTEND BAND CAMP in August. The Hudson High School “Swing” Marching Band focuses on the development of the marching and playing skills needed in the execution of the varied style of shows presented each week during the football season. During a typical season the marching band will perform at 10 football games, 4 band shows, and a professional football game. Rehearsals are during the school day, one period a day, four days a week. There is also a required Wednesday evening practice. Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is a requirement of the course.

Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and Blue and White Symphonic Bands begin in November immediately after the conclusion of the football activities. The practices will be the same as marching season, but without the Wednesday night rehearsals. In an attempt to meet the various needs of the students, placement into any of these ensembles is determined by a playing audition that is scheduled at the end of marching season. This is not an exclusionary procedure, but one of determining the most appropriate starting place. As skills improve, the student has available to them the challenge system, which enables changes in both seating position and actual ensemble. Activities of these ensembles include the following: 3 Concerts (December, March, May), solo and ensemble contest, and commencement exercise activities. Attendance at all rehearsals performances is a requirement of the course.
HUDSON BAND DANCERS
(10 weeks, ¼ credit, Grades 9-12)
Prerequisite: Audition only.

The Hudson Dancers are a part of the Marching Band family, and perform with the band during the fall season. Girls trying out for a dance position will be given instructions of the required routine prior to the actual tryouts. Final selection will be determined by the professional band staff.

Grades are determined by the directors and the dance advisor. Participation in the band activities, attendance at practices, cooperation with the professional staff, dance advisor and other members of the band, etc. All impact upon the final grade.

Dancers will provide their own blouses and boots (or items not provided by the Music Association). Wednesday evening practices and special practices called by the dance advisor are required also.

ORCHESTRA
(Full year, 1 credit, Grades 9-12)

The high school orchestra as a class accepts all string instruments (violin, viola, cello, double bass, and harp).
The orchestra rehearses daily as a string orchestra to review, maintain and refine pedagogical techniques for bowed string instrument performance. There are 2 string orchestras: Chamber Orchestra (by audition) and Sinfonietta. The string orchestras perform a minimum of 4 formal concerts throughout the school year plus additional performances at festivals, OMEA competitions, elementary school concerts and community events. Literature chosen for the string orchestra comes from the standard orchestral repertoire including selections on the Ohio Music Educators Association Contest List and Prescribed Lists by the American String Teachers Association. Solo & Ensemble contest is strongly encouraged to develop individual skills and small group skills in Chamber Music (small ensembles of 2-8 players). Soloists and Chamber groups may also have additional opportunity to perform as a supplement to the large group experience for performances at school and community events.

Symphonic Orchestra including woodwinds, brass and percussion may be a part of the orchestral experience for some performances at the discretion of the orchestra director. Membership in the Full Orchestra (woodwinds, brass and percussion) is contingent upon enrollment in top concert band and recommendation of the head band director. An audition may also be required. These spots in the orchestra are very limited and are considered an honors position in the orchestra program. The wind and percussion section rehearses outside the school day and requires advanced technical proficiency as well as mature musical thought.

MUSIC THEORY
(Full year, 1 credit, Grades 11, 12)
This course is offered to any junior or senior high school student. Students need not be members of other school music groups to qualify. A minimum of a very simple basic background in music is needed to succeed in this course.

The course emphasizes four-part harmonic writing, scale construction, interval recognition, melodic structure, basic keyboard techniques and sight singing through written assignments and ear training exercises.

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
(1 semester, ½ credit, Grades 9-12)

Music Technology is a hands-on study of music technology as a tool to create, edit and produce recordings, compositions, movie scores and other musical projects using PRO Tools, Sibelius, Avid and iTunes. Basic knowledge of music theory, piano keyboard, MIDI, audio file formats, music reading and notation as well as basic computer use are prerequisites of the course. This course meets the ½-credit computer literacy requirement.







CHORAL MUSIC

CHOIR
(Full year, 1 credit, Grades 9-12)

The Concert Choir (Women’s Chorus, Men’s Chorus and the Chamber Chorale) function during the same period of the school day. This is possible because of flexible scheduling. Music from all major periods of history is sung in performance. Attendance at concert performances is a requirement of the course.

MUSICAL THEATRE
(First semester only, ½ credit, recommended for juniors and seniors)
Prerequisite: by permission of the instructor only.

This course is provided for the student interested in intensive individual study in vocal music or theatre or a combination of both. An effort will be made to establish a repertoire of solo songs and readings, of audition quality, for those preparing for college entrance with an emphasis in music, theatre or both. If a student is not available for scheduled class time, an individual study time may be arranged.



ADVANCED MUSICAL THEATRE
(Second semester only, ½ credit, Grades 11 & 12)

This course is a continuation of Musical Theatre. It is designed for the junior or senior student who would like to work on individual class projects with an emphasis on the spring musical production. Each class member will be responsible for a production committee and chairing that committee. The project is to be coordinated with the dramatics coach and his or her approval.

BACH TO ROCK
(1 semester ½ credit, Grades 11, 12)

This semester course is designed to present junior and senior level students with a musical arts history. Students will be given the opportunity to study the music of each stylistic period and the composers represented in those periods. They will experience also the music of the present and how our society influences this music.

AP MUSIC THEORY
(Full year, 1 credit, Grades 11 & 12)

This class is for students who are proficient on at least one instrument (or voice) and who have some familiarity with basic theory (note reading, key signatures, etc.) Since students come from different music theory backgrounds, the first few weeks will be a review of Basic Theory. The syllabus covers a tremendous amount of material quickly and thoroughly. Students can expect plenty of homework; and they must become comfortable in all keys and all clefs. Other aspects of music covered will be melody, harmony, texture, rhythm, form, musical analysis, elementary composition, dictation and sight-singing. In addition to the main objective of advancing music theory knowledge, the purpose of this class is to prepare for the AP Music Theory Exam in May. The test costs $87 and is a requirement of the course.

The AP test is difficult. It deals extensively with advanced harmony and it contains a significant amount of ear training. On the test, students will be expected to identify complex musical structures by ear. For many, the ear training component may be the most difficult aspect of the course, but one cannot pass the AP test without well-trained ears.

Workbook expense for the class $58.00 (required)
AP Exam: $87.00