BEGINNING MEN’S CHORUS
Full Year Grades 9-12 5 credits
This course is open to all men, and is recommended to those who are in their first year singing in a choir at PHS. Those students who take this course will gain note-reading skills, basic theory knowledge as well as beginning vocal technique through the study of various choral works suitable to the ensemble. This is a performance-oriented ensemble and course requirements include class participation and required rehearsals and performances.
BEGINNING WOMEN’S CHORUS
Full Year Grades 9-12 5 credits
This course is open to all women, and is recommended to those who are in their first year singing in a choir at PHS. Those students who take this course will gain note-reading skills, basic theory knowledge as well as beginning vocal technique through the study of various choral works suitable to the ensemble. This is a performance-oriented ensemble and course requirements include class participation and required rehearsals and performances.
ADVANCED WOMEN’S ENSEMBLE
Full Year Grades10-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Acceptance by audition and director approval.
This is an auditioned, intermediate level ensemble designed for women who can demonstrate an intermediate level of responsibility and maturity in rehearsal and performance, and who have at least one year of prior experience singing in a choral ensemble. Students should be capable of singing and have basic skills in reading music. This class will encourage solo and ensemble skills, musicianship skills and rehearsal techniques. This is a performance oriented ensemble and course requirements include: class participation and required performances. Students accepted into this ensemble are eligible to audition for Chamber Choir. Students interested in this class should see the instructor.
CONCERT CHOIR
Full Year Grades 10-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Acceptance by audition and director approval.
This is a selective, auditioned ensemble open to male and female students with an advanced level of maturity, responsibility and commitment in rehearsal and performance. Students will be expected to demonstrate a high level of skill in singing, reading music and rehearsal techniques. Students wishing to take this course must be aware that this group is performance oriented and students are expected to attend a number of mandatory performances each year. Course requirements include class participation and required performances.
BEGINNING GUITAR
Full Year Grades 9-12 5 credits
Student will learn the parts of the guitar, how to tune, and how to read notes and rhythms on the treble clef. They will play melodies, learn about chord progressions and play basic chord progressions through various strumming patterns. Students will perform individually and as an ensemble. They will also write their own songs.
ORCHESTRA
Full Year Grades 9-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Previous musical experience
Orchestra is a performance course that is open to all students grades 9-12 who have participated in a school orchestra program for at least three years. The orchestra performs an average of 5 times per year. Student participation in these performances is mandatory. Enrolled students will continue to develop skills in sight-reading, ear training, and string ensemble study.
CONCERT BAND
Full Year Grade 9 5 credits
Prerequisite: Previous musical experience
Concert Band is open to all students in grades 9who have participated in an instrumental music ensemble at the middle school level. It is a performance course that stresses the fundamental of good musical performance. In this course, ninth grade students will continue to develop foundational music skills that will lead to proficiency in instrumental music. Attendance at performances and rehearsals is mandatory. Mid-semester entry into the course is by audition only.
SYMPHONIC BAND
Full Year Grades 10-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Previous musical experience
Symphonic Band is open to all students in grades 10-12 who have participated in an instrumental music ensemble at the middle and high school level. It is a performance course that stresses the fundamentals of good musical performance. In this course, students will continue to develop foundational music skills that will lead to proficiency in instrumental music. Through the rehearsal and study of challenging repertoire, students will study topics in music theory, music history, and critique. Attendance at performances and rehearsals are mandatory. Mid-semester entry into the course is by audition only.
WIND ENSEMBLE
Full Year Grades 10-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Acceptance is by audition only.
The Wind Ensemble is a select performance-oriented group that requires a successful audition for admission to the course. Auditions for this group are held in late January or early February for the following year and are open to all students in grades 9 through 11 with prior band experience. Wind Ensemble is an advanced course that explores a more difficult repertoire than Concert Band and Symphonic Band. Through the rehearsal and study of challenging repertoire, students will study topics in music theory, music history, and critique. Class work, quizzes, and lessons as well as attendance at performances are essential in determining the band student’s grades.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT MUSIC THEORY
Full Year Grades 10-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Acceptance by Portfolio of Student Work or approval by music teacher.
This course will allow those students who have an aptitude for music theory and appreciation to further learn advance skills that will make them eligible to receive AP credit. Students will develop their recognition of understanding materials and processes through identification of musical scores while developing an understanding of compositional techniques. Skills developed will include notation, composition and knowledge of terminology along with performance, analysis, and oral skills.
CREATING MUSIC WITH TECHNOLOGY
Full Year Grades 9-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Proficiency in reading music is necessary. Some basic musical knowledge and experience is required.
This course is designed for the student who wants to learn to use technology and MIDI keyboards for basic musical composition. Beginning with an understanding of musical elements, you will then be introduced to advanced composing and recording techniques. This could include arranging for live performances, recording and editing live and digital performances, and creating music to accompany video segments.
MUSIC BY DESIGN 1: The path to Creativity
Full Year Grades 9-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Previous or current experience in one of the high school’s performance ensembles—band, choir, or orchestra. Supervisor approval is required in lieu of this prerequisite.
If you like music and want to learn how to write down your ideas and compose your own music, this class is for you! Music by Design 1 offers a blend of music notation, harmony, and melody through the interactive use of our state of the art music MIDI lab. Students will learn the foundations of theory and gain proficiency with a variety of music writing programs. If you are interested in music and want to learn the ins and outs this class is for you. Although this course is a beginning level music theory course, enrolled students are required to have either previous or current experience in one of the high school’s performing music ensembles.
MUSIC BY DESIGN 2: The Journey Continues
Full Year Grades 10-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Music by Design 1: The Path to Creativity
Now that you have a solid musical background, it’s time to breakout and create new works. Music by Design 2 builds on concepts learned in Music by Design 1. The course begins with orchestration (writing for different instruments) and continues to explore the creation of new music through composition. Several music composition projects are assigned to help sharpen your musical skills. Students may have the opportunity to create, edit, and master their final compositions on CD.
SCHOOL OF ROCK
Full Year Grades 9-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Students will have to had played an instrument for two years.
This course will survey the history of rock and roll through study and performance. Each unit will explore the history, musical style and artist of four time periods. Each student will play and perform at least three selections of music from each era on their particular instrument.
- 1950-1970: The beginning or Rock and Roll and the introduction the blues in the Rock and Roll Genre.
- 1960-1970: The development of Hard Rock.
- Present: Investigate of different types of developmental music through this time.
Instrumentation is limited to electric guitar, bass guitar, drum set and/or vocal. The approach is to form 3-5 small group ensembles of 4-5 members allowing all members of the class to participate in the group. Each unit will end with a performance opportunity.
INTRODUCTION TO DANCE
Full Year Grades 9-12 5 credits
This course will serve as an exploration of dance as a form of communication and as an art form. Introduced from a dance history perspective, techniques to be studied are as follows: ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, ethnic and social forms. Emphasis on the achievement of basic dance technical skills and the development of kinesthetic perception, energy qualities, and rhythmic awareness will be explored. At the end of each unit of study, students are expected to perform each genre of dance at an advanced beginner level of proficiency. This course will also examine dance history, choreography, kinesiology and performance art. This course will culminate in a final year-end performance that includes teacher and student choreography.
PLEASE NOTE: This course requires after-school and Saturday rehearsals for preparation for performances throughout the year, specifically the year-end performance final in June.
DANCE 2
Full Year Grades 10-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Introduction to Dance
This course will expand upon knowledge learned in Introduction to Dance from a historical, choreographic and performance perspective. It is designed for the serious student of dance. It will focus on advanced beginner to intermediate technical work, repertory, and the development of performance quality in the following genres of dance: ballet, modern, and jazz. This course will acquaint students with the process of developing a strong performance quality, through the use of vocal, text, and body techniques. Work on auditioning techniques and professional career preparation and/ or college preparation will be addressed. Introduction to Dance is a pre-requisite for this course. Students must also audition by teacher recommendation for Dance 2. Students with prior dance experience may audition for Dance 2 without taking Intro to Dance. (See Ms. Pantaliano for audition dates and requirements.)
As in Introduction to Dance, this course will culminate in a final year-end performance that includes teacher and student choreography.
PLEASE NOTE: This course requires after-school and Saturday rehearsals for preparation for performances throughout the year, specifically the year-end performance final in June.
DANCE 3
Full Year Grades 11-12 5 credits
Prerequisite: Dance 2
This course will expand upon the knowledge learned in Dance 2 from a historical, choreographic, and performance perspective. This course will emphasize the development of advanced-intermediate to advance level of dance technique in ballet, modern, contemporary and jazz. Further development of each student’s technique and the relationship between movement styles and sound environment will be explored. This course will encourage students to increase performance ability through the study of more complex movement patterns and improvisation, as well as develop performance techniques and choreographic craft through the means of performance art.
Course work will include various performances showcasing student choreography throughout the year. As in Introduction to Dance and Dance 2, this course will include a final performance showcasing student choreography at the end of the year.
PLEASE NOTE: This course requires after-school and Saturday rehearsals for preparation for performances throughout the year, specifically the year-end performance final in June.