ARTS - MUSIC     

Music courses provide students with a variety of excellent opportunities that are unique to music. Students develop individual skills that increase self-confidence and enhance self-discipline while they experience the joy of performing in a co-operative and collaborative learning environment.

Instrumental music enhances critical and creative thinking skills in several disciplines. Music is a universal language – a highly developed shorthand that uses symbols to represent the elements of music. It is a physical activity that requires complex hand-eye co-ordination and coordination of fingers, hands, and facial muscles. Music rhythms are instantaneous math calculations. A conductor’s score is a scientific chart which indicates frequencies, volume, melody, and harmony. Students in an instrumental music class and band bring this score to life through performance.

Instrumental music students have the opportunity to extend and refine their performance skills in the co-curricular band program. Students in Grade 9 are invited to participate in the Junior Band which performs in the Holiday and Spring Concerts and at the Annual Music Festival at Canada’s Wonderland. Students in Grades 10 through 12 usually participate in the Senior Concert Band which performs in the Holiday and Spring Concerts and in a variety of other venues. Members of both bands have the opportunity to experience a variety of other activities including musicals, festivals, and band trips to places such as New York City.

MUSIC PREREQUISITE FLOW CHART

MUSIC COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

AMU1OK         Music-Instrumental, Grade 9, Open (Experienced)

This course emphasizes the performance of music at a level that strikes a balance between challenge and skill and is aimed at developing technique, sensitivity, and imagination. Students will participate in creative activities that teach them to listen with understanding. They will also learn correct musical terminology and its appropriate use.

This is a fantastic course for students who have previous experience on a band instrument, and want to continue to develop their performance skills.

Prerequisite: None

AMU1OB         Music-Instrumental, Grade 9, Open (Beginner)

This course emphasizes the performance of music at a level that strikes a balance between challenge and skill and is aimed at developing technique, sensitivity, and imagination. Students will participate in creative activities that teach them to listen with understanding. They will also learn correct musical terminology and its appropriate use.

This course is designed for students without previous experience on a band instrument. It is terrific for students who want to experience the excitement of performing in a band setting.

Prerequisite: None

AMT2OK         Music – Musical Theatre, Grade 10, Open

This course emphasizes performance of music at a level that strikes a balance between challenge and skill and is aimed at developing technique, sensitivity, and imagination.  Students will participate in creative activities that teach them to listen with understanding.  They will also learn correct musical terminology and its appropriate use.  This course is linked to the school musical production.  Students will develop the vocal and acting skills necessary for performance in large-scale musical theatre productions

Prerequisite: AMV1OK or permission of the instructor

AMU2OK         Music – Instrumental, Grade 10, Open

This course emphasizes performance of music at an intermediate level that strikes a balance between challenge and skill. Student learning will include participating in creative activities and listening perceptively. Students will also be required to develop a thorough understanding of the language of music, including the elements, terminology, and history.

The major focus of this course is to develop further the performance skills learned in Grade 9, and to enrich students’ lives through music performance.

Prerequisite: AMU1OK or AMU10B

AMV2OK         Music - Vocal, Grade 10, Open

This course emphasizes performance of music at a level that strikes a balance between challenge and skill and is aimed at developing technique, sensitivity, and imagination. Students will participate in creative activities that teach them to listen with understanding. They will also learn correct musical terminology and its appropriate use.

Vocal music will be the focus of this course.

Prerequisite: AMV1OK

AMT3MK          Music – Musical Theatre, Grade 11, University/College Preparation

This course emphasizes the appreciation, analysis, and performance of various kinds of music, including baroque and classical music, popular music, and Canadian and non-Western music. Students will perform technical exercises and appropriate repertoire, complete detailed creative activities, and analyse and evaluate live and recorded performances. They will continue to increase their understanding of the elements of music while developing their technical and imaginative abilities.

This course is linked to the school musical production that takes place in the second semester and to a variety of other performances. Students will develop the vocal and acting skills necessary for performance in large-scale musical theatre productions.

Prerequisite: AMV2OK, ADA2OK, or permission of the instructor

AMU3MK         Music – Instrumental, Grade 11, University/College Preparation      

This course emphasizes the appreciation, analysis, and performance of various kinds of music, including baroque and classical music, popular music, and Canadian and non-Western music. Students will perform technical exercises and appropriate repertoire, complete detailed creative activities, and analyse and evaluate live and recorded performances. They will continue to increase their understanding of the elements of music while developing their technical and imaginative abilities.

The major focus of this course is to develop further the performance skills learned in Grade 10, and to enrich students’ lives through performance in a large ensemble.

Prerequisite: AMU2OK

AMV3MK          Music - Vocal, Grade 11, University/College Preparation

This course emphasizes the appreciation, analysis, and performance of various kinds of music, including baroque and classical music, popular music, and Canadian and non-Western music. Students will perform technical exercises and appropriate repertoire, complete detailed creative activities, and analyse and evaluate live and recorded performances. They will continue to increase their understanding of the elements of music while developing their technical and imaginative abilities.

This course is designed to enhance students’ lives through the enjoyment of vocal music performances.

Prerequisite: AMV2OK

AMT4MK          Music – Musical Theatre, Grade 12, University/College Preparation

This course emphasizes the appreciation, analysis, and performance of music from the romantic period and from the twentieth century, including jazz, popular music, art music, and Canadian and non Western music. Students will concentrate on developing interpretive skills and the ability to work independently. They will also complete complex creative projects in which they make use of new technologies.

This course is linked to the school musical production that takes place in the second semester and to a variety of other performances. Students will build upon the skills acquired in Grade 11.

Prerequisite: AMT3MK or permission of the instructor

AMU4MK         Music – Instrumental, Grade 12, University/College Preparation

This course emphasizes the appreciation, analysis, and performance of music from the romantic period and from the twentieth century, including jazz, popular music, art music, and Canadian and non Western music. Students will concentrate on developing interpretive skills and the ability to work independently. They will also complete complex creative projects in which they make use of new technologies.

The major focus of this course is to develop further the performance skills learned in Grade 11, and to enrich students’ lives through performance in a large ensemble. There are opportunities for students to work independently and in small groups in a variety of activities including learning a new instrument.

Prerequisite: AMU3MK

AMV4MK          Music - Vocal, Grade 12, University/College Preparation

This course emphasizes the appreciation, analysis, and performance of music from the romantic period and from the twentieth century, including jazz, popular music, art music, and Canadian and non Western music. Students will concentrate on developing interpretive skills and the ability to work independently. They will also complete complex creative projects in which they make use of new technologies.

This course is designed to enhance students’ lives through the enjoyment and performance of vocal music.

Prerequisite: AMV3MK