Course Descriptions

BAND

Marching Band / Symphony Band (This is an all-year course.)
9 10 11 12
Any student that has played an instrument for at least one year can participate. There is a mandatory band camp August 1st-5th, 2011 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at Notre Dame Prep. High School. A $65 band fee will apply. In the Marching Band, concentrated instruction is given in the fundamental aspects of music performance while marching in formations. Participation at all scheduled performances is required, i.e. all home football games, marching invitational, Prep Bowl, Open House, Parades, etc. At the end of the marching season this class becomes the Symphony Band and performs on the Christmas Concert. The central focus is directed to the knowledge, preparation and performance of the finest band literature of all styles and periods. Participation at all scheduled performances is required, i.e. Band Festival, Spring Concert, etc. The NDP Bands have performed in many parades such as the Rochester Christmas Parade, the Pontiac Christmas Parade, the Michigan Mackinaw Memorial Day Parade, the Magic Kingdom Parade in Orlando, Florida, and in the 2004 New Years Day Parade in London, England.

Honors Jazz Ensemble (This is an all-year course.)
9 10 11 12
Registration for this class requires approval of the director.
This is a performance class, which requires a high level of sight-reading. We play a great variety of music at many performances out of school. Concentrated instruction is given in the fundamental aspects of interpretation and performance of a variety of styles, theory of chords and scales leading to creative improvisation. Participation at all scheduled performances is required, i.e. school functions, private functions, Christmas parties, fundraisers, Big Band Dinner Dance, etc.
(ONLY OFFERED AFTER SCHOOL AS 9th PERIOD)

Intro to Instrumental Music 1 (Learn how to play and instrument) (May only take 1st semester or both)
9 10 11 12
This course is designed to teach students how to play an instrument. This course is not designed for students that already know how to play. This is not a performance-based course. The idea of this course is to teach students how to play an instrument of their choice. Choices are guitar, keyboard, percussion, woodwind or any brass instrument. Students need to provide their own instruments.

This course focuses on:

How to assemble your instrument

How to care for your instrument

The proper techniques to produce a good sound

How to read music

How to play basic songs

Basic music theory and history

This one-semester course fulfills the .5 art credit required for graduation.

This course cannot be repeated for credit.

Intro to Instrumental Music 2 (Learn to play an instrument) (Semester 2)

9 10 11 12
This is a continuation of Semester 1. This course is designed to teach students how to play an instrument. This is not a performance-based course. The idea of this course is to teach students how to play an instrument of their choice. Choices are guitar, keyboard. percussion, woodwind or brass instrument. Students need to provide their own instruments.
(PREREQUISITE: Intro to Instrumental Music 1)

This course focuses on:

How to assemble your instrument
How to care for your instrument
The proper techniques to produce a good sound

How to read music

How to play basic songs
Basic music theory and history

This one-semester course fulfills the .5 art credit required for graduation.

This course cannot be repeated for credit.

Electronic Music Exploration

9 10 11 12

This course is designed to teach students how to create music using modern electronics, i.e. iPad, iPod, iPhone, computers, synthesizers, wind controllers or any electronic device that makes noise or music. This is a creation-based course. Students will explore how to organize noise to create music. No experience is necessary.

This course focuses on:

Playing different types of electronic instruments

How to interface the instruments

The basics of audio mixers

The basics of recording

The basics of sequencing

The basics of producing

How to distribute the student's music

Percussion Ensemble (Semester 2)
9 10 11 12
This course is designed to teach students how to refine their rudimental basics, i.e. paradiddles, flams, rolls etc. Students will be given instruction on timpani, snare drum, keyboard, bass drum, cymbals and drum set.

This course focuses on:
Playing different types of percussion instruments.
Playing in small and large group ensembles.
Learning how to play world music such as African and Celtic.
This is a performance class. Participation at all scheduled performances is required, i.e. Band Festival, Spring Concert, etc.

Honors Credit

Honors credit is given to any band student who can play from memory the proficiency 1 and 2 requirements of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association. This consists of scales, sight-reading, a prepared solo, and the basic music theory test. Participation at Solo and Ensemble Festival is required. A list of these requirements can be found at www.ndpma.org/bands.

CHOIR

Freshman Chorus (one or two semesters)
9
This course is intended for all incoming freshmen interested in singing at Notre Dame Prep. This class will focus on establishing and strengthening each student's vocal confidence while encouraging them to explore choral artistry. Topics covered will be vocal technique, vocal health, ear training and note reading. This course is the suggested prerequisite for the women's Chorus and Irishmen.
(PERFORMANCE AT ALL CONCERTS IS REQUIRED.)

Women's Chorus (May only take 1st semester or both)
10 11 12
This is a beginning to intermediate level chorus designed to introduce core concepts to new upperclassmen while advancing students with prior experience. The instruction and improvement of voice quality, ear training, ability to read music, ability to sight-sing and the overall development of musicianship is stressed in conjunction with learning of each piece of music. This course is the suggested prerequisite for the Honors Chorus. This course may be repeated for credit.
(PERFORMANCE AR ALL CONCERTS IS REQUIRED)
(SUGGESTED PREREQUISITE: FRESHMAN CHORUS)

Irishmen (May only take 1st semester or both)
10 11 12
This is a beginning to intermediate level chorus for men and women designed to introduce core concepts to new upperclassmen while advancing students with prior experience. The instruction and improvement of voice quality, ear training, ability to read music, ability to sight-sing and the overall development of musicianship is stressed in conjunction with learning of each piece of music. This course is the suggested prerequisite for the Honors Chorus. This course may be repeated for credit.
(PERFORMANCE AT ALL CONCERTS IS REQUIRED)
(SUGGESTED PREREQUISITE: FRESHMAN CHORUS)

Honors Ensemble (Honors Credit)
10 11 12
This is a select mixed ensemble. Membership is by audition only. Students should possess an intermediate to advanced level of expertise in the areas of vocal technique, ear training, and note reading. Selections will range from early masterworks to vocal jazz.
(PERFORMANCE AT ALL CONCERTS IS REQUIRED.)
(SUGGESTED PREREQUISITE: WOMEN'S CHORUS OR IRISHMEN)

Intro to Music Theory
11 12
This is a one-semester course. It is designed to be the prerequisite to the AP music theory class but can be taken by those who simply want to improve their knowledge if the inner workings of music. This course will seek to install mastery of the rudiments and terminology of music, including hearing and notating: pitches, intervals, scales and keys, chords, meter and rhythm. This course will also introduce students to more sophisticated and creative tasks, such as: melodic and harmonic dictation, analysis of repertoire, including melody, harmony, rhythm, texture and form as well as sight-singing.

AP Music Theory
11 12
This is a year long, in-depth study of how music works. The ultimate goal of this course is to develop a student's ability to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. This class will promote the student's development of aural skills, sight-singing skills, written skills, compositional skills, and analytical skills through listening exercises, performance exercises, written exercises, creative exercises, and analytical exercises.

This course will seek first to further the students mastery of the rudiments and terminology of music, including hearing and notating pitches, intervals recognition, scales and keys, triads and seventh chords, meter and rhythm. We will then build on this foundation and move into more sophisticated and creative tasks, such as melodic and harmonic dictation, sight-singing, composition in the style of the common practice period and analysis of repertoire.

PREREQUISITE: Students interested in this course should be able to:
1. Be able to instantly identify the note names of both treble and bass clefs.
2 .Be able to immediately identify all major key signatures.
3. Memorize the order of the key signatures around the circle of fifths.
4. Sing the solfege (do re mi) scale both up and down and very quickly and from memory. You are required to sight
sing on the exam and must use solfege syllables.
5. Quickly identify and play any note on the piano keyboard.
6. Play quickly on the piano a major scale beginning in any pitch.
7. Clap basic rhythms on sight in both compound and simple meters.

OR

(PREREQUISITE: INTRO TO MUSIC THEORY)

IB Music Theory
11 12
The aims of this course are to give students the opportunity to explore and enjoy the diversity of music throughout the world; encourage students to develop perceptual skills through a breadth of musical experiences in which they will learn to recognize, speculate, analyze, identify, discriminate and hypothesize in relation to music; enable students to develop creatively their knowledge, abilities, and understanding through performance and composition; assist students to develop their full potential as musicians both personally and collaboratively in whatever capacity.

Students will be expected to demonstrate the following skills: use of appropriate musical language and terminology to describe and reflect their critical understanding of music; development of perceptual skills in response to music; and knowledge and understanding of music in relation to time and place. In addition, students with a background in performance will be expected to demonstrate development of their music making skills through solo or ensemble performance. Students with a background in composition will be expected to demonstrate development of their compositional skills through exploration and investigation of musical elements.

(PREREQUISITE: INTRO TO MUSIC THEORY)