MUSIC DEPARTMENT ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS
The following performing ensembles are offered as courses during the school day at Somerset Berkley Regional High School. Some rehearsals and most performances for these ensembles take place outside of the school. Students will receive course credit for every rehearsal period that the class is scheduled for. These organizations include performances at some or all of the following: Musictown Festival Concerts and Events, Vespers Concert, Spring Concerts, and Music Festival Competitions. Music of various styles is studied to enrich the lives of these student musicians through cooperative individual participation. All of these ensembles encourage the intellectual, musical and social development of the individual through the performance of high-quality music in an ensemble setting. Students who wish to participate in the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Southeast District (SEMMEA) and All-State Festivals (MMEA), as well as the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Festivals must be a member in good standing of an appropriate school performing ensemble.
The concert band is open to all woodwind, brass and percussion students, grades 9 – 12, who have had at least 2 years of experience playing their instrument. Special consideration will be given for people with limited experience at the director’s discretion. Private lessons are strongly encouraged, however not mandatory. ***This class is a pre-requisite for all extra-curricular, music department ensembles***
This is an advanced, select ensemble comprised of students in grades 9 – 12, who have had at least 2 years of experience playing a woodwind, brass and/or percussion instrument. All members must audition for this ensemble in the spring with the Director of Bands. Private lessons are strongly encouraged, however not mandatory. Pre-requisite: Students who participate in this ensemble MUST also participate in the Concert Band.
This ensemble is open to all string players in grades 9 – 12, who have had at least 2 years of experience playing the violin, viola, cello or bass. Special consideration will be given for people with limited experience at the director’s discretion. Private lessons are strongly encouraged, however not mandatory. ***This class is a pre-requisite for all extra-curricular, music department ensembles***
This is an advanced, select ensemble comprised of string students in grades 9 – 12, who have had a at least 2 years of experience playing the violin, viola, cello or bass. All members must audition for this ensemble in the spring with the Director of Strings. Pre-requisite: Students who participate in this ensemble MUST also participate in Orchestra.
Membership in this vocal ensemble is elective and is open to all students in grades 9 – 12. ***This class is a pre-requisite for all extra-curricular, music department ensembles***
This is an advanced, select choir comprised of students in grades 9 – 12. All members must audition for this ensemble in the spring with the Director of Choirs. Pre-requisite: Students who participate in this ensemble MUST also participate in the Concert Choir.
These ensembles meet after-school or in the evening. All students who wish to participate in these ensembles must be a member in good standing of an appropriate in-school ensemble and be academically eligible per the guidelines listed in the SBRHS Student Handbook.
The Indoor Winter Percussion rehearses weekly from December through April during after school hours and on weeken The Winter Percussion Ensemble represents Somerset Berkley Regional High School at New England Scholastic Band Association (NESBA) indoor percussion competitions beginning in February and ending in mid-April. All competitions are held on Saturdays and Sundays. Woodwind and Brass instrumentalists from other band ensembles are strongly encouraged to participate and learn a new instrument. Membership is open to all students from grades 8-12. All members of the Winter Percussion Ensemble MUST be a member in good standing of any in-school band, choral or string ensemble.
The Winter Hornline rehearses weekly from December through April during after school hours and on weekends. The Winter Hornline represents Somerset Berkley Regional High School at New England Scholastic Band Association (NESBA) indoor competitions beginning in February and ending in mid-April. All competitions are held on Saturdays and Sundays. All instrumental and choral students from other performance ensembles are strongly encouraged to participate and learn a new skill set. Membership is open to all students from grades 8- All members of the Winter Hornline MUST be a member in good standing of any in-school band, choral or string ensemble.
Show Choir Pit Band rehearses weekly throughout the school year during after-school hours and accompanies “Electrify” and “Amplified”. Membership in the ensemble is selective, and open to all students from grades 9-12 through auditions given in the spring. The Show Choir Pit Band represents Somerset Berkley Regional High School at various festivals and competitions beginning in January and ending in mid-April. All competitions are held on Saturdays and Sundays. Membership is open to all students from grades 9- All members of the Show Choir Pit Band MUST be a member in good standing of any in-school band, choral or string ensemble.
7. “ELECTRIFY” SHOW CHOIR
History of Broadway is a full time and elective, music course where the primary objective is to expose students to the rich history, heritage and evolution of the American Musical Comedy leading to a vast knowledge of New York’s theatrical history from Vaudeville through modern day integrated musicals through the use of audio and visual media. Students will also develop an understanding of the production aspects of the theater world from the points of view of directors, producers and behind-the-scenes technicians. Students will also be required as part of this course to contribute to the Spring Musical Production whether it be during class time or as an extra-curricular participant. No instrumental or choral experience required.
This rigorous class will cover basic music theory concepts. This course is designed to enable students with any level of experience in performing music, instrumentally or vocally, to take their musical skills to a higher level. With music theory, students will learn how the combination of melody, harmony and rhythm develop into music. Ear training will allow them to become better sight-readers and performers. These two skills will allow students the ability to compose and arrange their own music.
Music Theory 2 is a highly demanding elective open only to serious music students in grades 10-12 interested in pursuing a career in music and that have successfully completed Music Theory 1 or has been approved for this course by a member of the high school music staff. This class will continue advanced studies of music theory, improvisation, arranging, composition, and ear training. Successful completion of this course will result in better-developed performance skills, will provide a student skills needed to compose their own music and help the career driven student musician gain acceptance to a highly regarded undergraduate music program. Multi-year enrollment is open at the discretion of the instructor. Students should have successfully completed Music Theory 1 or receive the recommendation of the teacher based on a music theory skills assessment.
The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll is designed to expose students to American popular music in a variety of genres starting with 1950’s rhythm ‘n’ blues, to the inception of rock ‘n’ roll, and through to the contemporary genres of today’s popular music. Participation in this class will lead to an informed understanding of popular music as a relevant and significant art form. The secondary objectives are to further the development of basic knowledge of rock music structure, broaden musical awareness, and to understand how society influences the changing tide of musical styles. This course will explore the role that music plays in our everyday lives and students will be exposed to various media. Please note: Playing an instrument or the ability to read music is NOT necessary for this course.
Music Production and Engineering is designed for the student who is interested in music, but may not play an instrument. Throughout the course, students will explore the newest forms of digital sound recording and manipulation on the computer through a process called sequencing. They will investigate online resources and work with software programs such as Studio One, Garageband, Audacity and ProTools to create music without performing on traditional instruments. Students will create their own songs from the computer using online resources and then export them to digital media. Please note: Playing an instrument or the ability to read music is NOT necessary for this course, but is beneficial.
This class is designed to provide students with the fundamental techniques of singing and performing. Music of all styles will be studied. Students will expand their individual abilities with both solo and class ensemble performances. Students will also develop skills necessary to become an independent musician. The class will be differentiated to meet student needs. No previous singing experience is required but the student must be willing to sing out loud in front of the class in order to progress in the course. This class is a prerequisite for Theater Techniques.
This class is designed to provide advanced students with the opportunity to further their mastery of theater arts. This class will encompass Singing, Acting, Writing, Directing, and Stage Movement. Students will expand their individual abilities with both solo and class performances. Students will also develop skills necessary to become an independent musician director, and actor. Requirements will be adjusted and arranged between the teacher and student. Multi-year enrollment is open to the discretion of the instructor. *** This class has a prerequisite of Vocal Techniques. ***
The purpose of this class is to introduce keyboard skills to beginning students and develop technique in intermediate and advanced level students. The class is recommended for Music Theory, Jazz and Choral students as well as any other interested students. Each student may progress at their own speed, working individually and in groups. Included in this class will be the use of current electronic keyboards and electronic equipment, including sequencers, sound modules, and Macintosh computers with music software. This class requires no previous experience. Multi-year enrollment is open to the discretion of the instructor.
Somerset Berkley Regional High School Music Department 