The study of music helps students develop specific skills that will enrich their daily lives and encourage lifelong consumers and appreciators of music. Students have the opportunity to begin or continue their study of music through the following courses: Band, Choir, Orchestra, Guitar, Music Theory, and Music Technology and Business. In each music course, the Illinois State Standards address the following skills: creating, performing, responding, and connecting. Students are offered the opportunity to enroll in performance and non-performance classes.
CHSD 230 Graduation Requirements: 1 credit in any of the following areas: Applied Technology, World Languages, Music, Art, Media, Theater, Business, or Family Consumer Sciences. Check individual course descriptions for credit value.
Information about formal wear, travel, and other fees is shared by each of the schools in our District and/or each school’s Music Booster organization.
AP Music Theory
Prerequisite: Music Theory I or teacher recommendation
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
According to the College Board, “the ultimate goal of an AP Music Theory 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. The achievement of this goal may be best promoted by integrated approaches to the student’s development of aural, sight-singing, written, analytical, and compositional skills.” Building on the foundation developed in Music Theory I, students will move to more sophisticated tasks such as melodic and harmonic dictation, analysis of repertoire, sight-singing, and composition. Students may receive college credit by qualifying on an examination administered by the College Board.
Audition Choirs
Prerequisite: placement audition
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Bel Canto and Chorale placements are based on student auditions. There are four evening choir concerts that occur throughout the school year, two per semester. Concert participation is a course requirement and is mandatory. An important element of auditioned choir involvement is participation in school events and ceremonies, as well as outside performances and festivals. Audition Choirs: Bel Canto and Chorale
Band
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Students who enroll in Band will be assigned to a performing group based on the recommendation of the director. (At Andrew, this course encompasses both the marching band and concert season.) In addition to class work, attendance and participation in all scheduled events for these groups is mandatory. Bands: Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, and Percussion Ensemble.
Beginning Band
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 2
Credit: .5
Description:
Beginning band is a multi-leveled course for novice musicians to elect as a replacement for their study hall course so they can learn to play a woodwind or brass instrument. The course, designed to act as a bridge to a concert band experience, will include instruction on instrument care and maintenance, producing sounds, following rhythms, phrasing musical sentences, and repertoire for performances. Team building activities will also be included. Students do not need to own an instrument; they may rent one from the school. No prior instrumental experience is necessary.
Guitar 1
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Students learn the fundamentals of playing the guitar. Classical techniques provide a foundation for other technique development, which may include jazz and rock. Students are required to provide their own 6-string acoustic guitar and an additional set of strings.
Guitar 2
Grade Level: 10-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Students continue to study guitar techniques. Students are required to provide their own 6-string acoustic guitar and an additional set of strings. Students may have the opportunity to perform at scheduled music performances.
Music Theory 1
Prerequisite: Music reading ability and instructor approval
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
Students will study the basic, rudimentary elements of music. Areas to study include intervals, keys, chord structures, scales, rhythm and meter, and basic part writing.
Music Theory 2
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Music Theory I
Students will build upon rudimentary musical knowledge and expand their study of more complex music elements.
Music, Technology and Business 1
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
Students will learn recording techniques, both live and track by track, recording applications to a computer (effects/signal processing), microphone use, sound reinforcement, application of sound effects and samples, audio editing, and audio editing to video.
Music, Technology, and Business 2
Prerequisite: Music, Technology, and Business I or instructor approval
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5
This course builds on the knowledge of the music business and MIDI recording learning in Music, Technology, and Business I. Students will learn recording techniques, both live and track by track, recording applications to a computer (effects/signal processing), microphone use, sound reinforcement, application of sound effects and samples, audio editing, and audio editing to video.
Non-Audition Choirs
Prerequisite: none
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 0.5 or 1
Choir is open to all students. Students who enroll in Choir will be assigned to Freshman Choir, Cantabile Choir, or Concert Choir based on grade level and experience. Students will take Choir in place of homeroom and will have lunch for half the period. There are four evening choir concerts that occur throughout the school year, two per semester. Concert participation is a course requirement and attendance is mandatory. Non-Audition Choirs: Freshman Chorus, Cantabile Choir, and Concert Choir.
Orchestra
Grade Level: 9-12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Orchestra members receive training in a wide variety of repertoire with an emphasis on string techniques, stylistic interpretation, and performing original orchestrations of standard orchestral literature. In addition to the daily classroom studies, student attendance at after-school rehearsals and performances is required at least four times annually. Students are expected to practice independently on a daily basis, and private lessons are strongly advised. Orchestra runs @ Andrew and Carl Sandburg only.
Orchestras at Sandburg: Concert, Philharmonic & Symphonic
Orchestras at Andrew: Concert