Freshmen Chorus
9
This course is intended for all incoming freshmen interested in exploring the performing arts 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.
(PERFORMANCE AT ALL CONCERTS IS REQUIRED)
Women’s Chorus
10 11 12
This course is open to female singers with some prior vocal experience. This class will aim to develop core concepts of vocal technique and artistry. 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 the learning of each piece of music. This course is the suggested prerequisite for the Chamber Choir. This course may be repeated for credit.
(PERFORMANCE AT ALL CONCERTS IS REQUIRED)
(PREREQUISITE: FRESHMEN CHORUS – OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR)
Irishmen
10 11 12
This course is open to male singers with some prior vocal experience. This class will aim to develop core concepts of vocal technique and artistry. 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 the learning of each piece of music. This course is the suggested prerequisite for the Chamber Choir. This course may be repeated for credit.
(PERFORMANCE AT ALL CONCERTS IS REQUIRED)
(PREREQUISITE: FRESHMEN CHORUS – OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR)
Chamber Choir (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 experience in the areas of vocal technique, ear training, and note reading. Selections will range from early masterworks to vocal jazz. This course may be repeated for credit.
(PERFORMANCE AT ALL CONCERTS IS REQUIRED)
(PREREQUISITE: WOMEN’S CHORUS, IRISHMEN, FRESHMEN CHORUS)
(AUDITION REQUIRED)
Praise and Worship Ensemble
9 10 11 12
This is a select mixed ensemble open to vocalists as well as rhythm section instrumentalist (piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums) Membership is by audition only. This ensemble will perform at all in-school Masses. We will study various aspects of music ministry including programming for liturgy, the musical and spiritual aspects of cantering, music arranging and instrumentation and the liturgical cycle and calendar. Members of the ensemble will also act as leaders of the Mass choir. This course may be repeated for credit.
(ONLY OFFERED AFTERSCHOOL AS 9th PERIOD)
(AUDITION REQUIRED)
AP Music Theory
11 12
This is a year long, in-depth study of how music works. The ultimate goal of this course is for the student to develop the 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 student’s mastery of 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:
1. be able to identify the note names of both the treble and bass clefs.
2. be able to identify all major key signatures.
3. have a general understanding of notation (staff, clef, note values, rest values, time signatures, meter signatures)
4. have a general understanding and ability to read music on either the piano, or instrument (voice included)
5. be able to sing a major scale both up and down using solfege (do, re, mi) from memory. You are required to sight sing on the exam and the use of the solfege system is very helpful.
6. be able to identify and play any note on the piano keyboard.
7. have a general understanding of the construction of a major scale on the piano.
8. be able to clap basic rhythms on sight in both compound and simple meters.
(The College Board Advanced Placement exam is REQUIRED.)
*AP testing fee required by the Advanced Placement College Board
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 the 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: Students interested in this course should:
1. be able to identify the note names of both the treble and bass clefs.
2. be able to identify all major key signatures.
3. have a general understanding of notation (staff, clef, note values, rest values, time signatures, meter signatures)
4. have a general understanding and ability to read music on either the piano, or instrument (voice included)
5. be able to sing a major scale both up and down using solfege (do, re, mi) from memory. You are required to sight sing on the exam and the use of the solfege system is very helpful.
6. be able to identify and play any note on the piano keyboard.
7. have a general understanding of the construction of a major scale on the piano.
8. be able to clap basic rhythms on sight in both compound and simple meters.
9. Display intermediate to advanced musicality on an instrument or voice.
*IB testing fee charged to non-diploma program students