MUSIC THEORY AND PRE-AP MUSIC THEORY
The core of the music program is the study of musical works on how they are constructed and heard. While some fundamentals of music theory are studied as a part of the band, choir, orchestra, piano and guitar curricula, this dedicated course of study is for all music students with a goal of developing musically literate students. Review of rudiments; introduction to harmony and voice-leading involving triads, seventh chords, figured bass, and procedures for four-voice writing; writing activities with diatonic harmony including cadence, analyses of harmony, phrase-structure, texture, elements of figuration in shorter pieces. This goal is a solid background in the fundamentals of music theory in preparation for Advanced Placement (AP) Music Theory, which is offered after the student, demonstrates mastery through proficiency exams of the material in Music Theory I and Pre-AP. Music Theory offers students opportunities to create, perform, listen to, and analyze music from various styles and genres (e.g. rock, pop, jazz and classical). Current technological developments are used in this class to provide "state of the art" learning opportunities.
ADVANCE PLCEMENT (AP) MUSIC THEORY
Is the study of advanced music literacy with a focus on aural and written musical skills. This course covers material typically taught at a college freshman level. For students who plan to continue musical studies on the college level, this course will offer an essential opportunity for in-depth study and preparation. Current technological developments are used in this class to provide "state of the art" learning opportunities. Students enrolled in this course participate in enrichment events sponsored by AP Strategies as part of the AP Arts incentive program.
OPERA WORKSHOP The workshop is a development of skills in preparation of operatic roles, with emphasis on character development and the care and training of the young operatic voice. Instructional units include: the listening analysis of legendary operatic performances; the discussion of standard operatic literature; performance practice throughout the Baroque, Classic, Romantic, and Twentieth Century historic periods; and the preparation of operatic scenes and arias for performance in both master-class and public settings.
PIANO PERFORMANCE
The program is designed to prepare the student for a career as a performer, both as a soloist and a collaborative artist (accompanists and chamber musician), and to prepare the student for college entrance requirements. The curriculum emphasizes study and performance of standard piano literature encompassing the four major periods viz., Baroque, (1600-1750 Classical, (1750-1820) Romantic (1820-1900) and Contemporary (1900-Present). Students desirous of entering Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts as a piano major must audition in accordance with satisfying the requirements as listed below:
FUNCTIONAL PIANO
Piano instruction is designed and offered mainly to the non-piano major. The main thrust is introduction to the keyboard, scales, basic chords and various literature that will challenge yet not overwhelm.
JAZZ COMBO I & II AND MIDI ENEMBLE
Goals are to develop better musicians by performing many different kinds of jazz music from different periods. Foster awareness of the styles of jazz music through rehearsal and performance with an added goal of showcasing students for consideration of college scholarships as well as other performance opportunities. These goals will be accomplished through lectures and rehearsals.
JAZZ IMPROVISATION
Students will become a better musicians and improvisers by learning standard jazz nomenclature as it applies to the performance end of jazz music from all periods. This includes a horizontal (scales), vertical (chords) and patterns as they pertain to performing jazz music. They will become aware of the styles of jazz music through studying the "great" jazz musicians. This includes their solos both on recordings as well as videos in live performances from all periods of jazz history. Develop a good "working" understanding of jazz keyboard harmony both in open two-handed position for accompanying, as well as closed position, left hand and melody (improvisation) in right hand.
BUSINESS OF MUSIC
Students will learn the inner workings of the music business by composing contracts, business cards, web pages, contact lists, letterheads, logos and fliers with the use of computer hardware and software targeted for music business. All work is saved digitally for use after graduation. Students will have the above business documents for use in college and will be able to continue work on these projects as needed for their futures. These goals will be accomplished through lectures as well as printed materials and articles passed out in class. The students will demonstrate his/her understanding of music business by having their work printed and will have these projects displayed in class.
JR. VARSITY ORCHESTRA This ensemble challenges the student with more varied and difficult literature than that provided in the middle schools. Students are given a broader range of music with more demanding technical requirements with the expectations that the student is studying privately and they will also have a Full Orchestra experience offered during the school day. Participation in auditioning for DMEA All-City and TMEA Region Orchestras is required for all string players along with UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest. In addition they will be performing in fall and spring concerts on campus. The music level will be from the UIL Prescribed Music List at concert grade level of 4 and 5 and solo grade level at 1 and 2 or equivalent for local concerts.
VARSITY ORCHESTRA This advanced group continues to challenge the student with an even more varied and difficult literature than the Jr. Varsity Orchestra. The students will have the requirements of participation in auditioning for DMEA All-City and TMEA Region Orchestras along with UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest. In addition they will be performing in fall and spring concerts on campus. The music level will be from the UIL Prescribed Music List at concert grade level of 5 and 0 (unabridged Overture, tone poem, or one movement of a symphony) and solo grade level at 1 or equivalent for local concerts. The ensemble was the 2011 Downbeat Magazines Student Music Awards winner for Best Classical group.
CHAMBER ORCHESTRA An elective of the music cluster that is offered to students with advanced string experience. Its purpose is to study and perform chamber orchestra literature of varying styles from the archives of standard repertoire. Performance activities include performing at the fall and spring concerts, UIL Solo and Ensemble contest and many community functions. The majority of the class is string players but it is open to pianist and wind players.
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA A premier ensemble consisting of a full complement of strings, woodwind, brass and percussion musicians performing a wide range of music from the Common Practice period of music as well as contemporary works. This orchestra is consistently in demand for performances in the Dallas Arts community and in the past three years been the host orchestra for the Music Memory Project which finals competition is held at the Morton Meyerson Symphony Center. The orchestra triumphantly competes in the DISD and UIL Orchestra competition in the AAAAA category. This orchestra was the 2008 Downbeat Magazines Student Music Awards winner for Best Classical group.
WIND ENSEMBLE An all grade inclusive ensemble of Woodwind, Brass and Percussion music students which introduces a wide range of Wind band literature with varying ranges of musical styles and difficulty. The ensembles musicians are required to participate in All-City, All-Region, All State and UIL activities. The group presents a minimum of three performances on campus and community engagements as opportunities arise. This group was the 2007 Downbeat Magazines Student Music Awards winner for Best Classical group. R &B ENSEMBLE An auditioned group of upper classmen that specialize in the presentation of hits from the 1970s Motown classics with additional hits from more recent eras. Mr. Roger Boykin leads this ensemble comprised of vocalist, horns and rhythm section. They have won DownBeat Magazine awards in the R&B genre. This
group brings the house down every time they perform. ROCK ENSEMBLE This group is in its second year of existence and is lead by our guitar instructor Mr. Norman Matthew Pangle. The group focuses on current rock hits and student originals compositions as they mainstay. This is a small auditioned group of mainly upper classmen. POP ENSEMBLE This is also a second year group that focuses on current hits and gives especially the vocal students an avenue to perform. This year the group is lead by Mr. Paul Bain, our technology instructor who is also certified in music education. This is a small auditioned group of mainly upper classmen. Concert Etiquette 1. Do not enter during a performance. If it is impossible to be seated before a
program begins, wait quietly in the lobby or entrance aisles until a number has been completed or until intermission. Turn off cell phones and pagers.
2. Do not leave during a performance. If necessity demands your leaving early, do so between numbers or at an intermission, and do it as inconspicuously as possible.
3. Do not bring food or beverages into the Montgomery Arts Theatre at any time. 4. Do not show disrespect for performers by reading, writing, talking, texting or
placing feet on the chairs in front of you. Students will be
