Music

Music In Our Lives is a full-year elective music course open to all students seeking to fulfill graduation requirements toward a Regents Diploma. Students will develop an awareness and appreciation of music from different historical and cultural traditions by studying a variety of music genres through history; listening to examples and making music using keyboards and drums; and studying music technology. Students will gain an understanding of style, mood and themes in music through music critiques. The Music In Our Lives course content includes listening and performing to different genres of music performed with a variety of media, instruments and voice; composing or arranging music; studying basic music theory, history and contemporary music; and creating an independent music project, a course requirement.

This course is designed to present the beginning high school piano student with group instruction utilizing the electronic piano keyboarding experience. Students will develop skill in learning to play the piano through the application of  classic and popular song material. Beginning concepts, such as basic music theory, chord construction, rhythmic and harmonic knowledge will be applied throughout this course in both the bass and treble clefs. Students will gain confidence in their performance skills through critique and recitals as their skills develop.

This course is designed as a continuance of Piano I. Students will continue learning to play the piano through an electronic piano keyboarding experience through the application of  classic and popular song material. Music selection will be based upon the current skill level of each student. Students will continue to gain confidence in their performance skills through critique and recitals as they progress through the course.

This course is presented to the beginning percussion student. No musical background is required for this course. Students will focus on hand drumming and explore rhythmic motives derived from different cultures rich in percussive music. The concept of poly-rhythms and rhythm stacking through Africa, Latin, and Caribbean music will be examined and practiced through the use of music reading as well as by note memorization. Students will perform on various hand drum instruments of varying styles and cultures. Rhythmic content will progress from the easy to medium level. Topics will include reading skills, technique, and general musicality. Students will perform individually and as a group during class.

This course is designed as a continuation of World Drumming. Students will continue learning to play percussion through learning and playing rhythms on various hand drums from various cultures. Topics will include reading skills, note memorization, technique, and general musicality while playing at intermediate skill levels. Students will perform individually and as a group during class.

This course offers an introduction to the fundamentals of music, including concepts of rhythm, pitch, harmony and melody. Students will study these topics through participation in class activities with a theory text, music recordings, keyboard, discussion and analysis of material, and composition. Class participation is a crucial element for success in this course. Successful completion of this course will help prepare for students who are interested in continuing on in AP Music Theory.

No previous musical experience is required for Beginning Band! This course gives students without any prior musical experience the opportunity to begin learning an instrument in high school, and focuses on individual skills and ensemble techniques. This course is an exciting opportunity for students who have always wanted to learn how to play a traditional band instrument and perform in a concert band style ensemble. Students in Beginning Band will study music throughout history and in various cultural capacities. Students who successfully complete the course can have the opportunity to advance to Stage Band and possibly Symphonic Band.

The Albany High School Stage Band is an exciting opportunity for students to continue learning traditional band instruments in a concert band setting. Stage Band is open for all students who have successfully completed Beginning Band. Students will participate in weekly instrumental music lessons and daily ensemble rehearsals. They will also study music throughout history and in various cultural capacities. This course gives students the musical experience and opportunity to perform in a high school band while focusing on individual skills and ensemble techniques.

Concert/Symphonic Band is open to all students who have demonstrated proficiency in performance standards upon leaving middle school. Students will develop ensemble techniques through the performance of quality band literature and exercises. The group rehearses daily throughout the year and performs in at least two concerts. Performance attendance is a mandatory requirement. Regular small group instrumental lessons are offered during school as part of this course requirement.

Wind ensemble students will demonstrate advanced skills musically and personal/group responsibility. Students will be auditioned for this advanced group. Wind Ensemble meets daily throughout the year and performs in at least two school concerts. School lessons will be provided in small instrumental ensembles during the school day as part of this course requirement.

This course will develop musical creativity in high school instrumental students and is open to all students who have demonstrated proficiency in band performance standards. It will familiarize students with jazz standards, Jazz Fusion and contemporary music direction through perceptive listening and performance on instruments. This ensemble performs frequently in the community.

This course offers students the opportunity to participate in a full string ensemble. The program supports student experimentation with a vast array of musical literature. In addition to daily class instruction, every student is assigned to a weekly technique class. Participation in school concerts is a course requirement.

Advanced Orchestra is an advanced course designed to challenge the most skilled strings students. Through rehearsal and advanced performance of music literature, students will further develop their skills and musical knowledge. Analysis of performances by great orchestras and artists covering major periods of music will be ongoing. In addition to daily class instruction, every student is assigned to weekly technique class. Participation in school concerts is a course requirement.

This course offers an introduction to the fundamentals of choral singing. Students will study, analyze and perform a variety of choral works from various genres and time periods in a rehearsal setting. Students will engage in a variety of vocal activities including warm-ups, sight-singing, solfeggio and rehearsing choral music in several parts. Regular small group voice lessons are offered during school as part of this course requirement. Student participation in rehearsals and concerts is a necessary and vital component to success in this course. This course is appropriate for students who have experience and/or a general interest in singing within a group. Students will gain knowledge in sight-reading.

This course offers further study of choral singing in a more challenging and accelerated rehearsal setting. Students will study, analyze and perform a variety of demanding choral works from various genres and periods, with an increased emphasis on concepts of choral singing, including tone, quality, dictation, phrasing and expression. Students will engage in more advanced warm-ups, sight-singing, solfeggio and rehearsal techniques. Regular small group voice lessons are offered during school as part of this course requirement. Student participation in rehearsals and concerts is a necessary and vital component to success in this course, with an expectation of increased effort and responsibility. Students will participate in a multi-part choir and gain knowledge of solfeggio and sight-reading.

This course offers the opportunity for students to further study and develop in choral singing within an ensemble. Students will study, analyze, and perform a variety of more demanding choral works from various genres and time periods, with an increased emphasis on a capella singing, including tone quality, diction, phrasing and expression. Students will engage in advanced warm-ups, sight singing, solfeggio, multi-part and rehearsal techniques. Student participation in rehearsals and concerts is a necessary and vital component to success in this course, with an expectation of increased effort and responsibility. This course is appropriate for students who have experience singing in a multi-part choir and knowledge of solfeggio and sight-reading. Successful completion of Music Theory is highly recommended.

This hands-on course attends to the technical aspects of studio recording production. Studio Recording Techniques introduces students to the concepts of recording live instruments and vocals in a state of the art digital recording studio with a hands on experience. Students will learn how to build and break down a variety of recording studio sessions and will learn techniques for recording orchestral, big band, rock band, concert band, choral and live studio sessions in this year long course.

This music course is an introduction to digital audio software. Students will explore the full functions of Garage Band and FL Studios using modern technology for recording samples, MIDI sequencing, looping and video music composition. Students will be introduced to writing and production techniques in hop-hop styles. Topics include the social and cultural aspects of hip-hop music as they pertain to the music’s origins and early pioneers, the analysis of stylistic and musical characteristics, and instruction in the use of sequencing software in hop-hop production. Students will be involved in multiple projects and real-life scenarios, and they will learn from industry professional guest speakers.

This course is designed as a continuation of Digital Audio Workstation 1. Students will continue to explore the full functions of Garage Band and FL Studios using modern technology for recording samples, MIDI sequencing, looping and music composition. Students will continue writing and composing music in hip-hop styles. Students will be involved in multiple projects that engage their learning of different social and cultural aspects influencing their own compositions of hip-hop music.

Students will analyze music through score study, part writing, harmonization, melodic and harmonic dictation and sight singing. Students will achieve this through the study 18th-century part-writing rules and 20th-century harmonic analysis. Each student will be required to take the AP Music Theory exam in the spring; exam fees apply. Fee waiver or reduction may be available.

Students engaged in private music lessons (piano, voice, choir, instrumental) outside of the school day are eligible for (½ credit) per each year in high school. Students must apply for the credit through the Fine Arts Department. The application will include signed permission from the student, parent/guardian, outside instructor and the Fine Arts Supervisor. A minimal weekly time is required for lessons and practice with a completed practice log signed off by the outside instructor, and submitted each quarter. An end-of-year evaluation conducted by the instructor is required before any credit can be approved or added to a student transcript at the end of a school year.