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Lower Merion School District

Off-Canvas

Music

All students have the opportunity to continue to develop their music skills in an array of music courses designed for students at all levels of talent and ability. All Instrumental and Vocal music courses are major subjects for which students receive a full credit. By individual arrangement, music students at all levels may arrange individual and/or small group practice periods during their frees or study halls. Please see your music teacher and counselor to schedule individually.

Concert Choir H

  • Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisite: It is recommended that interested students obtain the signature of the high school instructor.
  • Course Number: 07010203

This is an advanced course designed for the student who wishes to further develop vocal and music skills and to deepen understanding through the study and performance of choral music of various historical periods and genres. Through class rehearsals and performances, students will acquire technical proficiency in vocal technique; tonal and rhythm skills; elements of basic musicianship; and understanding of how all of these relate to style. Students must attend all dress rehearsals and all public performances of the group. Concert choir students may audition for PMEA District 11. Independent Study is not possible for a group performance class.

  Concert Band H

  • Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisite: It is recommended that interested students obtain the signature of the high school instructor.
  • Course Number: 07020203

This course is a performance course for students who play woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Students will study and perform various genres of band repertoire by many different composers. Daily class rehearsals and culminating performances will allow students to continue the development of technique and ability on their respective instrument; tonal and rhythm skills; elements of basic musicianship; and an understanding of how all of these relate to style. Students are expected to attend all dress rehearsals and all public concert performances, including school functions and community events. The course is open to all students who want to pursue a collaborative high school band experience. Students are evaluated based on the PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association) District 11 Band/Orchestra audition material. Independent Study is not possible for a group performance class.

  Symphony Orchestra H

  • Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisite: It is recommended that interested students obtain the signature of the high school instructor. An audition is required (LMHS only).
  • Course Number: 07030203

In this class, students' study and perform orchestral repertoire of various historical periods and genres. Daily class rehearsals allow students to continue the development of technique and ability on their respective instrument; tonal and rhythm skills; elements of basic musicianship; and an understanding of how all of these relate to style. This course is open to students who want to pursue a collaborative high school orchestra experience. Students are expected to attend all dress rehearsals and all public concert performances and perform for selected school functions and local community events. Students are evaluated based on the PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association) District 11 Band/Orchestra audition material. Independent Study is not possible for a group performance class. Harriton only: this course is for string players only.

  Music and Modern Culture

  • Length/credit: 1 semester - 0.5 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Course Number: 07040100

This one semester course offers students opportunities from musical trends from Ragtime to Rap and their impact on the development of modern American culture. The course will study the main ideas that form the movements and the major musicians who have contributed to our current aesthetics. The course will also look at the influence musicians have had on other musicians. No musical training is necessary for this course.

  Electronic Piano Lab

  • Length/credit: 1 semester - 0.5 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Course Number: 07070200

While this course is designed for beginning students with limited or no musical background, intermediate and advanced pianists may also take this course to further their piano technique and musical approach. Treble and bass clef note reading, chord realization and proper hand positions will be covered and individually monitored. Full-sized electronic keyboards (with headsets) and computer stations are provided for each student.

  Music Technology and Production 1

  • Length/credit: 1 semester - 0.5 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Course Number: 07070100

Music Technology & Production seeks to give students a basic understanding of concepts in music technology. The course covers musical topics such as song form, piano skills, rhythm, melody, chord progressions, and provides ample opportunity for students to compose. From a technological standpoint, the class starts at the basics of functioning in a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and progresses through audio manipulation, quantization, microphone usage and technique, automation, and synthesizers. Students will put themselves in the roles of mixing engineers, film score composers, and recording artists throughout the course of the class in simulated experiences in the music technology field.

  Music Technology & Production 2

  • Length/credit: 1 semester - 0.5 credit
  • Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Course Number: 07070300

Music Technology & Production 2 seeks to expand on topics addressed in the first level of the course sequence as well as introduce new, more advanced subjects in the music technology realm. Musically, students will continue to compose music with the involvement of various analog and digital instruments and use digital signal processing to enhance their musical performances. This course will have students working with advanced programming within the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and learn to manipulate and effectively employ these tools. Students will continue to advance their experiences in the roles of mixing engineers, film score composers, and recording artists throughout the course of the class in simulated experiences in the music technology field.

Music Technology & Production 3 H

  • Length/credit: 1 year – 1.0 credit
  • Grade(s): 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisite: Must have successfully completed Music Technology 1 and 2
  • Course Number: 07070400

Music Technology & Production 3 seeks to expand on prior levels of this course sequence and focus more heavily on the recording process over the course of a full year. Students will, by the end of this class, have the knowledge to execute a high-quality recording session as both a recording engineer and producer. Using a wide range of tools, this course provides students the opportunity to find their own voice as a musician, producer, and artist. Students will continue to advance their experiences in real-world music industry scenarios as session engineers, podcasters, mixers/producers, composers, as well as vocal and instrumental recording technicians.

Music Major H

  • Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
  • Grade(s): 10, 11, 12
  • Prerequisite: It is recommended that interested students have the basic knowledge of elementary music principles through at least one year of high school instrumental or vocal training. Signature of the instructor is required.
  • Course Number: 07050113

This course is designed for the student who wishes to engage in an intensive study of the fundamentals of music. It is especially recommended for students who plan to pursue music, either vocationally or recreationally. The course includes theory, ear-training, sight-singing, composition, analysis, and historical perspective. Access to a keyboard instrument or willingness to schedule personal time on school pianos is required.

AP Music Theory

  • Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
  • Grade(s): 11, 12
  • Prerequisite: Interested students should obtain the signature of  the instructor.
  • Course Number: 07050204

This course offers the serious student an opportunity to study music in a course that is accepted by many colleges for credit. The course content follows the syllabus for the College Board Advanced Placement Program. Students are expected to develop advanced skills in aural theory, sight singing, composition and analysis. These areas are developed through listening, performance, writing, as well as creative and analytical exercises.

IB Music-SL (offered at Harriton High School only)

  • Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
  • Grade(s): 11, 12
  • Course Number: 07060105

The Standard Level IB Music course is designed for those with a strong interest in music.  The students' passion for music is fostered through four main areas of inquiry:  1) Music for sociocultural and political expression, 2) Music for listening and performance, 3) Music for dramatic impact, movement and entertainment, 4) Music technology in the electronic and digital age. Flexibility is given for students to pursue their own musical path while exploring the different elements of what it is to be a researcher, creator, and performer (a well-rounded musician).  Students access their musical experiences from personal, local, and global contexts.  Digital uploads of selected portfolio segments are required as evidence of student coursework, based on International Baccalaureate guidelines. This course is also available to non-IB students.  All students enrolled for the course are required to complete all IB assessments.

IB Music-HL (Part 1) (offered at Harriton High School only)

  • Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
  • Grade(s): 11
  • Course Number: 07060205

This course is the first year of the two-year Higher Level IB Music course.  Designed for those with a strong interest in music, the students' passion for music is fostered through four main areas of inquiry:  1) Music for sociocultural and political expression, 2) Music for listening and performance, 3) Music for dramatic impact, movement and entertainment, 4) Music technology in the electronic and digital age. Flexibility is given for students to pursue their own musical path while exploring the different elements of what it is to be a researcher, creator, and performer (a well-rounded musician).  Students access their musical experiences from personal, local, and global contexts, while gathering and maintaining evidence of their coursework through an electronic portfolio. This course is also available to non-IB students.  All students enrolled for the course are required to complete all IB assessments.

IB Music-HL (Part 2) (offered at Harriton High School only)

  • Length/Credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
  • Grade(s): 12
  • Prerequisite: IB Music HL (Part 1)
  • Course Number: 07060305

This course is the continuation of IB Music-HL (Part 1), fostering a greater awareness and understanding of both the power and variety of musical experiences. The focus of the course continues to tap into the students' passion for music through four main areas of inquiry (see HL Music Part 1).  Existing electronic portfolios continue to be developed, maintained, and refined. The final outcome is a collaborative project, inspired by real life practices in contemporary music-making.  Combining the roles and skills of researcher, creator and performer, students will design, develop, and implement a modern music experience, documented in a 15-minute multimedia summary presentation. Digital uploads of selected portfolio segments as well as The Contemporary Music Maker project are required as evidence of student coursework, based on International Baccalaureate guidelines. This course is also available to non-IB students. All students enrolled for the course are required to complete all IB assessments.