Course Descriptions: Music
The music program is comprehensive in its offerings, with students participating in five credit bearing ensembles and four non-credit bearing ensembles meeting after school hours (Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Singers and Pep Band). Instruction is also offered in Music Theory and instrumental/ vocal group lessons. The program is highly regarded, maintaining a reputation of excellence throughout the state and has been recognized nationally on several occasions. Many of our performing ensembles travel extensively and have been honored with numerous awards and salutations.
Courses
A'Cappella
1 credit
A’Cappella choir is a major performing ensemble of students. Members of the choir study choral literature representing various periods in music history. Technical aspects of singing such as voice production, posture, breathing, tone quality, enunciation, musical interpretation, and sight reading are stressed. Members are selected from other choral groups on the basis of voice, reading ability, and general musicianship. All members attend weekly group lessons where students work on sight singing, music reading, and general musicianship.
9th Grade Girls' Chorus
1 credit
The 9th Grade Girls’ Chorus provides a training program for the basic elements of choral singing. Good diction, posture and vocal production are stressed together with proper rehearsal techniques. Emphasis is placed on music reading, sight singing, and general musicianship. All members attend weekly group lessons.
Music Appreciation: Dual-Credit MVCC HU 186
1/2 credit
This course develops musical perception, understanding and appreciation. It features direct listening and live performances and demonstrations in a variety of musical styles. Students will become familiar with music styles, major musical compositions of each style or period, musical terms and musical examples outside of Western tradition. This is a dual credit course offered to students to earn 3 college credits through MVCC. No formal music training is required for students to take this course. This course is offered every other year.
Full Orchestra
1 credit
The Whitesboro High School Orchestra is a major performance ensemble of string students and select members of the Symphonic Band. The purpose of the Orchestra is to provide and instill the aesthetic values of music and to help its members master skills in technical performance of their instruments. The Orchestra performs regularly throughout the year and is a frequent participant at school and community functions. All students enrolled attend weekly lessons where various technical exercises, etudes, solos and ensemble literature are studied. Grades 9-12
Symphonic Band
1 credit
The Whitesboro High School Symphonic Band is a major performing ensemble of wind and percussion students. The purpose of Symphonic Band is to provide and instill the aesthetic values of music and to help its members master skills in concert performance. All students enrolled in Symphonic Band attend weekly lessons where various technical exercises, etudes, solos and ensemble literature are studied. The Symphonic Band performs regularly throughout the year.