Music course descriptions
Band
All band courses meet the Fine Arts requirement of the Core 40 Diploma with Academic Honors
*INTERMEDIATE CONCERT BAND 0817
(Freshman Concert Band)
2 Semesters 2 Credits Grade: 9
Prerequisite: Currently enrolled in a band class or by permission of the instructor
Fee: $45
COURSE DESCRIPTION: [IDOE 4168] This developmental course is open to all freshmen students who play a band instrument at an intermediate level. Emphasis is placed on tone, technique development and sight reading. Participation in the ISSMA Solo/Ensemble contest is encouraged. Interested students may audition (in January) for the marching band. The band performs several times during the year.
*INTERMEDIATE CONCERT BAND 0819
(Concert Band)
2 Semesters 2 Credits Grade: 10-12
Prerequisite: Currently enrolled in a band class or by permission of the instructor
Fee: $45
COURSE DESCRIPTION: [IDOE 4168] This concert band class is open to all Penn students who play a band instrument at an intermediate proficiency or better. Emphasis is placed on tone, technique development and sight reading. Participation in the ISSMA Solo/Ensemble contest is encouraged. Interested students may audition (in January) for the marching band. The band performs several times during the year.
*ADVANCED CONCERT BAND 0839
(Symphonic Band)
2 Semesters 2 Credits Grade: 10-12
Prerequisite: Audition or permission of the instructor.
Fee: $45
COURSE DESCRIPTION: [IDOE 4170] This advanced concert band class is available by audition to Penn students who play a band instrument at an upper intermediate to advanced level. Emphasis is placed on tone, technique development and sightreading. Advanced performance techniques are emphasized. Participation in the ISSMA Solo/Ensemble contest is encouraged. Serious band literature is selected from a variety of periods in music history. Private lessons are highly encouraged.
*ADVANCED CONCERT BAND 0841
(Symphonic Winds)
2 Semesters 2 Credits Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Audition or permission of the instructor
Fee: $45
This course is weighted on a 4.5 scale.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: [IDOE 4170] This advanced band is considered the top concert band at Penn High School. The band represents Penn High School in public performances and competitions. Advanced performance techniques are emphasized. Serious band literature is selected from a variety of periods of music history. Private lessons are required. All State Band participation is highly encouraged. This ensemble typically performs more concerts than other Penn Concert Bands.
*PERCUSSION STUDIES 0823
2 Semesters 2 Credits Grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of three years in Middle School band as a percussionist or currently enrolled in Percussion Studies
Fee: $45
COURSE DESCRIPTION: [IDOE 4162] The percussion studies class is comprised of students who have completed three years of middle school band as a percussionist or have successfully completed previous years of percussion studies. Students meet as a separate class to learn percussion techniques and reading skills for a wide variety of percussion instruments and literature. All students will perform with one of three concert bands (817, 819 or 839) for all concerts and contests. There will be 4-5 required performances throughout the year.
*ADVANCED PERCUSSION STUDIES 0825
2 Semesters 2 Credits Grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: Audition or by permission of the instructor
Fee: $45
This course is weighted on a 4.5 scale.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: [IDOE 4162] The advanced percussion studies class is comprised of students who have completed three years of middle school band as a percussionist or have successfully completed previous years of percussion studies. Students meet as a separate class to learn percussion techniques and reading skills for a wide variety of percussion instruments and advanced literature. All students will perform with one of two concert bands (839 or 841) for all concerts and contests. There will be several required performances throughout the year. Private lessons are required.
*INTERMEDIATE JAZZ ENSEMBLE 0827
2 Semesters 2 Credits Grades: 9-12
Prerequisites: Must be enrolled in Symphonic or Concert Band and permission of instructor
Fee: $20
COURSE DESCRIPTION: [IDOE 4164] This course is open to students also enrolled in an Intermediate or Advanced Concert Band. Pianists, guitarists, and bassists may audition into the ensemble without participation in a concert band. Emphasis is placed on tone and technique development and sight-reading skills. Jazz theory and improvisation are included in the course of study. The group performs several times each year.
*ADVANCED JAZZ ENSEMBLE 0829
2 Semesters 2 Credits Grades: 10-12
Prerequisites: Must be enrolled in Symphonic or Concert Band and approved by audition
Fee: $20
This course is weighted on a 4.5 scale.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: [IDOE 4164] This course is available by audition to students also enrolled in an Intermediate or Advanced Concert Band. Pianists, guitarists, and bassists may audition into the ensemble without participation in a concert band. Emphasis is placed on tone and technique development and sight-reading skills. Jazz theory and improvisation are included in the course of study. The group performs several times each year. Students with previous instrumental study may enroll.
*INSTRUMENTAL CHAMBER MUSIC 0849
2 Semesters 2 Credits Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Must be also enrolled in an appropriate band or orchestra class
Fee: $20.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: [IDOE 4162] This course is designed to offer advanced instrumental performers an opportunity to study and perform chamber music literature. String Quartet, wind/string combinations, and other chamber literature will be studied, arranged, rehearsed, and performed. These groups could perform many times per year at various places in the community.
*Attendance at concert performances is required.
Orchestra
All orchestra courses meet the Fine Arts requirement of the Core 40 Diploma with Academic Honors
*STRING ORCHESTRA 0831
2 Semesters 2 Credits Grades: 9-11
Prerequisite: Must be currently enrolled in an orchestra class or by permission of the instructor
Fee: $45.00 (includes a 12-month subscription to SmartMusic software)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: [IDOE 4172] String Orchestra is for Penn students who play a string instrument at an intermediate level. Emphasis is placed on tone, technique development and sight-reading. Participation in ISSMA Solo/Ensemble contest is highly encouraged. This orchestra performs several times during the year. Music is selected from classical, popular, folk, and new string literature. Private lessons are highly encouraged.
*CONCERT ORCHESTRA 0847
2 Semesters 2 Credits Grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: Audition or by permission of the instructor
Fee: $45 (includes a 12-month subscription to SmartMusic software)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: [IDOE 4172] Concert Orchestra is for Penn students who play a string instrument at an intermediate proficiency or better. Emphasis is placed on tone, technique development and sight-reading. Participation in ISSMA Solo/Ensemble contest is highly encouraged. This orchestra performs several times during the year. Music is selected from classical, popular, folk, and new string literature. Private lessons are highly encouraged.
*SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA 0833
2 Semesters 2 Credits Grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: Audition or by permission of the instructor
Fee: $45 (includes a 12-month subscription to SmartMusic software)
This course is weighted on a 4.5 scale.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: [IDOE 4174] This advanced orchestra class is available by audition to Penn students who play a string instrument at an upper intermediate to advanced level. The Symphonic Orchestra represents Penn High School in public performances and competitions. Emphasis is placed on tone, technique development and sight-reading. Advanced performance techniques are emphasized. Participation in ISSMA Solo/Ensemble contest is encouraged. Serious string and full orchestra literature is selected from a variety of periods in music history. Private lessons are highly encouraged.
INSTRUMENTAL CHAMBER MUSIC 0849
2 Semesters 2 Credits Grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: Must be also enrolled in an appropriate band or orchestra class
Fee: $20
COURSE DESCRIPTION: [IDOE 4162] This course is designed to offer advanced instrumental performers an opportunity to study and perform chamber music literature. String Quartet, wind/string combinations, and other chamber literature will be studied, arranged, rehearsed, and performed. These groups could perform many times per year at various places in the community.
*Attendance at concert performances is required.
Elective Music
All elective music courses meet the Fine Arts requirement of the Core 40 Diploma with Academic Honors.
ELECTRONIC MUSIC I & II 0843/0844 (3038)
2 Semesters 2 Credits Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Piano keyboard experience is helpful, but not necessary.
Fee: $32
COURSE DESCRIPTION: [IDOE 4202] This course will take an in-depth look at the growth of the synthesizer and other electronic instruments that have so greatly changed our contemporary music. Students will study the development of sound reinforcement and electronic music, and gain experience in MIDI, programming, sequencing, and audio recording. Computer technology will be recognized as the fast changing foundation of recording arts.
INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC THEORY 0821
1 Semester 1 Credit Grades: 10-12
Workbook Purchase: $2
COURSE DESCRIPTION: [IDOE 4208] This one semester course is introductory course to our music theory curriculum. It includes the study of the elements in music including aural and visual concepts in notation. This course is designed for the student who may be considering the further study of music after high school or for the student who desires an in-depth knowledge of the structure of music. Computers and software are utilized in the classroom.
MUSIC THEORY AND
COMPOSITION I & II 0815/0816 (3039)
2 Semesters 2 Credits Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Enrollment in an appropriate band, orchestra, or choir class, or have equivalent music instruction.*
*Subject to instructor approval
Fee: $2
Textbook Purchase: TBD Approx. $109.06
COURSE DESCRIPTION: [IDOE 4208] This course is a study of the elements in music including aural and visual concepts in notation. This course is designed for the student who may be considering the further study of music after high school or for the student who desires an in-depth knowledge of the structure of music. Computers and software are utilized in the classroom.
AP MUSIC THEORY I & II 0845/0846 (3040)
2 Semesters 2 Credits Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Music Theory I 7 II (0815/0816) or pass the Final Exam for Music Theory I & II
Fee: $2
Textbook Purchase: TBD Approx. $109.06
AP Fee: TBD by College Board, approx. $85.00
This course is weighted on a 5.0 scale.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: [IDOE 4210] Advanced Placement Music Theory is designed for the able and ambitious high school student who is committed to the close study of music structure and who has the desire and determination to gain college credit or advanced placement in music while still in high school. To qualify to enroll to AP Music Theory, the student must successfully complete Music Theory I (course numbers 815 & 816), or possess a solid background in the skill areas of rhythm and notation reading (bass clef and treble clef) as well as scales and major key signatures. The focus of study is centered on techniques for aural and written analysis of music literature. All students enrolled in the course will take the Advanced Placement Music Theory exam in the spring.