Justice Page Middle School Music Course Descriptions

BAND:

• BEGINNING BAND This class is for students with no previous experience on a band instrument or those who are looking to switch to a new instrument after speaking with their current music teacher. Students will learn and apply the fundamentals of music through performance on a band instrument. Students will choose an instrument with the help of the instructor after trying out the following: flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, and trombone. Students are expected to practice their instrument at home and perform in two evening concerts during the school year.

• VARSITY BAND This class is for intermediate level students with previous playing experience. Students will perform challenging literature as well as apply aspects of successful performance practices in concerts throughout the year.

• WIND ENSEMBLE This class is an accelerated learning opportunity for band students. This group consists of students with more refined skills and playing abilities. Entrance to this group required a passed audition of various playing and skills requirements. Students who would like to audition for this group need to contact zane.kaiser@mpls.k12.mn.us

• JAZZ BAND Jazz Ensemble is an accelerated learning opportunity for current active members in Band and Orchestra. Jazz Ensemble will center around learning the art of performing Jazz Music with emphasis on proper style, improvisation and historical importance of jazz icons and musicians.

CHOIR & WORLD MUSIC:

• VARSITY CHOIR (CHOIR) Get ready to sing! Choir is open to all students who want to explore choral music from a variety of cultures and time periods through study and performance. The core curriculum emphasizes the basics of vocal technique, sight-reading, and music theory in the process of becoming a well-rounded musician. This course accommodates for all ability levels and vocal ranges, using repertoire of unison, two-part, and occasionally three-part music. Students who participate in Choir are expected to perform in two evening concerts during the school year.

• CONCERT CHOIR Get ready to sing even more! Concert Choir is open to all students who have prior experience in a middle-school level vocal ensemble and are ready for a more challenging singing experience. The core curriculum builds upon choir's focus on vocal technique, sight-reading, and music theory in the process of becoming a well-rounded musician. This course predominantly sings three-part repertoire. Students who participate in Concert Choir are expected to perform in two evening concerts during the school year.

• MUSIC EXPLORATION This course is intended for students who would like a wide variety of musical experiences - think of it as the middle school version of your beloved elementary general music class. Units for this class are focused on learning to sing, play, and move to many different of musical styles, identifying and analyzing the sounds we hear, and creating compositions of our own.

ORCHESTRA:

• BEGINNING STRINGS This class is for students with no previous experience on a stringed instrument or those who are looking to switch to a new instrument after speaking with their current music teacher. Students will learn and apply the fundamentals of music through performance on a stringed instrument. Students will choose an instrument with the help of the instructor after trying out the following: violin, viola, cello, and upright bass. Students are expected to practice their instrument at home and perform in two evening concerts during the school year.

• VARSITY STRINGS This class is for intermediate level students with previous playing experience. Students will perform challenging literature as well as apply aspects of successful performance practices in concerts throughout the year.

• ORCHESTRA Orchestra is an accelerated learning opportunity for Orchestra students. This group consists of students with more refined skills and playing abilities. Entrance to this group requires a passed audition of various playing and skills requirements. Students who would like to audition for this group need to contact zane.kaiser@mpls.k12.mn.us.