General
The Performing Arts Department (Music / Drama) offers a program for every
student -- performer and consumer. To become more knowledgeable in the
arts, to improve one's technical skills on an instrument, to learn the
literature, and to develop an appreciation for music and the theater is
the intent and design of the program. The intelligent use of leisure time
towards creative ends gives breadth to a student's program of rewarding
experiences not only for the present but also in later life. In keeping
with the arts requirement established by the New York State Department
of Education, it is recommended that all non-performance students consider
the course entitled "Music Appreciation'' which meets the full credit requirement.
Performing arts courses which satisfy the arts/music graduation requirement
are noted with an asterisk (*). Some performance groups will have one rehearsal
per week that begins at 7:30 a.m. for which attendance is mandatory. Students
are responsible for their own transportation to the 7:30 a.m. rehearsals.
NYSSMA/WCSMA
Scarsdale High School participates in the music festivals offered by the
State of New York as well as by Westchester County. Students are auditioned
at two levels and grouped by grades 7 through 9 and 10 through 12. The
appropriate music is selected by level from the NYSSMA Manual. AlI students
auditioning for festival performance groups must be members of a performance
organization at Scarsdale High School at the time of the audition and also
at the time of the performance.
NOTE: UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, ALL COURSES ARE OPEN
TO GRADES 9-12.
MUSIC APPRECIATION
4 periods per week, full year, 1 credit (or) 4 periods per week, half year,
1/2 credit
This course is a related arts, discipline designed as a survey of the
greatest music and composers past and present. It follows the major art
forms of the centuries in terms of stylistic characteristics and historical
review. Music listening experiences are cover Middle Ages through the 20th
Century. This course promotes greater musical enjoyment and understanding.
Because the course follows a chronological approach, it can be scheduled
by either semester or taken for the full year.
JAZZ APPRECIATION
2 periods per week, 1/2 credit
This course is designed for the student who wants to know more about
the joy of jazz, listen to some of the greatest examples of jazz from each
historical period and learn to improve improvisational skills on their
instrument. Students who don't play an instrument or who do not wish to
perform will enjoy listening to their classmates.
APPLIED MUSIC
1/2 credit
Credit will be granted for Applied Music in accordance with the regulations
established by the New York State Department of Education. Students wishing
to enroll in that program must register for the Applied Music course with
their Dean at the time course selections are made. They must also file
registration forms with the Coordinator of Performing Arts in the fall.
The requirements for the Applied Music program must be strictly followed.
The private music teacher is responsible for submitting grades to the Coordinator
of the Performing Arts Department. It is the responsibility of the student
to make all arrangements with the private teacher.
WIND ENSEMBLE
4 periods per week, 1 credit
Students selecting Wind Ensemble will be placed by the instructor at
a level based on ability and instrumentation. This band uses NYSSMA material
at level six and should be considered an upper level course. A variety
of music is used ranging from standard concert literature to transcription
and show tunes. There are at least two concerts for the school and community
during the year. This class will meet from 7:30 -8:05 a.m. one day per
week.
CONCERT BAND
4 periods per week, 1 credit
Any instrumental student may elect Concert Band. Ability level is not
a factor, although a balanced instrumentation is desired. NYSSMA level
four music will be used for this course. There will be at least two concerts
for this band in conjunction with the Wind Ensemble during the year. This
class will meet from 7:30 - 8:05 a.m. one day per week.
VARSITY BAND
1/4 credit
AlI members of the Wind Ensemble and Concert Bands should elect this
band. This band performs for all home games and one away game. During the
football season there will be two rehearsals per week after school and
the warm-up prior to the game on Saturday. Students are asked to consider
membership in this group as their musical contribution to school and community.
Since the group will play more often and for larger audiences than any
other performing group, the number of participants is important. In addition
to the varsity football games (four home and one away), the band will play
for the annual Memorial Day Parade. Members are eligible for varsity letter
awards. Even though this course does not compete for school time, students
should sign up at the same time they select all their courses for the following
year so that accurate plans can be made on the basis of a complete Varsity
Band roster,
ORCHESTRA
4 periods per week, 1 credit
The Orchestra is open to all qualified students. During the year, the
Orchestra performs a variety of symphonic literature from a wide range
of periods and styles and participates in several public. A balanced instrumentation
is required. Brass, Wind and Percussion players are admitted by consent
of the instructor. This class will meet from 7:00 - 8:05 a.m. one day per
week.
CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
1 evening rehearsal per week, 1 credit
The Chamber orchestra is open to all qualified students. This organization
is for advanced players who will study and perform a variety of orchestral
literature from the various periods in music history. Performances will
be in conjunction with the regular orchestra concerts as well as other
occasions. Students must also perform in the full Orchestra, A balanced
instrumentation must be maintained and determined by instructor. This course
must be taken for the full year.
CONCERT CHOIR
4 periods per week, 1 credit
Concert Choir is open to students who wish to sing. The members of
the concert choir learn basic elements of singing technique, ear training,
choral reading, performing in school and community programs, and sing up
diversified range of choral music. This class will meet from 7:30 - 8:05
a.m. one day per week.
VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES
1 or 2 periods per week, 1/4 or 1/2 credit
Vocal and instrumental ensembles of vary- ing types and sizes such
as Show Choir, Madrigals, Trios, Quartets, etc., will be organized in September
of each school year. These ensembles are for all students regardless of
level and ability and are scheduled with the Band, Orchestra, and Chorus
Directors.
JAZZ ENSEMBLE
1 evening rehearsal per week, 1/2 credit
The literature covered will be taken from various Jazz, Pop, and Rock
styles of the 20th century. Jazz stylizing and improvisation will be taught
as well as the reading of Jazz Charts. Membership is based on instrumentation
and balance determined by the instructor.
JAZZ IMPROVISATION
2 periods per week, full year, 1/2 credit (or) 2 periods per week, half
year, 1/4 credit
This course will focus on developing and improving improvisational skills
using standard jazz repertoire. Some prior knowledge of jazz harmony and
chords is suggested. It is strongly recommended that students taking this
course also participate in Ensemble in the evening.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC INSTRUCTION
Instrumental instruction can be taken by all students, to improve their
performance or to learn to play an instrument. Al1 members of the band
and the orchestra are expected to select this course to supplement their
training. This course should not be pre-elected. No credit.
COMPUTER/ELECTRONIC MUSIC
2 periods per week, full year, 1/2 credit
This course will incorporate the computer and synthesizer for creating,
composing, and arranging music. It is open to students with or without
background in music, keyboard, MIDI, or sythesizers. The content will include
the basic musical elements of form, instrumentation, improvisation, and
composition. Emphasis will be on using technology as a means of expression
and creativity.
MUSIC THEORY
2 periods per week, full year, 1/2 credit
This course is open to both the serious musician as well as the student
with little or no background in music. It will present the fundamentals
music: scales, intervals, chords, rhythms, ear-training, music reading
and writing. The content of this course is designed to prepare the student
for the AP examination in Music Theory. Students who seek AP credit should
consult with the teacher.
ACTING I
4 periods per week, full year, 1 credit (or) 4 periods per week, half year,
1/2 credit
Students interested in the performance of drama will focus their attention
on the discovery and development of individual talents in oral and physical
expression as they relate to the interpretation of dramatic literature
in the presentation of theater arts, Attention will be given to the techniques
of the great acting masters who have influenced the popular ''method''
school of acting today. The emphasis will be to aid students in a pragmatic
approach to performance to gain a better understanding and appreciation
of theater. The culminating experience of the first semester is a workshop
production put on by the class for an evening performance.
ACTING II
4 periods per week, full year, 1 credit (or) 4 periods per week, half year,
1/2 credit
This course will be a continuation of Acting 1. As a theater course,
the work will be more in depth including a variety of acting methodologies,
The literature to be studied will be taken from various historical periods
with an emphasis on contemporary theater, Prerequisite - Acting 1.
MUSICAL THEATER
2 periods per week, full year, 1/2 credit (or) 2 periods per week, half
year, 1/4 credit
Musical theater is a uniquely American form of theater with its roots
in the latter part of the last century, opera, opera buffo, operetta, minstrels,
and vaudeville. This course will deal with the evolution of the form and
the characteristics which make it the viable and popular form it has become.
Students will learn skills involved in both acting and singing as required
by this medium. Techniques in this area will be an essential component
of this course. Prerequisite - Acting.
THEATER TECH
2 periods per week, full year, 1/2 credit (or) 2 periods per week, half
year, 1/4 credit
In the technical area of theater arts, two phases of theater are presented.
The first deals with scenery and lighting design and stage mechanics, the
second with construc- tion of scenery and properties and maintenance and
operation of the stage equipment. The class is devoted to lectures and
demonstrations concerning the principles of theater arts. Individual and
group projects help to develop skills in the areas discussed. Students
inter- ested in scenery and costume design are urged to concentrate on
individual projects, while those adept at handling tools are asked to work
on construction of scenery, on lighting, and maintenance and use of stage
equipment. This course meets each Tuesday evening from 7-9 p.m.