MUS120
INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC HISTORY
1 CREDIT
This course is good for students who want to meet the requirements
for the Music/Art credit through music, but who do not want to
participate in performance groups. It would also be of great benefit
to those ensemble students who have a strong interest in music,
or even plan to major in music at the collegiate level, and desire
to gain a deeper understanding of music history. It will include
a history of vocal and instrumental music, some very basic music
theory (as it relates to different historical periods), the science
of sound (as it relates to the development of new instruments
and voicings), and careers in music (which coincides with the
study of the evolvement of music as a vocation). Students will
be involved in composing, using basic tool skills in relation
to these activities, and listening to music of many styles and
musical periods. This class basically covers the history of western
music from prehistoric man to modern times. There is a great deal
of listening and discussion regarding the compositions, instrumentation
and composers relative to their period in music history. Students
are required to maintain a notebook and folder for all reading
packets and tests. Marking procedure: Students will be graded
on class work, effort and participation, weekly quizzes, unit
tests, and periodic projects. A NOTEBOOK AND FOLDER ARE
REQUIRED.
MUS220
BEGINNING MUSIC THEORY
1/2 CREDIT
This is a 10 week course designed for those students who intend
to use music as a sequence. Subject material includes: sight singing,
ear training, diction, scales, intervals, rhythm and meter, key
signature, triads, transposing and composition. Marking procedure:
Grades are based on homework, quizzes and tests (aural and written),
and the completion of an original music composition. This
course must be taken in conjunction with Introduction to Musical
Theatre.
MUS240
INTRODUCTION TO MUSICAL THEATRE
1/2 CREDIT
This course is designed for students who want to meet the requirements
for the Arts credit. Introduction to Musical Theatre is a 10 week
course and must be taken in conjunction with Beginning Music Theory.
Subject material includes a history of musical theatre and the
development of various theatrical styles. Students will read scripts,
design sets, create costume designs, and develop an original musical
script. Marking procedures: Grades are based on class work, homework,
unit tests and completion of an individual project and group performance
project. This course must be taken in conjunction with
Beginning Music Theory.
MUS320
CHOIR
1 CREDIT
This elective is a choral group which blends the curricular and
extra-curricular aspects of the Albion Vocal Music Program. Rehearsals
include: vocal technique development, sight reading and sight
singing skills, aural training and ensemble etiquette. Rehearsals
are combined with a rotating lesson schedule to meet state and
local requirements for an academic music program. Group and/or
solo voice lessons require the students to be on time without
being reminded and to bring their music and other needed materials
to each lesson. All choir members are required to participate
in all scheduled concerts and performances throughout the year.
Participation in choir also provides students access to the New
York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) activities including
Spring Solo Festival, Area All-State Music Festivals and Conference
All-State Music Festival. Members of the choir are also eligible
to participate in the Orleans County Music Educators Association
(OCMEA) Solo Festival and All-County Music Festival. A variety
of musical styles including classical, pop and Broadway are performed
each year. Grades are determined by: rehearsal, concert, and voice
lesson attendance, preparation and work ethic, as well as sight
singing evaluations, memorization quizzes, a written midterm examination
and a written final examination.
MUS420
SELECT CHOIR
This is an extra-curricular activity and the advanced choral group
in the high school. Membership into this group is by audition
and director approval. The group meets one night per week for
a two-hour rehearsal. The select choir performs several concerts
per year and at many community events. Attendance is crucial to
the success of this performing group. No more than two absences
per semester are allowed.
MUS520
BAND
1 CREDIT
Traditionally, band encompasses the curricular and extra-curricular
aspects of the Albion Instrumental Program. Scheduled classroom
work is combined with a rotating lesson schedule to meet state
and local requirements for an academic music program. Instrumental
lessons require the student to be on time without being reminded.
Further, the students are to bring their own music, instrument,
lesson book (acquired by purchase through the band director) and
other pertinent items for their lessons. Woodwind students need
to have their instrument in good working condition and should
have a minimum of 3 good working reeds at all times. Brass players
need to have their instrument in excellent working condition including
all slides moving. Their mouthpieces should be cleaned weekly.
Trumpet and trombone students are required to have at least a
straight mute. This may be obtained by ordering through the band
director. Participants are required to participate in
all scheduled concerts and performances throughout the year.
The venue of New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA)
activities is also available through membership in the band. Such
activities include Spring Solo Festival, Area-All State Music
Festivals and the Conference All State Music Festival. Members
of the band program are also eligible to participate in the Orleans
County Music Educators Association All-County Music Festival that
is held each year. Concert dress consists of a white shirt, tie,
and black dress slacks for the gentlemen and a white blouse, floor
length skirt or dressy black slacks for the ladies. Students are
obligated to participate in the marching program. Students new
to the band program must meet with the band director prior to
placement in the band to discuss placement and requirements.
