Music

This course is designed to give the student an educational, enriching and enjoyable musical experience via the art of vocal and choral music. Through the study of an extremely wide variety of difficult choral music, spanning thousands of years, many cultures and at least eight languages, students are provided opportunities for creative and artistic responsiveness. The Chorale is the premier concert choir of the district and its members are selected via a challenging yearly audition. High levels of commitment, musicianship, sight-reading and vocal ability are required. Opportunities for competition and evaluation as an ensemble and soloist are offered. Through at least four major performances, tours and clinics with professional musicians, students learn about the art of music and the expectations of a professional ensemble. Class voice lessons are an integral part of this course and are scheduled during the school day. Attendance is required at all rehearsal and performances. Concerts and some rehearsals take place outside the school day.
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
Performance
Prerequisite: Audition required

*Course satisfies the Arts graduation requirement  

Concert Band

This course is designed to give every student involved an enriching musical experience while performing standard wind literature and orchestral transcriptions. Therefore, through the art of music, students are provided the opportunity for creative and artistic responsiveness. The Concert Band maintains a performance calendar within the community with at least three concerts each year including the Annual Spring Concert at Kleinhans Music Hall. The ensemble also participates in and performs during biannual tours. Students are placed into the ensemble through an audition process. Attendance is required at all rehearsals, sectional rehearsals, and performances. Weekly small group lessons are an integral part of this course. Concerts and some extra rehearsals take place outside of the school day.
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
Performance
Prerequisite: Audition required

*Course satisfies the Arts graduation requirement  

Concert Orchestra

This course provides an opportunity to learn some of the repertoire of string and full orchestra, with an emphasis on developing technique and musicianship. Clarence performances, NYSSMA participation, exchange tours, master classes and quartet experiences are all facets of the program. Orchestra rehearsals occur daily. Weekly small group lessons are also an integral part of this course. Students are selected on the basis of audition.
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
Performance
Prerequisite: Audition required

*Course satisfies the Arts graduation requirement  

Mixed Chorus

This course provides students training in basic choral techniques and musicianship. Emphasis is placed on vocal technique, sight-singing and overall musicianship. Class voice lessons are an integral part of this course and are scheduled during the school day. Four major performances are given each year. Opportunities for competition and evaluation as an ensemble and soloist are offered. No audition is required for this course.
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Full year subject
Performance
1 unit of credit

*Course satisfies the Arts graduation requirement  

Symphonic Band

Students experience challenging wind band literature and orchestral transcriptions of high caliber while continuing to understand and perfect elements of music and musical performance, respectively. In addition, through the art of music, students are provided opportunities for creative and artistic responsiveness. Symphonic Band maintains an active performance calendar within the community, the state, and the nation. Through an audition process, based on ability, students are selected as members of the Symphonic Band. The ensemble gives various concerts throughout the school year including New York State major organization festivals, two Clarence concerts, the annual Spring concert at Kleinhans Music Hall and performs during biannual tours. Attendance is required at all rehearsals, sectional rehearsals, and performances. Concerts and some extra rehearsals take place outside of the school day. Weekly small group lessons are an integral part of this course.
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
Performance
Prerequisite: Audition required

*Course satisfies the Arts graduation requirement  

Symphonic Orchestra

Advanced orchestra provides exposure to challenging repertoire for both string and full orchestra, sometimes including extra performance opportunities. Clarence performances, NYSSMA participation, exchange tours, master classes and quartet experience are all facets of the program. Orchestra consists of daily rehearsals and weekly lessons. Students are selected on the basis of audition.
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
Performance
Prerequisite: Audition required

*Course satisfies the Arts graduation requirement  

Treble Chorus

This course is designed to give the student an educational, enriching and enjoyable musical experience via the art of vocal and treble voice choral music. Through the study of an extremely wide variety of challenging SSA choral music, spanning hundreds of years, many cultures and languages, students are provided opportunities for creative and artistic responsiveness. The Treble Chorus is the only one of its kind in the district and its members are selected via a challenging yearly audition. High levels of commitment, musicianship, sight-reading and vocal ability are required. Special emphasis is put on one-on-a-part singing. Opportunities for competition and evaluation as an ensemble and soloist are offered. Through at least four major performances, tours and clinics with professional musicians, students learn about the art of music and the expectations of a high-level ensemble. Class voice lessons are an integral part of this course and are scheduled during the school day. Attendance is required at all rehearsals and performances. Concerts and some rehearsals take place outside the school day.
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
Performance
Prerequisite: Audition required

*Course satisfies the Arts graduation requirement  

Wind Ensemble

This course is designed to give each student involved an enriching musical experience. Through the art of music, students are provided opportunities for creative and artistic responsiveness. The Wind Ensemble is the premier performing wind band of the district and performs very challenging wind band literature and orchestral transcriptions while continuing to present and perfect elements of music and musical performance. Through an audition process based on ability, students are selected into the Ensemble. The Wind Ensemble maintains a very active performance calendar within the community, the state, and the nation. The ensemble gives three major concerts throughout the year including the annual spring concert at Kleinhans Music Hall, a biannual tour, and occasional performances at major conferences nationwide. Attendance is required at all rehearsals, sectional rehearsals, and performances. Concerts and some extra rehearsals take place outside of the school day. Weekly small group lessons are an integral part of this course.
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
Performance
Prerequisite: Audition required

*Course satisfies the Arts graduation requirement  

Advanced Placement - Music Theory

This course prepares the serious student musician for the Music Theory Placement Exam at the college or conservatory level. There is a heavy emphasis on aural skills, dictation and sight singing. Part writing, harmonic and compositional analysis, music history and composition are all studied. Students will leave the course with an expansive knowledge of music of the Western culture and the techniques and terminology associated with it. Students will take the A.P. Exam in the spring. Following the exam, students will participate in composition projects and computer-generated music.
Grade 12
Full year subject
1 unit of credit
A.P. exam ($99.00)
Performance