Susan Galentine

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All Music Classes

Four basic strands--perception, creative expression/performance, historical and cultural heritage, and critical evaluation--provide broad, unifying structures for organizing the knowledge and skills students are expected to acquire. In music, students develop their intellect and refine their emotions, understanding the cultural and creative nature of musical artistry and making connections among music, the other arts, technology, and other aspects of social life. Through creative performance, students apply the expressive technical skills of music and critical- thinking skills to evaluate multiple forms of problem solving.

By reflecting on musical periods and styles, students understand music's role in history and are able to participate successfully in a diverse society. Students analyze and evaluate music, developing criteria for making critical judgments and informed choices.

Music Theory

Students will study the basic elements of music theory. Materials will include scales, intervals, chords, keys, clefs, transposition, meter, rhythm, a counting system, solfeggio, sight singing, part singing, melody writing, form, harmony, arranging, composing and conducting. Pianos, guitars, the voice, percussion and the class instrumentation will be used as vehicles for learning. Acoustic pianos will serve as the center for music theory. The guitar unit will emphasize chord changing in meter and note reading. The voice will be the focal point for sight-reading and ear training. The members of the class will serve as the instrumental/choral ensemble.

Applied Music

Students will study and practice to develop musical performance skills through the traditional curriculums of the particular major instrument or voice. Materials used will start at each student's level. The class will consist of private and small ensemble lessons with guided practice.

Choral Music and Vocal Ensemble I-IV

Students will rehearse as an ensemble traditional, historical, and modern pieces of vocal music representative of choral traditions both ancient, modern, and many styles in between.

Students are expected to participate meaningfully in rehearsals including

vocal warm-ups, using Curwen hand signs, sight-reading, rhythm drills, solfege analysis,

learning their individual parts, and helping other students by

serving as vocal role models where possible.

Choir students are also given the opportunity to provide vocal support for the

Academy's annual spring musical.

All choir students are expected to perform in the Winter and Spring concerts

as these concerts count as their semester exams.

Competition opportunities such as UIL Solo & Ensemble, American Bluebonnet Classic, and

Region XI Treble auditions will be open to a select group of students.

Acceptance into these competition opportunities are by audition only.

Region XI Treble auditions occur in October,

UIL Solo & Ensemble early Spring, and the

American Bluebonnet Classic late Spring.

Judging criteria for auditions:

1. Technical knowledge of the music (rhythm, pitch, and intonation).

2. Voice quality (vocal technique and appropriate sound).

3. Overall musicianship (diction, phrasing, style, and dynamics).

Please refer to the classroom calendar for specific dates and times.

Footnote: Some of the descriptions above are taken in part from the Edgewood High School Catalog of Courses and curriculum standards from the Center for Educational Development of Fine Arts (CEDFA www.cedfa.org).