PERFORMING ARTS

To provide all students with the opportunity to experience and understand music by creating, performing and
​responding, thereby, inspiring a life-long involvement in the art of music.

Create.
​​

Students will be guided through the creative process of learning repertoire and encouraged to make choices which will influence the outcome.

Perform.
​​

Students will be provided opportunities to perform for family, friends and the community underlining the importance of music in our culture.   

Respond.
​​

Students will develop techniques for responding to music from a variety of different perspectives and levels of understanding.

2019-2020 course offerings

Concert Band                CPS        1 Credit    Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

This is a full year course open to students in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 possessing intermediate skills on woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. Students in Concert Band study and perform music of an intermediate level with emphasis on developing technical ability, knowledge of phrasing, tone, balance, rhythmic accuracy and interpretation. The Concert Band performs at concerts and other special occasions. These performances are considered culminating experiences without equivalent substitutes. Students accept the performance calendar as a condition of participation and as a part of the course requirement.                                                                 
    

Wind Ensemble                    Honors          1 Credit         Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Audition required
    
This ensemble is designed for woodwind, brass and percussion students with advanced technical abilities who wish to broaden their musical knowledge and improve their performance level. Membership in the Wind Ensemble is based upon auditions and/or by recommendation of the Band Director. The Wind Ensemble studies and performs music on an advanced level with emphasis on developing musical maturity. The ensemble explores and performs a wide range of the wind repertoire, representing a diverse spectrum of musical styles. Special attention is focused upon the music making process as it relates to tone, balance, rhythmic accuracy and interpretation within an ensemble with little or no doubling of parts. The Wind Ensemble presents concerts and performs at other special occasions. These performances are considered culminating experiences without equivalent substitutes. Students accept the performance calendar as a condition of participation and as part of the course requirement.
 
        
Concert Chorus                    CPS        1 Credit    Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
    
Chorus is a unique classroom opportunity for students to express themselves vocally through singing of contemporary as well as traditional songs.  Chorus provides an avenue of performing experience through which students can begin to understand music as an art, a science, a discipline, a mode of expression, and a source of enjoyment. Concert Chorus is a non-auditioned, performance-based course designed to instruct students in intermediate vocal and choral techniques. This class meets during school for the full school year. Concert Chorus is made up of three ensembles that meet separately during the school day, and may perform as individual choirs and/or a combined ensemble. Students will be placed in a Mixed Choir (SATB) or a Treble Choir (SSAA), depending on their voice part and other schedule considerations. All Concert Chorus students will learn sight-singing, vocal techniques, theory, and ensemble singing.  Music will include vocal literature from various eras, and countries to include other languages. Concert Chorus performs at concerts and other special occasions throughout the year. These performances are considered culminating experiences without equivalent substitutes. Students accept the performance calendar as a condition of participation and as a part of the course requirement.         


Vocal Ensemble                                Honors 1 Credit     Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Audition required

Vocal Ensemble is a performance-based course designed to instruct students in advanced vocal and choral techniques. Membership in the Vocal Ensemble is based upon auditions and/or by recommendation of the Chorus Director.  This ensemble is an SATB choir of 25-30 members and meets during the school day for the full school year. Special attention is focused on musicianship and the development of musical independence. Vocal Ensemble will perform often during the school year and sing both a cappella and accompanied music of great variety, from many different eras, genres, and cultures. These performances are considered culminating experiences without equivalent substitutes. Students accept the performance calendar as a condition of participation and as a part of the course requirement.     


Beginning Instruments         CPS         0.5Credit       Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Beginning Instruments is open to all students that want to learn a wind, brass, or percussion instrument.  Students will learn the fundamentals of playing, basic music notation, and care and maintenance of their instrument.  Students will have the opportunity to be transferred to Concert Band at the completion of the course.  Wind, brass, and percussion players may also sign up for Marching Band while learning their instrument.  


Piano Workshop                CPS        0.5 Credit            Grades 10, 11, 12

Piano Workshop is an introductory level class for anyone with or without previous keyboard experience. The goals of this course are to develop fundamental piano performance technique, to increase knowledge of musical terminology, style, and theory, and to strengthen the musical reading and listening skills of each individual. These goals will be met through ensemble and individual exploration of the piano keyboard, musical exercises, and piano literature, as well as through class ear training/music theory. This class encourages individual growth. Students will be graded on participation, collaboration, and periodic in-class performances.

Guitar/Ukulele Workshop            CPS        0.5 Credit    Grades 10, 11, 12

Guitar/Ukulele Workshop is an introductory level class for anyone with or without previous experience. Students will develop basic ukulele technique through group instruction and individual exploration. Students will also have the opportunity to learn basic skills on the guitar and other related instruments such as bass, mandolin, or banjo. This class encourages individual growth. Students will be graded on participation, collaboration, and periodic in-class performances.


Jazz Improv I                    CPS        0.5 Credit            Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Students must be a part of the Nipmuc Music Dept. or students must be able to read music and must be able to play, write and verbally spell major scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats. Students must have proficiency on the instrument they intend to play in class.

This performance-based course is a guide to jazz improvisation.  In this class you will be exposed to jazz through listening, playing, writing and performing. Topics such as scales, chords, constructing melodic lines, and swing rhythm will be related to methods of improvisation. Other course activities will include composition, music theory and simple transcriptions. Students will apply the theory knowledge to their instruments to strengthen improvisational skills and perform two during the semester.


Jazz Improv II                CPS        0.5 Credit            Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Successful completion of Jazz Improv I or students with the equivalent knowledge and experience may request an audition for placement in this class

Jazz Improv II is the next step for students interested in continuing their study of improvisation in the unique musical idiom of jazz. In this class you will be exposed to jazz through listening, playing, writing and performing with a more pronounced emphasis on composition, music theory and transcriptions.


Music Theory I                 CPS        0.5 Credits               Grades 11, 12
    
This course provides the written, listening, and analytical skills needed to understand the organization and structure of music and to use this knowledge in composing music. Students acquire skills in ear training, musical notation, interval recognition, chord structure, harmonic progression and form. Examples are analyzed from music literature to see how music theory functions in music of all styles. It is strongly recommended that students have participated in an ensemble (vocal or instrumental) or other music course prior to taking this course.


Music Theory II                CPS        0.5 Credits        Grades 11, 12

Successful completion of Music Theory I or students with the equivalent knowledge and experience may request an audition for placement in this class

Students enrolled in Music Theory II will expand their knowledge of basic theory and modes of music analysis.  The main emphasis will be on four-part chorale-style writing to learn advanced harmony, modulation and other compositional styles.  Students will also develop aural skills through dictation work and sight singing using solfege syllables and note names.  Students enrolled in Music Theory II will complete a minimum of one compositional project per term, accompanied by a written evaluation of their project.  Students who successfully complete this course will be adequately prepared to enter college as a music major.


Electronic Music Composition and Songwriting              CPS         0.5 Credits            Grades 10, 11, 12

Electronic Music Composition and Songwriting is designed to expose students to music software that allows them to compose, arrange, and produce new material. Students will experiment with songwriting strategies and techniques that will allow them to write original music. Students will also study the art of songwriting by listening to some of the great songwriters of our time and studying lyrics as poetry. Topics will include, but not be limited to: Melody, Harmony, Rhythm; Keyboard; iMac, iPad, Google Docs, DropBox, Wikispaces, GarageBand, Noteflight, Finale, Inside Music, Copyright, Music Theory, Song Form, Rock beats, Chord progressions, Mixing & Mastering, Lyrics/Poetry, and Film Scoring.


Jazz Ensemble                                      0.25 Credits           Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Audition Required - This course will meet after school


This course deals with the performance of jazz music, both current and past, as well as improvisation at a very high level.  This course will meet one day per week after school for 1 hour of sectionals and one night a week for 2 hours as ensemble.  This group will participate numerous community performances and 3 festival performances throughout the year.

Jazz Lab Band                                          0.25 Credits           Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
This course will meet after school


This course deals with the performance of jazz music, both current and past, as well as improvisation.  This course will meet one day per week after school as well as one night per week and will lead to a minimum of two concerts yearly and one festival.
 

A Cappella Singers (After School)                                    0.25 Credits           Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Audition Required - This course will meet after school
 
This course is an auditioned Treble ensemble made up of 16-20 sopranos and altos. The group sings music from a variety of genres and time periods, and performs at Nipmuc and in the Mendon-Upton region throughout the year.  They rehearse one afternoon each week for 2 hours.
 

Jazz Choir                                                0.25 Credits          Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Audition Required - This course will meet after school
 
This course is an auditioned Mixed ensemble made up of 20-25 singers (SATB). The group primarily focuses on the performance of vocal jazz music, but also includes a selection of contemporary a cappella repertoire. They rehearse one afternoon each week for 2 hours and perform at Nipmuc and in the Mendon-Upton region throughout the year.
 

Percussion Ensemble                                0.25 Credits          Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
This course will meet after school
 
The purpose of the Percussion Ensemble is to offer students a well-rounded approach to learning percussion instruments in order to develop general musicianship. Students will have the opportunity to develop their skills in all areas of percussion including mallets, pitched and unpitched percussion, and auxiliary instruments. Students will perform a varied repertoire of Percussion Ensemble literature and may be assigned to perform with the Concert Band and/or Wind Ensemble. It is expected that participants will practice as needed outside of class in order to perform successfully. Prerequisites: musical literacy and director approval.


Drama/Acting and Technical Theater     0.25 Credits    Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
This course meets after school


This course will offer acting techniques, stage movement and creative dramatics. Vocal projection and character development will also be covered in this course. Students will learn stage direction and aspects of technical theater such as stage management, lighting design, set design, construction, and set painting. Also included will be vocal and body warm-ups incorporating sound, movement, and theater games.  The culmination of this course will be the production of a theatrical performance in the fall and a musical in the spring.

 

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