The mission of the music program is to provide students with a personalized learning environment that fosters creativity, innovative thinking, communication, problem solving, and commitment to self and others, and to provide students with opportunities to collaborate through meaningful experiences with music.   The elementary music program serves as the foundation for teaching music literacy skills that prepare students to perform in a music ensemble program.  Students in Kindergarten through fifth grade receive general music.  The choral program begins in the fourth grade and the instrumental training begins in the third grade.  North Shore’s music program is represented in local, county, state, and national music festivals each year.

 

 

HS Course Offerings:

 

CONCERT BAND

Credit: 1 

Prerequisites:   Proficiency   on   a   band   instrument   as recommended by the middle school teacher or demonstrated in an audition for the high school band director

Notes: Fulfills the one credit art/music requirement

 

Concert Band is the heart of the band program and consists of students in grades 9 through 12. Rehearsal classes take place daily throughout the school year. Mandatory weekly rotating group lessons take place during the school day to provide support and additional learning. The Concert Band performs at formal concerts throughout the year, in addition to playing at home football games, the annual fall Pep Rally, the Memorial Day Parade, NYSSMA Majors, graduation, and at special programs and events. Band students are required to perform at these events.

 

Regional, national and/or international performance tours are optional when offered.

 

FRESHMAN ORCHESTRA

Credit:  1

Prerequisites: Proficiency on an orchestral string instrument as recommended by the middle school orchestra teacher or demonstrated by audition with the high school orchestra director

Notes: Fulfills the one credit art/music requirement

 

Freshman Orchestra is exclusive for 9th grade students. Daily rehearsals are held during the school day. Mandatory sectional lessons meet on a weekly, rotating schedule to provide support and additional learning. Musicians of the Freshman Orchestra hone their instrumental skills in preparation for the String Orchestra (grades 10-12).

 

The Freshman Orchestra performs programs made up of repertoire from a wide variety of musical styles. In addition to concerts held in the high school theatre, the group performs at special programs such as NYSSMA Majors and the annual High School Moving Up Day.

 

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ORCHESTRA

Credit:  1

Prerequisites: Proficiency on an orchestral string instrument as demonstrated by successful completion of the Freshman Orchestra or by audition with the Orchestra director

Notes: Fulfills the one credit art/music requirement

 

The string Orchestra includes students from grades 10 through

12. String Orchestra rehearsal classes are held daily. Mandatory sectional weekly rotating lessons take place during the school day to provide support and additional learning. Orchestra performs at formal concerts during the year as well as at special programs such as NYSSMA Majors and Moving- Up Day at the end of the year. Regional, national, and/or international tours are optional when offered.

 

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CONCERT CHORALE

Credit:  1

Prerequisites: None

Notes: Fulfills the one credit art/music requirement

 

Concert Chorale is open to all students in Grades 9 through 12. The Concert Chorale is the flagship ensemble of the Choral Department, and involves students working together in an artistic and creative environment. This group performs in concerts and at NYSSMA Majors, regional, national and /or international tours are optional when offered. Mandatory weekly rotating group lessons take place during the school day to provide support and additional learning.

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MUSIC PRODUCTION

Credit:  1

Prerequisites: None

 

In Music Production students will use Multitrack Recording Software, iPads, MIDI keyboards, as well as, live sound equipment like mixing boards, microphones, amps and speakers to complete projects that inspire students’ own creativity while learning about the hardware and software of music composition and sound production.  Students will also learn about today’s jobs in the music technology industry like video game music, film scoring, production and sound engineering.

 

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IB MUSIC SL

YEAR  1 AND 2

Credit: 1 per year

Prerequisites: Enrollment in Band, Orchestra, or Chorus

 

In this course students develop their knowledge and potential as musicians, both personally and collaboratively. Students will learn to hear the relationships of pitch in sound, pattern in rhythm and unfolding sonic structures. Musical perception is required as an area of study and will investigate musical links. Students will choose to exhibit their learning through the creation of music, a solo performance, or group performance. Music that is familiar and unfamiliar from a variety of times, places, and cultures is also part of the course. IB Music requires a variety of internal and external assessments throughout the year. Students will be required to complete a written musical links investigation, as well as create and perform. 

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The IB assessment may earn a student college credit dependent upon their score and the policy of the college or university.