2023-24 Le Mars Community High School Curriculum Guide

P a g e | 38  Instrumental & Vocal APPLIED MUSIC Course Length: 1 Semester Credits: 1 Prerequisite: must be enrolled in band, choir, and/or orchestra; teacher approval Grade Level: 10, 11, 12 Students will increase their musical ability by engaging in daily, focused, efficient practice on their instrument or voice. Students will learn a variety of ways to practice. Focus for the course can include audition preparation, college preparation, jazz or classical, technical study, or anything determined by the instructor and/or student. The student will perform a recital at the end of the semester with at least two solos and one ensemble (chosen and coached by the student). BAND Course Length: 1 Year Credits: 1 per semester Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 A fee will be charged for dry-cleaning uniforms. A fee will be charged for use of school-owned instruments. Band experience is based on involvement in two basic areas: 1. CONCERT BAND - Concert Band is the basis of the band program. Literature of varied composers, styles, types and degree of difficulty are performed. Placement of students within this band is by audition which is used to determine a student's ability and performance level. Students are eligible to participate in solo and ensemble contest. They may also audition for the Northwest Iowa Honor Band and the All-State Music Festival. Pep bands are also formed from this band to perform at home basketball games and other school functions. 2. MARCHING BAND - Marching Band is open to all students playing a band instrument as well as non-band students who have been accepted for auxiliary marching units. This group performs at home football games, parades, festivals and the State Marching Band Contest. MUSIC APPRECIATION – MUS100 Course Length: 1 Semester Credits: 1 LCHS, 3 WITCC Grade Level : 10, 11, 12 A general course designed to make the student more aware of musical form, media, genres, musical periods, and the essential role of music in life and culture. Emphasizes the development of tools for intelligent listening and appreciation. MUSIC THEORY I – MUS115 EAR TRAINING/SIGHT SINGING – MUS125 (Must take both courses in the semester) Course Length: 1 Semester Credits: 1 LCHS, 4 WITCC Grade Level: 10, 11, 12 Music Theory I: The course introduces the basic materials of music, including melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, keys, major and minor scale structures, chord construction, and composition. This class is intended for students with strong interest but limited background in music theory. Ear Training/Sight Singing: This course develops the ability to recognize and notate simple intervals, rhythms, melodies and chord progressions. Sight-singing skills are strengthened using the sol-feggio method. Basic piano keyboard skills are acquired.