Classes
Orchestra / Guitar
Beginning Strings
Semesters: 1
Credits: 1/2
Grade Placement: 9, 10, 11, or 12
Graduation Requirement: Elective. Applies towards the fine arts graduation requirement.
Course Sequence: Previous instrumental experience is advantageous.
Other Prerequisites: None
Student and Staff Organization:
Traditional. Group instruction is balanced with individual attention and assessment.
Course Overview:
Beginning Strings is designed to prepare students for admission into the String Orchestra. The course will take students from the beginning aspects of string playing, arriving at the courses’ end with a formal understanding of the technical and artistic nuances of performing violin, viola, cello or bass. A variety of teaching styles and texts will be used throughout the course. Private instruction, though not required, is highly recommended. There is a nominal rental charge for the use of school-owned instruments, if available.
String Orchestra
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Grade Placement: 9, 10, 11, or 12
Graduation Requirement: Elective. Meets the fine arts graduation requirement.
Course Sequence: Beginning Strings, Lincoln-Way Strings program or previous private instruction.
Other Prerequisites: None
Student and Staff Organization:
Traditional. Group instruction is balanced with individual attention and assessment.
Course Overview:
This course offers training in the intermediate and advanced skills of performing in a string ensemble. Technically challenging repertoire and solo performance opportunities will be teamed with weekly audio assessment and individual enrichment assignments. Public performances will highlight the course as well as IHSA Contests and Clinics throughout the year. There is a nominal rental charge for the use of school-owned instruments, if available.
Guitar One
Semesters: 1
Credits: 1/2
Grade Placement: 9, 10, 11, or 12
Graduation Requirement: Elective. Applies towards the fine arts graduation requirement.
Course Sequence: None
Other Prerequisites: No previous guitar experience.
Student and Staff Organization:
Conventional. Group and individualized instruction and assessment including both supervised and private practice.
Course Overview:
Guitar One is designed to offer basic, but intensive, training in the playing of the standard six-string acoustic guitar. The student will learn to read music notation, perform basic chord progressions, and play exercises and short pieces alone and in ensembles. Listening to guitar music and discussing the guitar’s role in music of the past and present are also components of the course. Although all types of music will be heard and played, this course is not a “rock and roll” guitar class. Students will discover, however, that the universal musical concepts they learn apply to popular styles as well. This class is not for the student that has studied guitar previously.
Guitar Two
Semesters: 1
Credits: 1/2
Grade Placement: 9, 10, 11, or 12
Graduation Requirement: Elective. Applies towards the fine arts graduation requirement.
Course Sequence: Successful completion of Guitar One with a grade of C or better.
Other Prerequisites: Consent of instructor. Students must own their own nylon string classical guitar, (guitar must be approved by the instructor; guitars may be purchased through the music department).
Student and Staff Organization:
Conventional. Group and individualized instruction and assessment including both supervised and private practice.
Course Overview:
Guitar Two is a continuation of Guitar One. Skills learned in Guitar One will be amplified with intense training in both classical and commercial technique. Instruction will be given through the venues of traditional textbook, ensemble arrangements, solo opportunities, and student compositions. Students will continue learning classical style in both solo and small ensemble work with the goal of performing a grade 2 1/2 - 3 solo at the end of the course. In addition to classical training, commercial/jazz technique and performance will be studied and applied. Music theory and arranging will be an essential aspect of the course with all students composing a small ensemble work during the semester.
Guitar Studio
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1
Grade Placement: 9, 10, 11, or 12
Graduation Requirement: Elective. Meets the fine arts graduation requirement.
Course Sequence: Guitar One or Guitar Two Recommended.
Other Prerequisites: Placement in Audition. Consent of instructor. Students must own their own nylon string classical guitar, (guitar must be approved by the instructor; guitars may be purchased through the music department).
Student and Staff Organization:
Traditional. Group instruction is balanced with individual attention and assessment.
Course Overview:
Students will participate in class ensembles which will study and perform musical literature from the Renaissance to the present day. In addition to all class endeavors, students will study classical, jazz and contemporary guitar styles in solo and small group settings. Advanced technique will be discussed and taught. Students must own their own nylon-stringed classical guitar to participate.
