Performing Arts

Concert Band (Grade 9 - 12)

Membership in this group is open to instrumentalists depending on ability and based on the recommendation of the band director. Music is drawn from intermediate and advanced literature. Students are expected to practice at home to prepare their music for class. Students are required to know the material presented, exercises, scales, etudes, the literature used, composer, form rhythms and keys used. Students will be assessed through daily rehearsal performance, tape submissions, preparation for class, attendance, group performance standards, practice logs, and performances (evening concerts, festivals, etc…). Participation is required at all scheduled events. Private instruction is strongly suggested.

761/762 First year: Concert Band Every other day Full Year 1.00 Credit
763/764 Second year: Concert Band Every other day Full Year 1.00 Credit
765/766 Third year: Concert Band Honors Every other day Full Year 1.00 Credit
767/768 Fourth year: Concert Band Honors Every other day Full Year 1.00 Credit

Concert Choir (Grade 9 - 12)

Concert Choir is an elective-selective course open to all students. This ensemble meets as an entire group at each rehearsal, and will break into harmonic groups as needed. In addition to the performance, vocal skills, techniques, rhythms, tone, pitch and group balance, this course offers emphasis on performing choral music of many periods and styles, both in rehearsal and in public concerts and music festivals. Students will be assessed through daily rehearsal performance, tape submissions, preparation for class, attendance, group performance standards, practice logs, and performances (evening concerts, festivals, etc…). Students are expected to practice at home to prepare their music for class. Participation is required at all scheduled events. Private instruction is strongly suggested.

771/772 First year: Concert Choir Every other day Full Year 1.00 Credit
773/774 Second year: Concert Choir Every other day Full Year 1.00 Credit
775/776 Third year: Concert Choir Honors Every other day Full Year 1.00 Credit
777/778 Fourth year: Concert Choir Honors Every other day Full Year 1.00 Credit

781 Music Appreciation (Grades 9 - 12) **offered in 2023-2024 Full Semester 1.00 Credit

Music Appreciation is a tour through the world of music, from Medieval Chant through Classical, theater, film, and ends with Jazz. Much listening is involved with a strong emphasis on identification of the historical period from which the music originates. The people and events of the time that influenced the composers and their compositions will be studied.

782 Rock and Roll – Blues to The Beatles
(Grades 9, 10, 11, 12) Everyday Full Semester 1.00 Credit

This history of rock and roll course is a continuation of Music Appreciation through the music of the Beatles. The course begins with the history of how Rock music began in the early 1900’s with its Blues roots and moves through Country music, Surf Music, Soul, Doo-Wop, and the many styles of rock through the mid 1960’s. We will discover the music of Elvis, Buddy Holly, Motown, the Beach Boys, the Beatles and many other rock legends.

783 Rock and Roll – The British Invasion to Today
(Grades 9, 10, 11, 12) Everyday Full Semester 1.00 Credit

This history of rock and roll course picks up where “Blues to The Beatles” left off. The course will begin with the exploration of the British Invasion and move to the psychedelic scene of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s with the Doors, the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, and others. As we venture into the harder rock of the 1970’s we will study Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Aerosmith, Queen and others. Before we study the 1980’s we will study Funk, Reggae, and Punk music. Michael Jackson and Madonna will lead us through the pop artists of the 1980’s and into the 1990’s. The course will conclude with a look at the music of today and how rock has developed from its roots.

785 Music Production
(Grades 9, 10, 11, 12) Everyday Full Semester 1.00 Credit

No musical experience is required! The purpose of this course is to make Modern Music Production & Engineering fun by introducing and fostering the study and practice of where the technology and music worlds intersect. Students will learn basic concepts on making beats and music patterns to be used in music production with no prior musical experience needed. Students will be provided hands-on experience with the technology in order to gain a first hand understanding of the cutting-edge innovations that exist in the Music Technology realm. Students will learn how technology can be used to aid in the recording and presentation of acoustic instruments as well as how electronic music can be produced or recorded. This course will explore the fundamentals of creating and organizing music with computers. This is a project-based class in which students will use different software applications to create and arrange music. Students will learn how to manipulate music by creating medley mixes, music re-arranging, and exploring the digital world of music. Digital audio and MIDI will be used and incorporated to create music files. All technology needs will be provided.

788 Music Theory 1 (Grade 9, 10, 11, 12) Everyday Full Semester 1.00 Credit

Music Theory is designed for students with a serious interest in music. Music Theory 1 provides students with an advanced working knowledge of music theory and harmony. Students who select Music Theory should have a working knowledge of music through performance and/or playing of a musical instrument. Students must be proficient in reading music before selecting this course. Music theory is the study of scales, intervals, triads, and seventh chords. Harmonizing of a melodic line or bass line, harmonic analysis, figured bass, and voice leading techniques are explored. Students will be assessed on a portfolio of music writing. Students will use a staff notebook for writing. Ear training is stressed. Students will be asked to sing casually to develop listening skills.

769 Music Theory 2 Honors
(Grade 9, 10, 11, 12) Everyday Full Semester 1.00 Credit

Course Sequence: Completion of Music Theory 1.

Music Theory is designed for students with a serious interest in music. Students who select Music Theory 2 should have a working knowledge of music through performance and/or playing of a musical instrument. Students must be proficient in reading music before selecting this course. Music theory is the study of scales, intervals, triads, and seventh chords. Harmonizing of a melodic line or bass line, harmonic analysis, figured bass, and voice leading techniques are explored. Students will be assessed on a portfolio of music writing. Students will use a staff notebook for writing. Ear training is stressed. Students will be asked to sing casually to develop listening skills. In Music Theory 2 emphasis will be on student creativity through composition. Students will continue to develop their music writing skills by writing and harmonizing original melodies, writing chord progressions, recognizing cadences, etc.

770 AP Music Theory (Independent Study) Everyday Full Semester 1.00 Credit
(Grade 11, 12)

Course Sequence: Completion of Music Theory 1, Music Theory 2, and Independent Study Application.

This course introduces advanced music students to music analysis and composition. Realization of figured bass, and Analysis of repertoire, including study of motivic treatment, examination of rhythmic and melodic interaction between individual voices of a composition, and harmonic analysis of functional tonal passages.
This course will emphasize procedures based in common-practice tonality and functional triadic harmony in traditional four-voice texture (with vocabulary including no harmonic tones and secondary dominants). Chromatic Harmony, techniques of modulation, more distant key relationships, and larger musical forms will be touched upon. A large emphasis will be placed on the development of aural skills. Students should be able to listen to musical works attentively and analytically, developing their “musical memory” and their ability to articulate responses to formal, stylistic, and aesthetic qualities of the works. Performance—using singing, keyboard, and student’s primary performance media—will also be a part of the learning process. Students taking the course must take the AP Music Theory Exam.

Co-Curricular Activities & Ensembles

The Music Program at Oakmont includes five important co-curricular activities that are an extension of the Music curriculum. Students who are serious about developing their musical talents and skills are strongly urged to participate in the following activities:

Oakmont-Overlook Marching Spartans
Jazz Band
Select Choir
Winter Percussion
Winter Guard

Oakmont-Overlook Marching Spartans (Grades 9, 10, 11, 12)

Four sessions per week (Not for Credit Course)

Membership in marching band is open to instrumentalists in all grades by audition, based on the recommendation of the band director. Marching Band performs all year at football games, parades, and competitions throughout the state and region. Participation is required at all scheduled events from July through June. It meets four times per week after school and on weekends during football season. The marching band meets two to three times a month after the competition season. Members are required to attend Band Camp.

____________________________________________________________

Jazz Band (Grades 9, 10, 11, 12)

Two sessions per week-Full year (Not for Credit Course)

Membership is open to instrumentalists by audition, based on the recommendation of the band director. Instrumentation will be limited to trumpet, trombone, saxophone, guitar, acoustic and electric bass, piano, and percussion. Music is drawn from all Jazz literature (blues, funk, soul, free, etc...). Students are expected to engage in substantial independent solo performance, private lessons and daily practicing. Students are expected to practice at home to prepare their music for ensemble rehearsal. Participation is required at all scheduled events (rehearsals, concerts, festivals, etc).

____________________________________________________________

Select Choir (Grade 9, 10, 11, 12)

One rehearsal per week -Full year (Not for Credit Course)

This is the most selective of all choirs. Membership is by audition only to those students enrolled in Concert Choir for at least one semester. Unless approved by Music Director. Select Choir performs the most difficult grade of choral music of the major periods of musical history, as well as popular and show literature both in rehearsal and in public concerts and music festivals. Rehearsals include strong emphasis on vocal skills, tone production and intonation, musical terminology and development of a balanced ensemble sound. Students are expected to practice at home to prepare their music for ensemble rehearsal. Participation is required at all scheduled events (rehearsals, concerts, festivals, etc).

____________________________________________________________

Oakmont-Overlook Marching Spartans - Winter Percussion (Grades 9, 10, 11, 12)

Three sessions per week (Not for Credit Course)

Membership in winter percussion is open to instrumentalists in all grades by audition, based on the recommendation of the band director and percussion staff. Winter percussion performs at competitions throughout the state and region. Participation is required at all scheduled events from December through June. It meets three times per week after school and on weekends.

____________________________________________________________

Oakmont-Overlook Marching Spartans - Winter Guard (Grades 9, 10, 11, 12)

Three sessions per week (Not for Credit Course)

Membership in winter guard is open to students in all grades by audition, based on the recommendation of the band director and guard staff. Winter guard performs at competitions throughout the state and region. Participation is required at all scheduled events from December through June. It meets three times per week after school and on weekends.