North Hunterdon and Voorhees High Schools offer a varied and comprehensive program for all students who have an interest in music. Many of our ensembles have a state-wide reputation for musical excellence, and have won a variety of awards and citations. Your enrollment in the Music Program will offer you an exciting and stimulating high school career.
Courses in music will complete the Fine/Performing Arts requirement needed for graduation.
*Students are required to participate in all performances.
580 HISTORY OF ROCK AND ROLL Gr. 9-12 2.5 cr., 18 wks
Students in this course study rock and roll music beginning with its roots in 1900. Students listen to a variety of musical examples from the earliest popular music forms through the progression of contemporary rock and roll. They research the music, the technology used to make it, the people responsible for creating it, and the political and social motivation for the birth and evolution of rock and roll music.
585 MUSIC THEORY Gr. 9-12 2.5 cr., 18 wks
Get involved in the language of music! Students interested in pop/rock performance as well as serious musicians interested in improving their knowledge of music and their musical skills should take this course. Sight reading, ear training, listening, and analysis will help you to better understand the complex language of music.
588 ELECTRONIC MUSIC I Gr. 9-12 2.5 cr., 18 wks
Learn to create music like the professionals! You will learn to use the software programs and be able to compose your own music. Entrance in this course requires a desire to create music and use technology to do so.
589 ELECTRONIC MUSIC II Gr. 9-12 2.5 cr., 18wks.
Prerequisite: Electronic Music I or permission from instructor.
The focus of this course includes: modern musical applications, such as composition for video and film, digital recording and editing techniques, and score/parts generation. Students will master the above musical applications as well as advanced MIDI editing not covered in Electronic Music I.
593 ELECTRONIC MUSIC III Gr. 10-12 5 cr., 36wks.
Prerequisite: Electronic Music I, II
This course is designed to give students hands on experience in sound recording and audio post production. Students will explore sound theory (acoustics) and human perception of sound (psychoacoustics), along with the tools and technology used in sound recording and manipulation. Practical applications will include recording live instruments and voices in both controlled and uncontrolled environments, as well as audio post production for video. This class parallels Video III.
590 *CONCERT BAND Gr. 10-12 5 cr., 36 wks
Concert Band is a large performing ensemble open to all students who play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Formal concerts are held at various times throughout the year. Band students will learn basic and advanced concepts in musicianship, instrumental techniques, theory, and performance practice. The band performs both traditional and contemporary music.
591 *FRESHMAN BAND Gr. 9 5 cr., 36 wks
Freshman band is a large performing ensemble open to all students who play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Formal concerts are held at various times throughout the year. Freshman band students will learn basic and advanced concepts in musicianship, instrumental techniques, theory, and performance practice. The freshman band performs both traditional and contemporary music.
592 *STRING ENSEMBLE Gr. 9-12 5 cr., 36 wks
A performing ensemble, String Ensemble will provide an opportunity for experienced string players to hone their skills while preparing challenging literature. Not intended for beginners, the course will provide instruction in warm-up materials, scales, sight-reading and ensemble playing. The course is limited to students who perform on violin, viola, cello or upright bass. Students must provide their own instruments. The ensemble will be featured in performances throughout the year.
599 *JAZZ ENSEMBLE Gr. 9-12 2.5 cr., 36 wks
Prerequisite: Audition
Students pursue the jazz idiom by rehearsing and performing in this ensemble. The Jazz Ensemble is open to students who play trumpet, trombone, saxophone, drums, keyboard, guitar and bass.
600 BEGINNING INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS Gr. 9-12 Each 1 cr., 36 wks
Prerequisite: Enrollment in an instrumental ensemble.
Individualized or small group lessons for all instruments. Lessons are scheduled individually at the convenience of both the student and the teacher.
601 ADVANCED INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS Gr. 9-12 Each 1 cr., 36 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 600.
Individualized or small group lessons for all instruments. Lessons are scheduled individually at the convenience of both the student and the teacher.
609 VOICE LESSONS Gr. 9-12 1 cr., 36 wks
Prerequisite: Enrollment in vocal ensemble
Students will learn the physiology of the vocal mechanism and study proper vocal techniques. Additionally, students will sing classical, jazz, and/or popular solo literature.
610 *CONCERT CHOIR Gr. 10-12 5 cr., 36 wks
Concert Choir is a large performance ensemble for students who enjoy singing. Students receive instruction in musicianship, choral skills, and performance skills. Choral music ranging from the classics to the contemporary is explored. At times the choir sings in Latin, German, French, Italian and other languages. The ensemble performs multiple times throughout the year. Freshmen males who are interested in singing should sign up for Concert Band.
611 *FRESHMAN CHOIR Gr. 9 5 cr., 36 wks
Freshman Choir is a large performing ensemble for all female freshmen students who enjoy singing. Students receive instruction in the basic elements of music. Musicianship, choral and performance skills are covered. Students explore vocal music from light classical to modern. An introduction will be given to proper diction in English and other languages.
615 *SHOW CHOIR Gr. 10-12 2.5 cr., 36 wks
Prerequisite: Audition
Show choir is a small singing ensemble for serious music students. The repertoire will include advanced rhythms, music from musicals, and jazz/pop idiom.
616 *MADRIGAL SINGERS Gr. 10-12 2.5 cr., 36 wks
Prerequisite: Audition
A specialized course, Madrigals recreates the music of the European Renaissance and choral chamber music. The singing includes madrigals and motets in many languages. The Madrigals perform frequently.
617 AP MUSIC THEORY (H/Wt.) (AP/Wt.) Gr. 10-12 5 cr., 36 wks
This is a college level course in music theory. Students will learn to read, notate, compose, sight-read, and hear music. Vocal, instrumental, and rock musicians will benefit from this course. This course will train students to increase their knowledge of the language of music, their ability to understand what they hear in music, and their ability to perform music at an increased skill level. Students must receive the recommendation of a music teacher to be placed in A.P. Music Theory.
Upon completion of the course, students will be encouraged to take the AP Music Theory Exam for possible waiver of the first year college music requirement for both music and non-music majors. Please see the explanation of the Advanced Placement program under the General Information section of this Course Selection Guide.
618 BEGINNING GUITAR Gr. 9-12 2.5 cr., 18 wks
Students in this introductory guitar course will learn how chords are structured and how to play the guitar. Tuning, strumming, and finger-picking patterns, note-reading and melodic playing will be addressed. Students must provide their own acoustic guitar.
619 GUITAR II Gr. 9-12 2.5 cr., 18 wks
Prerequisites: Beginning Guitar and/or instructor approval
This course is designed for the more serious guitar student. Students will continue to develop their guitar skills with a more in-depth study of chords, tuning, note reading, finger picking, and solo performance. Students in this course will be given the opportunity to work both on guitar solos as well as working as part of a guitar ensemble. Classical, jazz, and rock music will be performed in addition to original student compositions. Students must provide their own acoustic guitar.
602 PIANO LESSONS Gr. 9-12 1 cr., 36 wks
Individualized lessons for piano. Lessons are scheduled at the convenience of both the teacher and the student. Students will learn basic musicianship skills and proper piano technique. Repertoire will be selected by the teacher from the classic piano repertoire.
