Music
Course Offerings
Freshman Band Program
(Freshmen who participate in a full-year band class must take the Computer Fundamentals class during the summer before their freshman year.)
Fundamentals of Band
(First semester course; no prerequisite)
This course gives students an opportunity to learn how to play a band instrument in a group experience. It helps students discover if they have any talent in music by providing them with a semester of "hands on" experience with an instrument. Students learn proper playing techniques, how to read music, and basic musicianship skills. Students who want a chance to try out a musical instrument will find this course very exciting and rewarding. Instruments may be rented from the school or local music stores. Students may elect to continue in the Freshman Band during the second semester if they take the Computer Fundamentals class during the summer.
Freshman Band
(Second semester; prerequisite: departmental placement or Fundamentals of Band)
To qualify for the Freshman Band, students must have some experience on their instrument and know how to read music. The band studies and performs popular, jazz and classical music. Musical style and form is learned by analyzing, practicing and performing representative music. Included in the course is the study of basic musicianship and instrumental techniques. The group performs at concerts and other events.
Lab Band
(Full year course; prerequisite: Fundamentals/Freshman band or department approval and placement)
The Lab Band class meets three days a week during the regular school day. This course is intended only for piano, guitar and bass players that plan to continue into upper level bands. This intermediate level ensemble is open to students who have taken Freshman Band or have previous private instruction on their instrument. Primarily a course for Freshmen and Sophomores, this band practices jazz and traditional scales, chord voicing, chord structure, improvisation and performs in popular, jazz and rock styles. The band performs in concerts and school events.
Upper Level Band Program
(Available to Freshmen with advanced placement)
Concert Band meets five days a week during the regular school day. Symphonic Band meets five days a week during the regular school day. Jazz Bands meet during zero hour three days a week. Note: To participate in the Jazz Program a student must be in the Symphonic Band (except piano and guitar players).
Concert Band
(Full year course; prerequisite: department approval and placement)
The Concert Band meets five days a week during the regular school day. Some students wanting to take PE may take the class three days a week. This intermediate level band is open to students who have taken Freshmen Band or have successfully participated in a grade school concert band program. Primarily a course for Freshmen and Sophomores, this band studies and performs popular, jazz, and classical music. Students will continue to develop their performance and analytical skills. The band performs in concerts and school events. Some school instruments are available to students who need to rent an instrument.
Symphonic Band
(Full year course; prerequisite: department approval and placement)
The Symphonic Band meets five days a week during the regular school day. This band is an advanced performance ensemble that studies and performs a wide variety of music, representing all musical styles, while stressing the elements of musical performance and understanding. The Symphonic Band, one of SLUH's top performing groups, is open to all students who have either successfully completed Concert Band or can demonstrate proficiency on a concert band instrument. The group performs at concerts, music festivals and school events. Some school instruments are available for students who need to rent an instrument.
Jazz Band II
(Full year course; prerequisite: by audition only and must be a Symphonic Band member) (Prerequisite for piano, guitar and bass guitar players: by audition only)
This course meets during zero hour three days a week. This intermediate Jazz Band will study and perform a wide variety of jazz music from the traditional Big Band standards to the contemporary jazz/rock styles. Musical style and form is learned by analyzing and performing representative music. Basic improvisation skills will be developed. The group performs at concerts, competitions, festivals and local tours.
Jazz Band III
(Full year course; prerequisite: by audition only and must be a Symphonic Band member) (Prerequisite for piano, guitar and bass guitar players: by audition only)
This course meets during zero hour three days a week. To qualify for Jazz Band III, students must be proficient on their instrument, good music readers, and must have a strong desire to seriously study and perform the contemporary and historical styles of music. Primarily a course for seniors and very advanced underclassmen, the various jazz styles are studied in this band by analyzing, practicing, and performing representative music. Performances are critically analyzed and the quality of the group is maintained at the highest possible standard. The group performs in school and public events both locally and nationally.
Combo
(Full year course; prerequisite: departmental approval and placement)
The Combo meets during zero hour two days a week and is available to some Symphonic Band students and rhythm section players that desired to be in a jazz band but did not get placed. Students will study and perform a variety of jazz styles and develop basic improvisational skills. The group will perform at school concerts.
Music Theory
In addition to receiving music theory instruction within the vocal and instrumental classes a student may select to further their studies in these independent study courses:
Music Theory I
(Full year course; prerequisite: department approval)
This class advances the student's note reading skills and ear training abilities. Students learn the structure of scales, intervals and chords. Much of the skill training is done in our computer music lab. Basic composition and keyboard skills are introduced.
Music Theory II
(Full year course; prerequisite: department approval)
This class continues to develop the skills taught in Music Theory I and covers the more advanced structures in melody, harmony and rhythm. Musical styles and forms are learned through analysis of music and student composition.
Music Theory III
(Full year course; prerequisite: department approval)
Students who want to continue to study music in college, either as a major or minor, need to get a strong background in music theory to help ready them for college level work. The content of the course is geared to prepare students for the AP test in music theory and includes voice leading and four part harmony writing. Melodic, rhythmic and harmonic dictation skills are developed as well as form and analysis of common practical musical styles.
Vocal Music Program Varsity Chorus I
(Full year elective, five days per week; open to all four years, but by audition only)
This chorus is an advanced performance organization that specializes in a variety of contemporary musical styles. Members stage and/or choreograph many of the selections. Students learn stage movements, vocal technique, microphone technique, basic music reading, and ensemble singing which help the students prepare for both theater and music auditions. The repertoire includes jazz and Broadway music as well as classical selections that it performs with the Concert Choruses. Besides performances here at S.L.U.H., Chorus II regularly performs off-campus for a variety of audiences. A sub-ensemble of Chorus II called Varsity Chorus goes on a major tour every two years. Past tours have included performances in New Orleans, Kansas City, New York City, Denver, Phoenix and San Jose
Concert Chorus
(Full or half year course; full year to fulfill fine arts requirement, two days per week zero-hour; three days per week during the school day) (Prerequisite: none)
Concert chorus is available to all students whose schedule precludes participation in one of the regular choruses. It meets twice a week at Zero-Hour (earns .25 credit per semester)) or three times a week during the school day (earns .3 credit per semester). Concert Chorus performs a wide variety of musical styles The students learn basic vocal technique, music reading and performance skills. These students combine with Choruses I and II to form a large combined Chorus which performs on the Winter and Spring concerts and other off-campus performances.
