Curricular Program

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Music may be experienced as performer, composer, and listener. The Delbarton Music Department program provides experiences for students in each of these areas. All students are introduced to the creative and listening process of music in the 7th and 11th grade classes. Classes offered in the 12th grade include keyboard playing, music history, and music theory. The primary performing groups are the Schola Cantorum (chorus), Wind Ensemble (band), and Abbey Orchestra. Smaller chamber groups such as brass ensemble, clarinet ensemble, and saxophone ensemble exist in relation to the primary performance groups. There is also a jazz ensemble. All performing groups rehearse in the afternoon or early evening as part of our extra-curricular music program. A student may further his performing skills through private lessons in voice, piano, organ, keyboard, and woodwind, brass, string, and percussion instruments. Lessons are normally in the afternoon and early evening.

Courses

MU001 Music 07 2cr {07} RQ

All students are required to take this one-term course introducing them to rhythm, melody, harmony, and tone color. In this course students create, listen and perform.

MU302 Introduction to Music Listening 2cr {11} FA RQ

This is a one-term required course in which the student analyzes musical patterns of statement, contrast, accent, progression, repetition, and variation. Students will learn the necessary skills and terminology to interact and critique the music they hear every day. The student is introduced to a variety of musical styles. There is an emphasis on the aesthetic experience of music.

MU306 Introduction to Music Theory 2cr {11} FA DptRec

Using the electronic keyboards and computers in the Delbarton music studio, the course covers triads, intervals, scales, cadences, notation, elements of musical form, part writing, sight singing, dictation in melody, rhythm and harmony, applying these to written and keyboard work. There is also an emphasis on creating musical compositions. The course serves as a preparation for Advanced Placement Music Theory.

MU403 Keyboarding

This full year course is meant for students with little or no previous piano background. We will study all the elements that go into playing piano music including: posture, note reading, rhythm, counting, expression, and other musical markings found in a piano score. Students will be expected to use the time provided in class to practice assigned pieces. Upon leaving this class you can expect to read music on the grand staff, play in a variety of hand positions, accurately count and perform rhythms, and have a working knowledge of scales and chords. We will also explore examples of advanced piano literature to become more familiar with significant composers, works, styles, and historical periods in music.

MU404 Music History 6cr {12} EL FA

Primarily a listening course for both the performer and non-performer exploring all styles of music (classical and non-classical, western and non-western) from the Middle -Ages to the Twenty-First Century, the course utilizes the resources of the music department's music laboratory studying musical works through recordings, films, and live performances. The student will also have the opportunity to develop basic performance and composition skills using the laboratory's computers and digital keyboards. The goal of the course is to develop an understanding and appreciation of all styles and types of music.

MU606 AP Music Theory 6cr {12} EL FA [MU306, Ability to Read Music, DptRec]

This full-year course is a deeper investigation into the technical aspects of music studied in the junior year Introduction to Music Theory course. Topics studied will include: reading notation, key signatures, time signatures, chords, Roman numeral analysis and function, figured bass realization, four part chorale writing, dictation, ear training, sight singing, and composition. This course is a skills course and will require practice of skills outside of the classroom for success. Prerequisite: Completion of MU306 or equivalent training. At the conclusion of the course, the students will take the AP Music Theory exam, administered by the College Board.

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