Westbrook High School

601011 - Concert Band

This course studies music through performance in band. We use standard concert band instrumentation (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion). Students are encouraged to have their own instruments.  Some of the larger secondary instruments (bass clarinet, baritone saxophone, euphonium, and tuba) are provided by the school.  Individual practice outside of class is required. Students are assessed based on their music literacy skills, quarterly performance evaluations, and their participation in rehearsal and performances.  Concert Band performs in quarterly concerts, assemblies, and parades. 

Prerequisite: Participation in band in middle school or the ability to play a band instrument at the 9th-grade level. 
Credit: 1
Grades: 9 through 12 
Length: 1 year
Weight: 1.0

601062 - Concert Choir

Concert Choir is a non-audition group open to all students, regardless of musical experience. This course studies music through performance in choir, with repertoire ranging from classical to current day popular music. Students are assessed based on participation in rehearsal, quarterly concerts, and music literacy skills. Performances include in-school assemblies and evening concerts.

Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1
Length: 1 year
Grades: 9 through 12
Weight: 1.0

601041 - UCONN ECE Music Theory 1 

This is the study of the fundamentals of how music is organized and created. Topics covered are: notation, rhythm, pitch, scales, modes, the Circle of Fifths, key signatures, and rhythmic and tonal ear training. Experience studying an instrument or voice is extremely helpful.  The ability to read music is not required but strongly recommended. This course is a prerequisite for Music Theory II.

Prerequisite: None 
Credit: 0.5
Grade: 10 through 12 
Length: 1 Semester
Weight: 1.1

601042 - UCONN ECE Music Theory 2

This is the continuation of the study of the fundamentals of how music is organized and created. Topics covered are: the Circle of Fifths, key signatures, intervals, triads, seventh chords, inversions, basic chord progressions, microanalysis of hymns and chorales, and rhythmic and tonal ear training. Experience studying an instrument or voice is extremely helpful. The ability to read music is not required but strongly recommended.  This course is a prerequisite for Form and Analysis.

Prerequisite: Music Theory 1 
Credit: 0.5
Grades: 10 - 12 
Length: 1 Semester
Weight: 1.1

601046 - Form and Analysis

Form and Analysis is a continuation of Music Theory and focuses heavily on advanced theoretical concepts in music as well as compositional techniques from the Baroque period through today. Topics covered include rhythmic and melodic dictation, ear training, micro-analysis of hymns and chorales, voice leading techniques, counterpoint, extended dominants, secondary dominant and leading tone chords, borrowed and Neapolitan chords, chromatic harmony, augmented sixth chords, and 20th-century compositional techniques including Serialism (set theory) and twelve-tone composition. Students will also be introduced to advanced musical forms through the macro-analysis of compositions by Bach and Beethoven. Finally, this course culminates with the student composing an original piece using the techniques covered throughout Music Theory I and II.

Prerequisite: UConn ECE Music Theory 2
Credit: 1
Grades: 11 - 12 
Length: 1 Year
Weight: 1.05

601031 – Acoustic Guitar I

This course is designed for students with little to no experience on guitar and focuses on rhythm guitar.  Topics covered are: parts of the guitar, posture, beginning playing techniques, basic notation reading, chords, I/IV/V progressions, barring, the capo, and beginning scales.  Modern technology is used extensively to assist in finding applicable songs and using online tutorials.  Students must provide their own guitar.  This course is a prerequisite for Guitar II.

Prerequisite: None 
Credit: 1/2
Grades: 9 through 12 
Length: 1 semester
Weight: 1.0

601032 – Acoustic Guitar II

Guitar II is a continuation of Guitar I and the study of the acoustic guitar.  The class covers the fundamentals of acoustic guitar including beginning/intermediate technique basic music theory, the role of the rhythm guitarist, chord progressions, scales, and basic music reading. Advanced students may begin learning solo techniques. Proficiency in music reading is not required but extremely helpful. Students are responsible for their own instruments.  This class is open to grades 9-12 and must either have successfully completed Guitar I or have passed a proficiency exam.

Prerequisite: Guitar I or Audition
Credit: ½
Grades: 9 through 12 
Length: 1 semester
Weight: 1.0

601043 - UCONN ECE Music Appreciation

This course will introduce the student to a variety of musical genres throughout history, including current and popular music. We will learn to identify these genres, compare them to one another and to other art forms of their time, and explore their connection to world events. This class focuses on listening and responding to examples of great compositional works and understanding the development of music over the course of history.  This course is a prerequisite to History of Jazz and Rock and Roll.

Prerequisite: None 
Credit: 1
Grades: 10 through 12
Length: 1 year
Weight: 1.1

601016 - Jazz/Rock Ensemble

This ensemble, as a performing group, will study moderately difficult music ranging from the Big Band/Swing era to modern jazz/rock. This will involve the study of musical style and the blues as well as performance problems of the instrumentalist. The ensemble performs in concerts and assemblies.

Prerequisite: Audition 
Credit: ½
Meets outside of school day as determined by the instructor
Grades: 9 through 12 
Weight: Pass/Fail

 601056 - Select Choir 

This select ensemble performs music from a variety of genres, including multicultural, contemporary, and acapella selections. Those chosen for this ensemble have demonstrated a strong singing voice, the ability to learn music quickly and a strong work ethic. Select Choir rehearses outside of the school day as determined by the director and performs at concerts and community events throughout the year. Auditions will be held at the beginning of the school year.

Prerequisite: Audition/Enrollment in an in-school performing group 
Credit: .5
Length: 1 year
Meets outside of the school day as determined by the director
Weight: Pass/Fail
Grades: 9 through 12 

601045 - Voice Class

Students enrolled in voice class will have the opportunity to improve their vocal skills in a small group atmosphere. Breath support, healthy tone quality, phrasing, and style will be stressed. Beginners, as well as experienced singers, are invited to enroll. Students will choose the music they wish to study from a wide variety of styles from classical to musical theater.

Prerequisite: None
Credit: .5
Class meets every day
Length: 1 semester
Grades: 9 through 12
Weight: 1.0

601017 - Beginning Band 

This is a course designed for those who either never took band and now want to or those who are simply interested in learning a wind or brass instrument. Students will learn the beginning techniques of the instruments as well as music reading.  Students are assessed through class participation and performance tests.  No public performance is required.

Prerequisite: none
Credit: ½
Length: 1 semester
Grades: 9 through 12 
Weight:1.0

601066 - Piano/Keyboard Class

This course will teach beginning piano skills in a small group setting. No prior musical knowledge is necessary, but students with piano experience are also welcome – the instructor will accommodate any student at his/her current skill level. Points of focus include basic piano technique, music reading skills, and playing by ear. Although music will be primarily provided by the instructor, students are welcome to bring other repertoires if they wish. Keyboards will be provided for classroom use, but students must have a piano or keyboard at home for practice purposes.

Prerequisite: none
Credit: 1/2
Length: 1 semester
Grades: 9 through 12
Weight: 1.0

601049 - History of Jazz/Rock and Roll

This course is the study of the Blues and its evolution as a musical form. Similar to Music Appreciation, this course is rooted in American history, circa 1890-1980. We follow the Blues as it came together after the Civil War and manifested itself in the development of Jazz and, eventually, Rock n Roll. The curriculum centers around the Ken Burns documentary Jazz and the Time Magazine documentary The History of Rock n Roll. Students will study such figures as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Howlin' Wolf, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Led Zeppelin.

Prerequisite: None (Music Appreciation strongly suggested)
Credit: 1
Grades: 11-12
Weight: 1.0
Length: 1 Year