NCSSM Music Course Titles and Descriptions
Chorale/Chamber Singers
Prerequisite: Previous musical experience in chorus, band, orchestra, voice or piano.
The Chorale is an ensemble which studies and performs selected masterworks of choral music. Certain larger works are performed with the NCSSM Orchestra. The Chamber Singers is a small ensemble of students selected by audition, which performs primarily a capella choral music.
Concert Band
Prerequisite: Previous musical experience on woodwind, brass, string bass, or percussion instruments.
Concert Band is an ensemble, which studies and performs band music literature of medium difficulty. This course is intended for students who would like to continue musical studies in band but do not have sufficient time to commit to the Wind Ensemble, which is an advanced level ensemble.
Wind Ensemble/Symphony Winds
Prerequisite:
Previous musical experience on woodwind, brass, string bass, or percussion
instruments.
Wind Ensemble is an advanced wind band with an emphasis on masterpieces of wind band music literature. Students interested in symphony orchestra literature will be selected by the instructor to rehearse and perform with the symphony orchestra on a regular basis.
Jazz Ensemble
Prerequisite: Previous musical experience on piano, guitar, bass guitar, string bass, drum set, woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments.
Jazz Ensemble is an ensemble, which focuses on the study of jazz literature, jazz styles, and improvisational skills. The core of this ensemble is a jazz combo consisting of a rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass and drum set) and soloists on saxophone, trumpet, and trombone.
Symphony Orchestra Strings
Prerequisite:
previous musical experience on a string instrument.
This ensemble is a string orchestra with an emphasis on masterpieces of the string orchestra and symphony orchestra music literature. Winds and percussion will be added to the string section from the Wind Ensemble as required by the literature being prepared for performance.
Music Composition, Arranging and Theory Using Electronic Music Technology
Prerequisite: None. No prior musical experience is necessary.
This course provides an understanding of contemporary
trends in music composition and performance involving electronic music
technology. The latest technology
enables students, regardless of musical background, to learn to write songs and
compose music for various instruments. The
course includes the use of computer software sequencing programs and multi-track
audio recording as tools for learning fundamentals of music theory and music
composition. After developing basic skills and concepts, students learn to
analyze and recognize contemporary trends in music composition and to compose
music projects.
Advanced Music Composition, Arranging, and Theory
Prerequisite: Music Composition and Theory Using Electronic Music Technology
This course is essentially a continuation of "Music Composition and Theory Using Electronic Technology", with particular emphasis on musical composition using digital sequencers and multi-track audio recording.
Principles of Recording Technology and Music Production
Prerequisite:
None. No
prior musical experience is necessary.
This course provides a comprehensive overview of current
technology and techniques in audio recording and music production. The course
covers basics of acoustics, signal processing, microphones, microphone
techniques, the recording chain and signal flow, digital recording, mixing
theory, and CD mastering. Each student applies concepts discussed in the class to the
completion of a multi-track recording by the end of the semester.
Text: Practical Recording
Techniques, by Bruce and Jenny Bartlett
Advanced Recording Technology and Music Production
Prerequisite: Completion of Principles of Recording Technology and Music Production
This course is a continuation of “Principles of Recording
Technology and Music Production.” This
course includes advanced topics such as multi-track digital editing, advanced
mixing theory, a variety of recording sessions, and live sound support.
Students are expected to complete a major recording project during the
course of the semester.
Music Appreciation: Western and Non-Western Music Cultures
Prerequisite: None. No prior musical
experience is necessary.
This course is a survey of music of Western civilization and other world cultures. The first half is focused on the evolution of European/American art music in the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th Century eras. The second half is focused on the folk music of various world cultures (Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Pacific). Students cover all areas of music sequentially as a group, and each student also selects a specialized area of study involving a research paper and presentation.