The study of music encourages a sense of discipline and accomplishment. A universal language, music is a gateway to understanding history and style. All courses meet the Art/Music/Drama graduation requirement.

 

MUSIC at North High includes many course offerings and performance opportunities. Students can explore their interest in Music Theory or Composition, or refine their performance skills in the area of Instrumental and Vocal music. For more information, please contact:

 

Mr. Joseph Rutkowski, Director of Instrumental Music. JRutkowski@greatneck.k12.ny.us    phone: 516 441-3218   Please see are webpage for more information regarding the Instrumental Music program https://www.greatneck.k12.ny.us/Page/13704     

 

Dr. Pamela Levy, Director of Vocal Music. PLevy@greatneck.k12.ny.us   phone:  516 441-4751

 

 

 

CONCERT CHOIR – FULL YEAR

Chorus is a large ensemble for students in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 who love to sing! No audition is required. The ensemble works on repertoire of all types and is the main ensemble for singing larger choral masterworks with orchestra. Attendance at all concert performance dates and times is required to receive credit. NOTE: This class meets every day 1 unit of credit No prerequisite. Meets Art/Drama/Music requirement.

 

CHAMBER CHOIR -FULL YEAR

This course is for the student who loves to sing and enjoys a challenging musical experience. Musicianship skills will be emphasized such as sight-reading, conducting, and stylistic differences between various genres. Music will be studied from the Renaissance to the 21st Century such as Monteverdi, Bach, Brahms, Mozart, Poulenc, and Rutter. Students will perform at the Winter and Spring Artfest concerts, as well as community service and other performances. 1 unit of credit. No prerequisite.

 

MUSIC THEORY and TECHNOLOGY I (SEMESTER) This course is an introduction to learning the elements of music; notes, rhythms, time signatures, chords, melody, harmony, and other topics. As students master the material they will be introduced to a computer program which will enable them to compose music. This course is a prerequisite for AP Music Theory. ½ unit of credit No prerequisite.

 

MUSIC THEORY and TECHNOLOGY II (SEMESTER) For students having completed MT & T 1, but not yet ready for AP Music Theory. ½ unit of credit Prerequisite: Music Theory and Technology I or permission of the instructor

 

AP MUSIC THEORY This course is for the student interested in advanced music composition and music theory. Knowledge of an instrument, especially piano, is desirable. This course will include the study of four part writing , analysis, and musical style, along with practice in ear training, sight singing, and musicianship. The AP test is required for completion of the course. 1 unit of credit Prerequisite: Earlier study in Music Theory, Music Theory and Technology, and/or interview with the instructor.

 

CONCERT BAND – FULL YEAR

Enrollment in Concert Band is available to all ninth grade woodwind, brass and percussion players and one keyboard player. Students remain in Concert Band for as many terms (usually two) as necessary until he/she qualifies for SYMPHONIC BAND and subject to satisfactory performance. The course is designed for 9th grade band students. The Concert Band class combines with the Symphonic Band to provide musical entertainment at the annual Fall Pep Rally, Open School Night and the Annual Tri-M Dinner for Long Island Chapters. All members of the Concert Band are encouraged to register for the Chamber Music Class and/or audition for the Jazz Ensemble and/or the Musical Pit Orchestras for productions at North High and/or to prepare solo compositions to participate in the Spring NYSSMA Solo and Ensemble Evaluation Festival which can lead to being selected for the prestigious All County and All State performing ensembles. Concert Band students may be invited to rehearse and perform with the SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA after school on most Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:40-3:30 pm. 1 unit of credit. Prerequisite – Concert Band or Eighth Grade Band the previous year or by audition and interview with Instrumental Director

 

SYMPHONIC BAND – FULL YEAR

Enrollment in the Symphonic Band is available to all woodwind, brass and percussion players and one keyboard player who have successfully completed Concert Band Class requirements. Students remain in the Symphonic Band subject to satisfactory performance, until graduation. The most challenging works of the symphonic band repertoire (NYSSMA ratings V and VI) are studied and performed in public. Membership in the Symphonic Band entails mandatory attendance at all scheduled Instrumental performances. The Symphonic Band provides musical entertainment at the annual Fall Pep Rally, Open School Night and the Annual Tri-M Dinner for Long Island Chapters. All members of the SYMPHONIC BAND are encouraged to register for the Chamber Music Class and/or audition for the Jazz Ensemble and/or the Musical Pit Orchestras for productions at North High and/or to prepare solo compositions to participate in the Spring NYSSMA Solo and Ensemble Evaluation Festival which can lead to being selected for the prestigious All County and All State performing ensembles. Symphonic Band students may be invited to rehearse and perform with the SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA after school on most Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:40-3:30 pm. NOTE: 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students who are unable to be programmed daily for SYMPHONIC BAND are required to register for Concert Band to be eligible to participate in All County, All State and/or All Eastern select ensembles. 1 unit of credit Prerequisite – Symphonic Band or Concert Instrumental Band the previous year or by audition and interview with the Instrumental Director

 

CONCERT ORCHESTRA – FULL YEAR

Enrollment in CONCERT ORCHESTRA is available to all ninth grade string players and one keyboard player. Students remain in CONCERT ORCHESTRA for as many terms (usually two) as necessary until he/she qualifies for SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and subject to a satisfactory performance. The course is designed for ninth grade string students as well as for 10th, 11th, and 12th graders who need remedial instruction in string techniques. All members of the CONCERT ORCHESTRA are encouraged to register for the Chamber Music Class and/or audition for the Jazz Ensemble and/or the Musical Pit Orchestras for productions at North High and/or to prepare solo compositions to participate in the Spring NYSSMA Solo and Ensemble Evaluation Festival which can lead to being selected for the prestigious All County and All State performing ensembles. Concert Orchestra students may be invited to rehearse and perform with the SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA after school on most Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:40-3:30 pm. 1 unit of credit. Prerequisite – Concert Orchestra or 8th grade orchestra previous year or by audition and interview with the Instrumental Director

 

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA – FULL YEAR

Enrollment in the Symphony Orchestra is available to all string players, harpists and one keyboard player who have successfully completed the Concert Orchestra Class requirements. Woodwind, brass and percussion players are selected by the Instrumental Director from the Symphonic Band to join the strings in specially scheduled sectionals. Wind and percussion players should not register for Symphony Orchestra. Students remain in the Symphony Orchestra subject to satisfactory performance, until graduation. The most challenging works of the symphony orchestra and string orchestra repertoire (NYSSMA ratings V and VI) are studied and performed in public. Membership in the Symphony Orchestra entails mandatory attendance at all scheduled instrumental performances. All members of the SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA are encouraged to register for the Chamber Music Class and/or audition for the Jazz Ensemble and/or the Musical Pit Orchestras for productions at North High and/or to prepare solo compositions to participate in the Spring NYSSMA Solo and Ensemble Evaluation Festival which can lead to being selected for the prestigious All County and All State performing ensembles. 1 unit of credit Prerequisite: Symphony Orchestra or Concert Orchestra previous year or by audition and interview with the Instrumental Director. NOTE: 10th, 11th and 12th grade string students who are unable to be programmed daily for SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA are required to register for CONCERT ORCHESTRA to be eligible to participate in All County, All State and/or All Eastern select ensembles. Performance objectives in all four Instrumental Ensemble classes include: sight-reading skills, musicianship and performance standards at the appropriate level, response to conductor’s cues, tuning, intonation, articulation, balance, bowing, positions, vibrato and phrasing. Every class period begins with a daily warm-up that promotes continual development of technique, ensemble playing and phrasing. Self- and peer- evaluation and critical thinking skills are fostered when the students master the basic fundamentals of musicianship as they approach the music of the Masters. The first 10 weeks of the school year focus on the 9 symphonies of Beethoven in the orchestra classes and the wind ensemble repertoire by Holst, Vaughan Williams, Grainger and Sousa in the band classes. This curriculum leads to a thorough understanding of being an accomplished musician. A four-year sequence is strongly encouraged. The Instrumental Director is always available for the students to discuss their involvement in the program. Students who play or wish to transfer to instruments such as the oboe,  bassoon, bass clarinet, baritone saxophone, French horn, euphonium or tuba or who are selected for All County may be invited to rehearse and perform with the SYMPHONIC BAND and/or SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. Students who wish to be challenged by transferring to those instruments will be instructed with the Yamaha BAND STUDENT methodology during class time.

 

Enrollment in Chamber Music is available to all string, woodwind, brass, percussion players, keyboard players and guitarists. The class meets every school day from 7:15-7:57 a.m. Continuation in the program is subject to satisfactory performance. The course is designed for student musicians already registered for the usual instrumental classes (Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, Concert Orchestra or Concert Band) who wish to develop instrumental techniques necessary to perform in a chamber ensemble. The course begins with the study and mastery of one or more of the large serenades by Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Dvorak and Gounod. After one month, the class is divided into smaller groups of duos, trios, quartets and quintets. The class also provides the weekly Lobby Music on Friday mornings. This is a highlight of the North High culture, as well as the guarantee of a weekly live performance experience for the musicians and the entering body of students, faculty and staff members. The course culminates with the students’ commitment to as many of the appearances of the Chamber Music Society as possible including the spring Chamber Music Recital and appearances off campus in the community.

 

Co-requisite-symphonic Band or Concert Band, or Symphony Orchestra or Concert Orchestra

 

1⁄2 unit of credit