Music Department
MUSIC
Chorus
The goal of the Chorus class is to teach students 1) performance skills to sing choral music, 2) how to rehearse effectively in sections, 3) how to read choral music, 4) how to sight sing in the solfege system, 5) a basic knowledge of music theory, 6) basic keyboard playing 7) skills to discuss music and performances with appropriate musical terms, and 8) write music reviews through critical listening and thinking. All students are expected to perform at school concerts at a minimum of twice a year.
The Piano Class
This course provides instructions on the piano from the beginning to the advanced levels. Instruction is based on a solid European classical tradition which includes the reading of sheet music and classical pianistic technique including posture, fingering, and hand position. The class is structured as student-centered hands-on activities with detailed teacher-student instruction. Students are encouraged to work at their own pace with maximum personal challenges. They are also encouraged to select music for themselves in discussion with the teacher. The repertoire is not limited to any genre and it expands from pop, rock, game/TV/film music to Queen, The Beatles, Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff, etc, or anything you like. The course also includes some academic activities such as creating video and research-presentations on world cultures with focus on music and art.
Music Technology
We are going to save music. Townsend Harris High School’s Music Department is not only enriching the history of music but also propelling it into the future. The majority of music jobs in 2020 are music production, and as much as we would love every Townsend musician to go off and join an orchestra or a band, there are not that many of those paying jobs to go round, and the ones that are there are extremely competitive. Music production, however, is an ever growing field and there is high demand for many that are skilled in this area. Too often, however, there are people who get into music production that know nothing about music, and as a result provide subpar musical products not deserving of the potential it is wasting. Our society and culture deserves highly skilled music producers that have a deep understanding of music theory and can demonstrate their work themselves on an instrument and produce products that exceed expectations and push music evolution forward. This began in September 2020, and it began at Townsend Harris High School.
Beginning Strings
This course offers hands-on experience for students who have never learned to play a string instrument. Knowing how to read music is helpful, but not a requirement. Students will learn basic music theory; proper care and maintenance of their chosen instrument - violin, viola, cello, or bass; proper techniques required to perform solo and ensemble pieces in various styles at level. Open to all grades.
String Ensemble
String Ensemble continues the work students have done in Beginning Strings. Students should be knowledgeable in basic music theory and be able to play pieces in 1st position on all four strings. Course will focus on proper techniques by reviewing the fundamentals, and exploring the more advanced. Additional emphasis will be on ensemble-playing, focusing on the awareness of the intonation of their own instruments and how it harmonizes with others around them. Students will also continue music theory studies at level. Incoming students without completing Beginning Strings must audition. Open to all grades.
Symphonic Strings
Symphonic Strings will perform at both the winter and the spring concert, and at other school functions. Student should be knowledgeable in music theory and be able to performance selections in 3rd position (or beyond). Course consists of both sectional and ensemble rehearsals in preparation for concerts and other performances. Course emphasis is on ensemble-playing, focusing on the awareness and execution of techniques for proper articulation, phrasing, intonation, etc., to enable students to perform, both individually and as an ensemble, with higher-level musicality. Course will continue music theory studies at level; and, in addition, historical and stylistic analysis will be covered based on the repertoire. Open to all grades
Chamber Strings
Chamber Strings is a small ensemble of select student- musicians that will perform at both the winter and the spring concert, other school functions, as well as competitions and festivals. Class will be Chamber-music style rehearsals working on advanced repertoire. Open to all grades
Prerequisite: Audition Only
Concert Band
This is a performance based music class aimed at those who have either never learned how to play a musical instrument, or have very limited formal training on a band instrument. Students will learn the basic foundations of music by performing, reading music notation, and expressing musicality. There will be a culminating performance at the Spring Concert as well as various in class performances throughout the school year. By the end of the school year students will be able to perform at least a level I NYSSMA solo. The instrument choices for Concert Band are flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion.
Symphonic Band
This is a performance based music class aimed at those who have had formal training on a band instrument for at least one year. Students will deepen their understanding of music by performing, reading music notation, and expressing musicality at an intermediate level. This class also will have an introductory music theory component. The group will perform at the Winter and Spring Concerts, participate in the NYSSMA Majors and Music in the Park Festivals, as well as various in class performances throughout the school year. Students will hone their skills of music performance (solo and ensemble) and music theory as well as interpersonal communication, teamwork, goal setting, camaraderie, and task pacing that will assist all students for post high school life. Students who currently play a band instrument who look to continue their musical enrichment are encouraged to enroll in this class.
Prerequisite: Completion of Concert Band, or equivalent.
Jazz Ensemble
This is an advanced performance based music class in the band curriculum aimed at those who have had extensive formal training on a band instrument. Students will deepen their understanding of jazz music by performing, listening, reading music notation, and expressing musicality at an advanced level. This class also will have an advanced music theory component that will drive instruction for improvisation. The group will perform at the Winter and Spring Concerts, participate in the NYSSMA Majors and various music festivals, as well as various performances throughout the school year. This class is designed to prepare music students to play swing, funk, rock, Latin, and ballad style tunes. By the end of year one in Jazz Ensemble students will be able to perform at least level V jazz music as well as demonstrate basic improvisational techniques. For students taking the class multiple times, there will be more advanced techniques that will build off your previous years in Jazz Ensemble. The Jazz Ensemble is ONLY open to musicians that play alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones, trombones, trumpets, piano, guitar, bass, and drums.
Prerequisite: At least 2 years of formal band experience, or equivalent.
Wind Ensemble
This is the highest level performing group in the band program which in turn makes it the most rewarding. Coincidentally it is also the most fun and students enrolled in this class will obtain lifelong skills that transcend the music medium. There is a strong student leadership system in place that can give opportunities for highly skilled musicians to shine as well as many non-performance based position that can offer anyone to lead. This also allows for a support system to ensure that every student finds success even if they are struggling; every student will succeed. We play NYSSMA Level V music which we perform at NYSSMA Majors as well as various music festivals such as Music in the Parks and most recently the Heritage Festival at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. We are a feature ensemble here at Townsend that performs at various school functions such as Founders’ Day, winter and spring concerts, graduation, and more. Students will hone their skills of music performance (solo and ensemble) and music theory as well as interpersonal communication, teamwork, goal setting, camaraderie, and task pacing that will assist all students for post high school life. Students join this group to advance their playing to prepare for college auditions, participate in groups like Pit Orchestra, All City, and All State Bands, but also for those that just want a mild enrichment in the arts at a high level; there is a place for anyone who has a love for music.
Prerequisite: At least 2 years of formal band experience, or equivalent.