All entering students must take a music placement test to determine at what level they should enter the music curriculum. Students without much previous experience in music will enter the curriculum by taking Music 200 or Music 210. Students who read music and who have played an instrument for several years, but who have not hadmuch formal classroom study, generally enter the curriculum by taking Music 220 in the Junior year or Music 250 in later years. Students who read music, who are experienced on an instrument, and who demonstrate proficiency in music history and/or theory will enter the curriculum by taking either Music 260 or Music 270.

Approximately half of entering Juniors will satisfy their diploma requirements in music by taking either Music 210 or Music 220, depending on placement.Members of the Junior class who do not take Music 210 or Music 220 will satisfy their requirements in one of two ways. Many of these students will take Music 200 followed by either an ensemble for credit (Music 150-180) or any course higher than Music 210. Students who bypass Music 200 as a result of their performance on the music placement test will satisfy their diploma requirements by taking two courses higher than Music 220.

Entering Lowers must take a total of three trimesters of art and music, with at least one course in each area. Subject to their performance on the music placement test, most will take Music 200. Students who take Music 200 and who then elect to take a second music course to fulfill the diploma requirements in art and music will take either an ensemble for credit (Music 150–180) or any course higher than Music 220. Entering Lowers who, as a result of their performance on the music placement test, bypass Music 200 will take onemusic course higher than Music 220. If such a student decides to take a second music course to fulfill the three-term requirement in art and music, she or he may do so by taking any course higher than Music 220.

Entering Uppers must take a trimester course in either music (200 level or above) or art at the Academy. Entering Seniors should take one trimester of either music (200 level or above), art, or theatre.

Students may take any course below the 200 level at any time and, if they desire, repeatedly. Please note, however, that ensemble for credit (Music 150–180) cannot count toward the diploma requirement in music unless taken after Music 200.Music 200, or exemption on the basis of performance on the music placement test, is a prerequisite for all upper-level electives.

Courses in this section may be taken any time.

MUSC-150 Fidelio Society
(F-W-S)
Two class periods. Open to all classes.This small group of mixed voices is selected from the chorus (Music 170). It performs on numerous occasions throughout the year both on chorus programs and on its own. Its repertoire includes music of all types, early and modern, sacred and secular. Membership is by audition and is conditional upon continued good standing in the chorus. A student may take Music 150 and Music 170 simultaneously, but only one will be for credit. This course, if failed, cannot be made up by examination. (Ms. Skelton)

MUSC-160 Band
(F-W-S)
Two class periods. Open to all qualified students. Tryouts are held any time before the beginning of a term to test the student’s ability and to arrange for seating. There are some school-owned instruments available for student use. All types of music for wind ensemble are rehearsed, including marches as well as classical, popular, and show music. Some sight-reading is done, and at least one public concert per term is given. Students taking this course for credit must be taking either instrumental lessons or a weekly seminar in music theory. This course, if failed, cannot be made up by examination. (Mr. Monaco)

MUSC-165 Jazz Band
(F-W-S)
Two class periods. Open to all qualified students. Auditions are held at the beginning of the term, as usually only one player per part is accepted. This ensemble is in a typical big band format and performs the repertoire of the groups of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Thad Jones, and Woody Herman, as well as contemporary Latin jazz and jazz/rock fusion compositions. Membership is conditional on continued good standing in the band. Students taking this course for credit must either be taking instrumental lessons or a weekly seminar in music theory. This course, if failed, cannot be made up by examination. (Mr. Cirelli)

MUSC-170 Chorus
(F-W-S)
Two class periods. Open to all qualified students. The chorus is the Academy’s major singing group composed of mixed voices, and it performs a variety of choral works, both sacred and secular. Those wishing to take the course on a non-credit basis need no previous choral participation, just a desire to work hard and attend all the rehearsals. Students taking the course for credit must be taking either voice lessons or a weekly seminar in music theory. If they have not sung in the chorus before, they may take the course for credit only with the permission of the instructor.This course, if failed, cannot be made up by examination. (Mr. Walter)

MUSC-180 Chamber Orchestra
(F-W-S)
Two class periods. Open to all classes. Most of the music played is for string orchestra; the best winds in the school are invited to join for larger works. While Chamber Orchestra may be elected as a credit-bearing course, it is also an activity in which all are invited to participate. Students taking this course for credit must either be taking instrumental lessons or a weekly seminar in music theory. This course, if failed, cannot be made up by examination. (Mr. Thomas)

MUSC-190 Private Instrument and Voice Lessons
(F-W-S)
Two class periods per week, plus required attendance at three on-campus concerts per term. Open to Lowers, Uppers, and Seniors. Juniors may enroll in the course only with the permission of the department chair. One class meeting each week is a 30-, 45-, or 60-minute instrumental or voice lesson. The other weekly class meeting is a theory seminar that reinforces notational and aural skills. Lessons are available on all band and orchestral instruments and, in addition, on the piano (classical and jazz), organ, harpsichord, harp, guitar (classical, folk, rock, and jazz), bagpipes, and voice.

Music 190 as a credit course—instrumental lessons may be taken for credit or non-credit— is designed for students of all levels of ability who wish to study an instrument seriously. Instrumental study should not be entered into lightly: This work requires great commitment, self-motivation, independence, and discipline. In order that maximal progress is accomplished in minimal time, Music 190 credit students are expected to practice one hour every day. They must also prepare for a performance of their work at the end of the term.

There is a charge of $35 per 30-minute lesson, $46 per 45-minute lesson, and $58 per 60- minute lesson. Keyboard players are assessed a charge of $30 per term for their use of practice pianos and organs. The Academy owns many other instruments that may be rented for $30 per term. Financial assistance for lessons and/or instrument rental is available for students who are on scholarship. A Music 190 credit student who is classified by the Department of Music as a beginner MUST take Music 190 for two consecutive trimesters. Music 190, if failed, cannot be made up by examination.

MUSC-191 Private Instrument and Voice Lessons
(F-W-S)
(non-credit)
One class period. Weekly non-credit lessons are available on all band and orchestral instruments and, in addition, on the piano (classical and jazz), organ, harpsichord, harp, guitar (classical, folk, rock, and jazz), bagpipes, and voice.

There is a charge of $35 per 30-minute lesson, $46 per 45-minute lesson, and $58 per 60- minute lesson. Keyboard players are assessed a charge of $30 per term for their use of practice pianos and organs. The Academy owns many other instruments that may be rented for $30 per term. Financial assistance for lessons and/or instrument rental is available for students who are on scholarship.

The following five courses contribute toward satisfying the diploma requirement in music. Performance on the music placement test determines with which course a student should enter the music curriculum.

MUSC-200 The Nature of Music
(F-W-S)
Five class periods. This course offers a basic introduction to music literature, theory, performance, and composition. Music from many cultures and historical periods is examined in an attempt to increase student awareness of the patterns of syntax and vocabulary that comprise all musical language. Students compose several original compositions, and they also receive instruction on musical instruments. No previous experience in music is required.

MUSC-210/0 The Nature of Music
(for Juniors)
(a yearlong commitment)
Three class periods. Open to Juniors only. This course presents all of the material contained in Music 200 and pursues composition further with the use of computers. No previous experience in music is required.

MUSC-220/0 The Nature of Music B
(for Juniors)
(a yearlong commitment)
Three class periods. This course is designed for Juniors who have had some experience reading music and playing an instrument. As a more advanced version of Music 210, it will include exercises in composition, with more extensive use of music technology. Study of some core works of music literature from a variety of cultures will help develop listening skills, and there will be opportunities for live musicmaking in class.

MUSC-250 Survey of Music History
(F-W-S)
Five class periods. A one-term survey of music history with a primary focus on music of the Western world. The course progresses chronologically from ancient music to the music of today, exploring along the way the religious, social, historical, and human issues surrounding music and its composition. Prerequisite: Music 200 or a bypass ofMusic 200 on the basis of performance on the music placement test.

MUSC-270 Introduction to Theory) and Composition
(F-W)
Five class periods. Entering students are expected to have at least a rudimentary familiarity with musical notation. A quick review of notation is followed by the study of scales, intervals, tonality, harmony, melodic organization, voice leading, four-part choral writing, harmonic progression, and style period analysis. Ear training skills are developed through dictation and sight singing, and keyboard skills are introduced. Students acquire some skill and experience working with computer programs for ear training and music processing. During the term, students compose several original compositions, including the final project of a minuet in the classical style. Students taking this course in the fall may combine it with Music 440 and Music 450 to form a yearlong sequence.

Each of the following upper-level courses requires a course taken previously at the 200 level.

MUSC-310 Jazz History
(W-S)
Four class periods. This course begins by examining jazz’s mixture of African and European traditions and the subsequent pre-jazz styles of spiritual, blues, and ragtime. It then proceeds with a study of 20th century jazz styles, beginning with New Orleans and culminating with the multifaceted creations of today’s artists. Along the way the course pays tribute to the work of some of jazz’s most influential innovators, including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis. Original recordings, photographs, and videos are used extensively throughout the term. (Mr. Cirelli)

MUSC-340 West African
(F-W-S) Drumming Ensemble
Honors/Pass/Fail. Four class periods. This course introduces the role of music in indigenous Africa with an emphasis on Yoruba Orisha Music and its linguistic dimension. It teaches both improvisational and ensemble skills, and cites Santeria, Candomble, Lucumi, Vodum, Shungo, and Bembe as examples of Yorubaderived cultural and musical practices in the Americas.The school owns 20 African drums; as many as 20 students can be enrolled in the course. If failed, this course cannot be made up by examination. A $30 fee is charged for the use of the school’s African drums. (Mr. Alade)

MUSC-360 Electronic Music
(W-S)
Four class periods. This composition course is designed to enable students with modest notational skills to use electronic equipment in order to compose music. Equipment used includes mixing board, analog and four-track tape recorders, digital stereo and eight-track recorders, analog and digitally controlled synthesizers, drum machine, Macintosh computer, and sequencing software (Professional Performer). Projects include compositions in the style of musique concrète and other sound collages using synthesizers. Space limitations in the electronic music studio require that the course be limited to nine students per term. Students must reserve three two-hour private work sessions in the studio per week. A lab fee of $30 is charged for the use of the equipment. This course does not focus on popular music. Music 360, if failed, cannot be made up by examination. (Mr. Monaco)

MUSC-370 Advanced Electronic Music
(W-S)
Four class periods. This course continues to develop the skills and techniques introduced in Music 360. A $30 lab fee is charged for the use of the equipment. Prerequisite: Music 360. Music 370, if failed, cannot be made up by examination.

MUSC-380 Words and Music
(W)
Open to Seniors and Uppers. This two-credit course serves as both a music course (MUSC- 380) and an English course (ENGL-550G) and receives a credit in each department. As a double course, it requires more homework than that of a regular elective.

“If music be the food of love, play on …” Literature and music have long been intertwined, composers being inspired by words to turn them into chants and songs, writers writing prose and poetry that aspire to the state of music. Following a chronological path, we will study Gregorian chant and Renaissance motets, Shakespeare (especially A Midsummer Night’s Dream), classic poems and Classical opera, Romantic song and lyric poetry, Yeats and Joyce (“The Dead”) and Celtic music, and modern and contemporary literature, song, and musicals (including Eliot’s Four Quartets, Argento’s Diary of Virginia Woolf, Baldwin’s Sonny’s Blues, and Sondheim’s Into theWoods).We will examine the music effects of poetry, the treatment of language in songs and chant, and theme and form in both music and literature. Students will write short critical papers and work on small composition assignments; they also will be tested on listening assignments (to sharpen their aural skills). Toward the end of the term, the class will collaborate in the writing/composition of an original music or light (possibly rock) opera, which will be performed during the assessment period. Because of the amount of independent work in the course, the Dean of Studies’ Office will review schedules of students seeking to take this course as part of a four-course schedule. Prerequisite: Music 220, Music 270, or permission of the instructor. (Dr. Fan/Dr.Warsaw)

ADVANCED ELECTIVES

Each of the following courses may require more than the standard four to five hours per week of homework.

MUSC-420 Improvisation
(S)
Four class periods (two singles, one double). The art of improvisation has appeared in the musical styles ofmany different cultures, though it is best known for its central role in jazz performance. Students will begin by employing and refining their aural skills while improvising in the styles of early blues and jazz musicians. Work will then focus on expanding harmonic vocabulary in order to gain command of the techniques and repertoire of modern jazz. These skills also will prove useful for those who improvise in modern popular styles. Assessments will include quizzes, tests, transcriptions, and performance. Open to intermediate and advanced musicians (instrumentalists or vocalists). Prerequisite: Music 270 or permission of the instructor. (Mr. Cirelli)

MUSC-440 Intermediate Theory and Composition
(W)
Five class periods. Continuing from where Music 270 leaves off, this course examines dominant seventh chords, leading-tone sevenths, and nondominant seventh chords. In an attempt to bring theoretical knowledge into practice, score analysis is emphasized both in and out of class. Regular homework devoted to ear training, sight singing, and dictation begins to prepare students for the AP exam in the spring. During the term, students compose two major original works: a set of variations in the classical style and an original song setting of either a preexisting poem or an original text. Prerequisite: Music 270 or permission of instructor.

MUSC-450 Advanced Theory and Composition
(S)
Five class periods. Completing the theory sequence, the focus for this term is on preparation for the AP exam in May. This exam, if successfully passed, will ensure that students receive college credit for their year of music theory study. Material covered includes modulation, secondary dominants, serialism and other 20thcentury compositional techniques, American popular song, blues, and jazz. Students compose two major works: a 12-tone composition and a Sesame Street song in one of the popular styles studied. Prerequisite: Music 440 or permission of instructor.

MUSC-500 Chamber Music Performance Seminar
(S)
Four class periods. This summary course affords students an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge to practical music making through the analysis and performance of chamber music. The process of performance and its attending anxieties also will be studied through readings and exercises. Class work consists of sight reading, performing, coaching, and discussing chamber works and performance issues. Homework consists of individual practice, group rehearsal, and readings from books about performance. Students are expected to be advanced instrumentalists and they will generally have taken at least one course beyond Music 250. Because different literature is studied each term, this course may be taken more than once. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. If failed, this course cannot be made up by examination.