Public high school students in the State of Maryland need one fine arts credit (two semesters) for graduation. Any class below may be applied to this requirement. These courses are open to all students, although some courses may have prerequisites. Unless otherwise indicated, all are full-year (two-semester) courses, and students may not take semester 2 (B) without having taken the semester 1 (A) course.
General Music Courses:
Guitar 1 A & B * – Focuses on guitar playing basics and music reading. Students can play chords and melodies in a very short time.
Fall 2009 syllabus for
Mr. Clark,
Mr. Newport.
Guitar 2 A & B * – Focuses on advanced guitar techniques and music reading. Class performs as ensemble at concerts and presents guitar projects once a semester.
Fall 2009 syllabus for
Mr. Newport.
* Guitar students have the opportunity to perform at the two coffeehouses with solos and small groups.
Piano 1 A & B ** -- Focus is on piano playing techniques, music reading. Students can play simple songs from the first day in class.
Fall 2009 syllabus for
Mrs. Josey,
Mr. Clark.
Piano 2 A & B ** – Focus is on advanced piano techniques, music, beginning composition and improvisation. Music history as it influenced keyboard music and composers is studied.
Fall 2009 syllabus for
Mrs. Josey.
** Piano students are often chosen to play for special events both in school and in the community.
Music Theory and Composition A & B -- Focus is on the elements of music with emphasis on terminology, notation, major and minor keys, intervals, triads and beginning part writing. Students apply the elements to composition throughout the year.
Fall 2009 syllabus for
Mr. Clark.
Music and Its Technology A & B -- (suggested Media Literacy Academy Course) -- Students are introduced to music software that allows them to learn, compose, and manipulate music by the use of notation, sequencing and computer-aided instruction software. Music reading is required.
Fall 2009 syllabus for
Ms. Roberts.
Choral Performance Courses:
Concert Choir 1, 2, 3 (grades 9-12) --- Open to all interested students.
Syllabus.
Honors Chamber Choir (grades 10-12) --- Advanced, audition-only choir that sings more complex and mostly a capella music. Choir performs within the community, and at local festivals and concerts as well as on extended trips.
Syllabus.
Choral students have the opportunity to perform at the two coffeehouses with solos and small groups. They are expected to audition for county and state honors groups.
Instrumental Performance Courses: (For syllabus information for these courses, please see the Blair Instrumental Music Handbook.)
Concert Band -- (grades 9-12) -- open to all students; audition required
Symphonic Band -- (grades 10-12 ) -- audition required
Honors Symphonic Band -- (grades 10-12) -- audition required
Beginning Jazz Band -- (grades 9 - 12) -- audition required
Honors Jazz Band -- (grades 10 - 12) -- audition required
String Orchestra -- (grades 9-12) -- open to all students; audition required
Honors Symphonic Orchestra -- (grades 10-12) -- audition required
All instrumental groups perform at many local venues throughout the school year. They also perform at solo and ensemble, county and State Festivals and some groups travel on extended trips. All honors students are expected to participate in extra concerts, solo and ensemble festival, and to audition for county and state honors groups. All band students are eligible to perform with the marching band during the fall.
Information on this page was updated Sep 2, 2009.
Linked syllabi for the Fall 2009 semester were collected from the teachers Aug 25 - Sep 2, 2009.
