Introduction to Concert Band
Director: Ben Richmond
Description: *This course is an opportunity for students to learn to play an instrument for the first time. Students also flourish in class reviewing an instrument they used to play. Students may also choose to learn several different instruments in addition to the one they presently play. Students learn to speak the universal rhythmic language, read music, learn fingerings, stickings, and positions. Students are trained in breathing techniques to create beautiful tone. They will learn ensemble skills as they participate in all the concert band performances. *Anyone wishing to study keyboard or guitar must also learn a traditional concert band instrument.
Concert Band
Director: Ben Richmond
Description: *This course, involving a large instrumental ensemble, is designed for students with at least one year of experience playing a concert band instrument. This course continues to improve performance skills and knowledge of music theory that secures the musician’s life-long appreciation for playing live music. Students learn to speak the universal rhythmic language, read music, learn fingerings, stickings and positions. They are also trained in breathing techniques to create beautiful tone. They will learn ensemble skills as they participate in all the concert band performances. *Anyone wishing to study keyboard or guitar must also learn a traditional concert band instrument.
Concert Band with Jazz Band
Director: Ben Richmond
Description: This course, involving an instrumental jazz ensemble, is offered in conjunction with Concert Band and is designed to challenge the student in the art of improvisation and the style of playing jazz music. Students must be enrolled in Concert Band in order to audition and to participate in Jazz Band. Students are required to attend all Concert Band and Jazz Band performances.
Chamber Ensemble
Director: Ben Richmond
Description: This course is offered immediately after the school day with rehearsals twice a week. This course will involve progressive skills of bowing, vibrato, 1st, 2nd, 3rd positions, and shifting techniques. The strongest emphasis of this ensemble will be refining the art of playing in tune and the ensemble performance of intermediate and advanced repertoire. Focusing on the classical style repertoire, musicians will also be challenged in the art of performing jazz, mariachi, vocal accompaniment, pop, and various cultural styles through ensemble rehearsal and performance. Woodwind, brass, and percussion players interested an orchestra setting are encouraged to join this class. These players will need a teacher recommendation and have high intermediate to advanced playing skills.
Chorale
Director: Colin Graebert
Description: This course, involving a large vocal ensemble, is designed to challenge students whose musical abilities are diverse to channel their abilities in the art of song. Many different aspects of music are explored, such as listening skills, vocal warm-ups, note reading, vocal blending, musical interpretations, solfege (singer’s alphabet), stage presence (posture), and performance skills. Students are required to attend all chorale performances.
Chorale with Concert Choir
Director: Colin Graebert
Description: This course, involving a small vocal ensemble, is offered in conjunction with Chorale and is designed to challenge students with strong vocal skills. Students must be enrolled in Chorale in order to audition and to participate in Concert Choir. Members of the Concert Choir are held to a higher performance standard than Chorale members because the pieces chosen for Concert Choir are more difficult to perform. Rehearsal are held on Tuesdays from 7:00 a.m. – 7:50 a.m. and again on Tuesdays from 1:50 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Music Theory
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Description: This course is designed to challenge students who wish to learn about the written and auditory structures of music. Students are required to write an original tune for their final project. Through this procedure the students will learn all the concepts described as course objectives.
Contemporary Music Workshop
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Description: This course involves vocalists and instrumentalists who will work together exploring contemporary music. Students must have a teacher recommendation in order to participate in this class. They will develop fundamental skills in the art of performance. They will experience new music and material as a group, individually, and through sectional rehearsals.
Piano Classes
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Description: This course is offered in a private lesson format or a group lesson of 3-4 students. Beginners, intermediate and advanced pianists will have the opportunity to learn and improve their reading of melodic lines, chords and rhythms as well as technique. Students enrolled in this class will also explore hearing a song and finding it on the on the piano without written notes. Students will also have the ability to guide the direction of their learning. No performance is required. For the student that is interested in learning performance skills, there will be opportunities to perform for an audience. Lessons are easily scheduled during a student’s study hall period(s).
Music Independent Study: Students who are interested in exploring topics or skills not covered in the preceding classes may arrange an independent study with a current instructor. The student must come up with a plan of study, fill out the required form, and obtain approval from the supervising faculty member and Academic Dean. Amount of credit awarded will be determined by the Dean.
Extra Curricular Opportunities in Music
Band Council
Advisor: Ben Richmond
Description: Members assist with the preparation of music camp and act as camp counselors. They raise money and collect food through a practice-a-thon for Manna. Members lead sectionals during the year, organize extra rehearsals, and performances. Members also help sustain the music library and raise money for team building activities.
Chamber Council
Advisor: Ben Richmond
Description: Members assist with the preparation of music camp and act as camp counselors. Members lead sectionals during the year. They organize extra rehearsals and performances in conjunction with the director. Members also help sustain the music library.
Chorale Council
Advisor: Colin Graebert
Description: This group assists with music camp, sectionals throughout the year, and the organization of all extra rehearsals and performances.
Jazz Combo
Advisor: Ben Richmond
Description: The Jazz Combo is an opportunity for musicians to learn and perform the art of self-expression through improvisation. Many Jazz Combo players also audition for and participate in the Jazz Band.
Peppers
Advisor: Ben Richmond
Description: This group of instrumentalists provides music for various home sporting events. Their music includes standard rock and swing tunes traditionally played at high school and college athletic events.
National Anthem Performances
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Description: Students are encouraged to practice soloing skills with directors and performing the National Anthem for the various sporting events during the school year.
Solo & Ensemble
Advisors: Colin Graebert
Description: Students of all skill levels are encouraged to participate in this recital format performance in October.
Singing in Musicals
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Description: Open to all students of Bapst is the opportunity to sing in solo and ensemble format of a Broadway Show. Performances are in March.
Playing in the Pit Band for Musicals
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Description: Open to all students of Bapst is the opportunity to learn and perform the instrumental music of a Broadway Show. Performances are in March.
Advanced Musical Opportunities
MMEA District Honors Festival
Advisors: Ben Richmond and Colin Graebert
Description: Students are chosen by directors to participate in the Music District Festival featuring a chorus, band, and orchestra.
MMEA State Jazz and Classical All-State Festivals
Advisors: Ben Richmond and Colin Graebert
Description: Students decide to audition for membership in the State Festivals of Jazz featuring vocal and instrumental ensembles. Student also decide to audition for membership in the State Festival of Classical featuring chorus, band, and orchestra.