Composition class this trimester was comprised of four talented student musicians. Below you’ll find a selection of original songs written and performed by members of the class.
The “Autumn” songs are part of a larger project in which each student will compose their own version of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”.
Listening to Music is a class that teaches genre, instrumentation, form, style, appreciation, and a number of other musical concepts through a project called the SONGWEB. Every student (and every songweb) starts with the same nucleus song. This term, the song was “25 or 6 to 4” as performed by Chicago. This song then would connect to a myriad of other songs via it’s specific musical traits. In the case of “25 or 6 to 4”, a student could connect to another song with a horn section, or another song that uses call and response, or even to “Brain Stew” by Green Day which has a remarkably similar intro. Within the web, students need to complete 3 objectives. 1) Use a song from each decade since 1920. 2) Use a song from each genre we study. 3) Choose and complete a personal objective.
Please visit and explore our SONGWEBS by clicking on “So-and-so’s Songweb”.
Once you’re in the MURAL app, there is a link attached to each song so that you can listen while you learn!
In this new Division 1 foundations course, we explore all things rhythm. The class finds the groove in speech, songs, drumbeats, and even naturally occurring rhythms in the outside world (think rain... or construction sites). Our final unit deals with body percussion. Please enjoy these videos showing off our skills!
Rhythm & Beats is a new high school class premiering this year! Students learn to write, analyze, play, and program beats. For the final project, each member of the class wrote an original beat in a DAW (digital audio workstation) incorporating at least 3 different grooves. Accompanying each song is a visual element we call a “beat grid”. The grid illustrates which instruments are playing and when.
This has been a very special trimester with some of my 'veteran’ singers. We’ve so enjoyed each other’s company and the unique ability to make music during this pandemic. Special masks allow us to sing together safely. Please enjoy a few songs that we have been working on recently!
Our beginning ukulele players learn all the basics of this small, but mighty instrument! After one trimester, they are able to play 12-15 chords, strum in several different patterns, and read a variety of musical charts. Please enjoy these two songs performed by FIRST TIME ukulele players!
