Music Education Course Selections

9805 BELLETONES AND REDMEN 0.5 Credit Grades 11-12
Students must be members of the Meistersingers and have a desire to perform music from all periods of composition, but with an emphasis on musical comedy styles and lighter forms of vocal music. The group excels in choral choreography and performs at community functions and all concerts, many of which are in the evening. Participation is expected at all announced functions in which this group participates. Attendance at all performances and rehearsals is mandatory. This is a co-curricular course, which means that it has some requirements outside of school hours. Exceptions to this policy MUST be approved by the director and the principal. Students are selected to be a part of Belletones and Redmen by the director.

9811 MEISTERSINGERS 0.5 Credit Grades 10-12
Selected by audition, the Meistersingers are a choral organization that performs an SATB repertoire of music from all periods of classical composition. The Meistersingers enjoy a demanding concert schedule, produce a major Broadway show biannually, perform at community functions and offer opportunities for solos, ensembles, dramatic portrayals, and dance. Participation is expected at all announced functions in which this group participates. Attendance at all performances and rehearsals is mandatory. This is a co-curricular course, which means that it has some requirements outside of school. Exceptions to this policy MUST be approved by the director and the principal.

9815 HANDBELL CHOIR 0.5 Credit Grades 9-12
The Handbell Choir provides a unique performance opportunity as an alternative to more traditional music courses. Students must be able to read music. Basics of Handbell ringing will be covered and more advanced techniques and skills will be added as the group progresses. Students will be expected to display a basic knowledge of note names, values, and basic rhythmic patterns and, according to ability, be placed in one of two appropriate performance level bell choirs. Attendance at all performances and rehearsals is mandatory.

8803 BEL CANTO CHOIR 0.5 Credit Grades 10-12
Bel Canto is a select, auditioned choir that participates in concerts, assemblies, and community programs. The choir performs an SATB repertoire of different styles and music from all periods of music history, in English, as well as other languages. Vocal sectionals are a regular part of each student’s Bel Canto experience. Participation is expected at all announced functions in which this group participates. Attendance at all performances and rehearsals is mandatory. This is a co-curricular course, which means that it has some requirements outside of school hours. Exceptions to this policy MUST be approved by the director and the principal.

8807 CONCERT CHOIR 0.5 Credit Grade 9-10
Concert Choir is a non-auditioned choir made up of male and female voices. The focus of this course is to develop the vocal instrument through instruction on all aspects of the vocal anatomy, vocal technique, and sight reading of music. Concert music is selected from a standard repertoire of high school vocal music, including a focus on the performance of acapella compositions. Vocal sectional are a required part of each student’s experience. Participation is expected at all announced functions. Attendance at all performances and rehearsals is mandatory. This is a co-curricular course, which means that it has some requirements outside of school hours. Exceptions to this policy MUST be approved by the director and the principal.

8811 9TH GRADE GIRLS’ CHORUS 0.5 Credit Grade 9
9th Grade Girls’ Chorus is a non-auditioned choir of women’s voices that participates in concerts and assemblies. The choir performs an SSA repertoire of different styles and music from all periods of music history, in English, as well as other languages. Vocal sectionals are a regular part of each student’s experience. Participation is expected at all announced functions in which this group participates. Attendance at all performances and rehearsals is mandatory. This is a co-curricular course, which means that it has some requirements outside of school hours. Exceptions to this policy MUST be approved by the director and the principal.

9819 MUSIC KEYBOARDING 0.5 Credit Grades 9-12
Music Keyboard is a course in the beginning basics of keyboard playing for those with no prior experience. Classes are taught in group lessons with practice time and individual help given to each student. Classes stress note reading, musical signs and symbols, intervals, and performance within the classroom setting. Each student has his or her own keyboard for class and lesson use and what she or he learns is transferable to home organ, piano, or keyboard.

9835 SYMPHONIC BAND 0.5 Credit Grades 9-12
(prerequisite: audition/evaluation by the director)
NOTE: This course requires a FULL YEAR commitment on the part of the student. Only brass and woodwind players should schedule this course. Percussion students should schedule Percussion Ensemble.
This class is a select instrumental organization whose members are selected or recommended by the high school or middle school director through an evaluation process. This is a high profile ensemble. The members are part of ONE band, the Marching Red Raider band and the Coatesville Area Senior High School Concert Band. During the marching season, the band rehearses two nights per week. If there is a competition on a Saturday, the band will rehearse before the competition. The Marching Red Raiders enjoy a demanding fall schedule, comprised of competitions, football games, parades, and community events, which concludes at the end of football season. However, other performances (i.e. parades, community events, etc.) may involve marching after football season has concluded. Participation is expected at all announced performances. Attendance at all performances and rehearsals is mandatory. This is a co-curricular course, which means that it has some requirements outside of school hours. Exceptions to this policy MUST be approved by the director and the principal. There is a participation fee of $80 to cover the cost of dry cleaning. Some students may need to purchase shoes and/or gloves at an additional cost of up to $40.

9823 JAZZ BAND 0.5 Credit Grades 9-12
(prerequisite: audition/evaluation by the director)
The membership consists of a limited jazz instrumentation and is chosen by the director through an audition process. The instrumentation is as follows: alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones, tuba, trombones, trumpets, drum set players, electric and bass guitars. Jazz/Big Band music is the primary focus of this class. Students who choose this course MUST be able to read music! All wind players such as saxophones and brass MUST be part of the Symphonic Band. There are a LIMITED number of bass and electric guitar and drum positions in this ensemble. Attendance at all performances and rehearsals is mandatory. This is a co-curricular course, which means that it has some requirements outside of school hours.

9827 PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE 0.5 Credit Grades 9-12
(prerequisite: audition/evaluation by the director)
Only percussionists should schedule this course. Brass And woodwind players must schedule Symphonic Band. This course is designed to explore the melodic percussion instruments. This class will have several mandatory performances. Students must be able to read music. The instruments that will be covered are Timpani, Marimba, Xylophone, Vibraphone, field battery, and all types of auxiliary instruments as well as some rudiment percussion. Students must be recommended by the teacher/director. During the outdoor months, this group performs with the Marching Band. This is a co-curricular course, which means that it has some requirements outside of school hours.

9838 MUSIC MAJORS 0.5 Credit Grades 9-12
This comprehensive music class will give students a better understanding of the principles of music notation, theory, and composition. The elements of music and music technology will also be studied. Aural (listening) and vocal (singing) skills will be developed through rhythm and melody dictation exercises. The course is designed for serious music students who may be considering a career in music or for students who simply desire to enhance their existing knowledge of music. NOTE: This course is the prerequisite for AP Music Theory.

9829 INDOOR VISUAL ENSEMBLE 0.5 Credit Grades 9-12
(prerequisite – audition/evaluation by the director)
This course is designed to teach the student about movement through the use of color guard pageantry and choreography. This is a hands-on course that will require all students to actively participate in the class. Students will be exposed to demonstrations, lectures, choreography, blocking, staging and writing their own routines. Students must be a member of the outdoor colorguard to be a member of this class. During the outdoor months, this group performs with the Marching Band. This is a co-curricular course, which means that it has some requirements outside of school hours.

8821 STRING ORCHESTRA 0.5 Credit Grades 9-12
Selected by audition, the String Orchestra class is a select group of string players which serves as the string section of the Coatesville Area Senior Orchestra. Students study a varied repertoire of music from all periods of classical composition with many performances scheduled throughout the year. Attendance at all performances and rehearsals is mandatory. This is a co-curricular course, which means that it has some requirements outside of school hours.