Music
GRADE 8 MUSIC COURSES
CHORAL MUSIC: CONCERT CHOIR 8
No Prerequisite: Previous music experience is preferred, but not required.
Choir is a linear course meeting once to twice a week after school as the 9th course. Students will be introduced to healthy singing techniques, vocal projection, solfege syllables, performance etiquette and basic understanding of music notation. Various musical styles will be explored across genres and styles from the Renaissance to modern pop music. This is a performance-based course. Regular attendance to rehearsals, active and engaged participation are an integral part of course work. Based on teacher’s digression, students may have the opportunity to perform outside of school, e.g. community events, festivals, adjudicated performances, and overnight choir trips.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: JUNIOR CONCERT BAND 8
No Prerequisite: Elementary Band experience is recommended, but not required.
This course is open to all grade 8 students who want to learn and develop instrumental skills and musicianship while performing in an ensemble. Students will have the opportunity to practice imaginative play, creative expressions, and teamwork skills, while performing a variety of musical styles from traditional band marches, dance, jazz, and contemporary music. Regular home practicing and attendance at performances are mandatory for success in this course.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: INTERMEDIATE CONCERT BAND 8
Prerequisite: Minimum 2 years of instrumental band experience is strongly recommended.
This course is for students who have previous instrumental skills and can perform music in more than 2 keys. Students will develop ensemble and teamwork skills, while advancing on instrumental skills. Course curriculum also includes technique building, music literacy, critical listening, and self-reflection after performance. Students will perform music across various genres from traditional concert marches to movie themed popular music. This is a performance-based course that requires regular home practicing. Attendance to all performances is required and a big part of the course work. Students may have the opportunity to perform outside of school, including adjudicated performances in local, provincial, and national festivals.
GRADE 9/10 MUSIC COURSES
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: BEGINNING BAND 9/10
No Prerequisite: Previous band experience is recommended, but not required.
This course is open to all grade 9 students who want to learn or continue to develop musicianship and instrumental skills in a band ensemble. Students will have the opportunity to practice imaginative play, creative expressions, and teamwork skills, while learning to perform a variety of musical styles. This is a performance-based course. Regular home practicing and attendance at performances are necessary for success in this course.
CHORAL MUSIC: CONCERT CHOIR 9/10
No Prerequisite: Previous music experience is preferred, but not required.
Choir is a linear course meeting once to twice a week after school as the 9th course. Students will be introduced to healthy singing techniques, vocal projection, solfege syllables, performance etiquette and basic understanding of music notation. Various musical styles will be explored across genres and styles from the Renaissance to modern pop music. This is a performance-based course. Regular attendance to rehearsals, active and engaged participation are an integral part of course work. Based on teacher’s digression, students may have the opportunity to perform outside of school, e.g. community events, festivals, adjudicated performances, and overnight choir trips.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: GUITAR 9/10
No Prerequisite
This is a beginning music course that is open to students with no or minimal guitar skills. Guitar players who wish to improve on technical abilities, understanding of music notation and theory are welcome. Included in this course are an introduction to music notation, basic theory, guitar chords and strumming patterns, finger-picking skills, rhythm and blues, tab-notation, ear-training, song analysis, and composition. Students will have opportunities to perform in class, work independently, with partners and in small groups. Guitars are provided at the school. However, owning a guitar is recommended for home practicing. Advanced guitar players have the option of working on their own guitar inquiry projects.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: INTERMEDIATE BAND 9/10
Prerequisite: Minimum 2 years of instrumental band experience is strongly recommended.
This course is for students with previous band experience who wishes to advance in their musical skills in an ensemble. There will be continued development in musicianship, instrumental skills, ensemble listening, advancing technique and musicality. Course curriculum also includes technique building, music literacy, critical listening, and self-reflection after performance. Students will perform music across various genres from traditional concert marches to movie themed popular music. This is a performance-based course that requires regular home practicing. Attendance to all performances is required and a big part of the course work. Students may have the opportunity to perform outside of school, including adjudicated performances in local, provincial, and national festivals.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: SENIOR CONCERT BAND 10
Prerequisite: Instrumental Music: Concert Band 9 and above, or minimum 4 years of instrumental band experience.
This course is for students with previous band experience, minimum 4 years, who wishes to advance their instrumental skills and musician professionalism. There will be continued advancement in technique, ear-training, ensemble listening skills, as well as creating artistic meaning through articulation, phrasing and expressions. Students will learn band repertoire in various genres: from traditional marches to modern day and popular or movie themed music. Since this is a performance-based course, regular home practice and attendance at performances are crucial part of the course work. Students in this group will likely perform outside of the school, including participation at festivals, competitions, and adjudicated performances in local, provincial, and national-wide festivals.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: JAZZ BAND 9/10
Prerequisite: Concert Band 8/9 or by teacher recommendation.
This course is for students who have minimum 3 years of experience playing on their instrument and is ready to take their musicality to the next level. Students will learn to interpret standard jazz literature and style, and introduce to simple improvisation (solos). As Jazz Band is offered through the RVS school, active participation on the course Moodle site, regular practice, and attendance to all in person rehearsals are crucial part of the course work. Students in this group will likely perform outside of school in festivals, competitions, adjudicated performances.
GRADE 11 - 12 COURSES
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: BEGINNING BAND 11/12
No Prerequisite
This course is open to students who want to learn to play a band instrument. The students will be able to join other band courses after completing this course. Please speak with Ms. Chan if you have questions.
CHORAL MUSIC: CONCERT CHOIR 11/ 12
No Prerequisite: Previous music experience is preferred, but not required.
Choir is a linear course meeting once to twice a week after school as the 9th course. Students will be introduced to healthy singing techniques, vocal projection, solfege syllables, performance etiquette and basic understanding of music notation. Various musical styles will be explored across genres and styles from the Renaissance to modern pop music. This is a performance-based course. Regular attendance to rehearsals, active and engaged participation are an integral part of course work. Based on teacher’s digression, students may have the opportunity to perform outside of school, e.g. community events, festivals, adjudicated performances, and overnight choir trips.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: GUITAR 11/12
No Prerequisite
This is a beginning music course that is open to students with no or minimal guitar skills. Guitar players who wish to improve on technical abilities, understanding of music notation and theory are welcome. Included in this course are an introduction to music notation, basic theory, guitar chords and strumming patterns, finger-picking skills, rhythm and blues, tab-notation, ear-training, song analysis, and composition. Students will have opportunities to perform in class, work independently, with partners and in small groups. Guitars are provided at the school. However, owning a guitar is recommended for home practicing. Advanced guitar players have the option of working on their own guitar inquiry projects.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: INTERMEDIATE BAND 11/12
Prerequisite: Minimum 1 year of instrumental band experience.
This course is for students with previous band experience who wishes to advance in their musical skills in an ensemble. There will be continued development in musicianship, instrumental skills, ensemble listening, advancing technique and musicality. Course curriculum also includes technique building, music literacy, critical listening, and self-reflection after performance. Students will perform music across various genres from traditional concert marches to movie themed popular music. This is a performance-based course that requires regular home practicing. Attendance to all performances is required and a big part of the course work. Students may have the opportunity to perform outside of school, including adjudicated performances in local, provincial, and national festivals.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: SENIOR CONCERT BAND 11/12
Prerequisite: Concert Band 9/10 or minimum of 4 years of instrumental band experience.
This course is for students with previous band experience, minimum 4 years, who wishes to advance their instrumental skills and musician professionalism. There will be continued advancement in technique, ear-training, ensemble listening skills, as well as creating artistic meaning through musicality and expressions. Students will learn band repertoire in various genres: from traditional marches to movie theme and popular music. Since this is a performance-based course, regular home practice and attendance at performances are crucial part of the course work. Depending on the year, this ensemble may participate at festivals and competitions, adjudicated performances in local, provincial, and national-wide festivals.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC: JAZZ BAND 11/12
Prerequisite: Junior Jazz Band or by teacher recommendation only.
The Jazz Band is a “show band” that runs linear and outside of timetable as the 9th course. This course is for dedicated musicians who have minimum 3 years of experience playing on their instruments and are ready to take their music journey to the next level! Students will learn to interpret jazz literature, style, and work on improvisation solos in class and in performances. As Jazz Band is offered through the RVS school, active participation on the course Moodle site, regular practice, and attendance to all in person rehearsals are crucial part of the course work. Students in this group will likely perform outside of school in festivals, competitions, adjudicated performances.
COMPOSITION & PRODUCTION 11/12
Prerequisite: For students who are already creating music. This course can also be taken as a self-directed study (IDS course).
This course provides school credits for students who are already actively creating music and are seeking mentorship with their works. Study topics such as melody writing, harmony, orchestration, ear-training and arranging. This course focuses on growth as a composer and producer, creating music with increasing complexity of texture. Students will have the opportunity to work in the electronic music field. Equipment needed include a computer device and a music production program application.