Music

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” 

Plato

 

Requirement for Graduation: History of Music - This class covers the history of Western Classical tradition of music from its earliest origins to the present day. Beginning with early experiments in music notation and Hildegard von Bingen (1098–1179) and ranging up to modern “classical” scores used in films and video games, this course focuses on how the social, cultural and political movements throughout history create, change and inspire the development of artistic and musical expression.

 

Music Theory is an introduction to reading and writing music. This course is designed for students who wish to learn the language of music and how to create basic compositions for solo instruments, piano and voice.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

The history of the Western Classical tradition of music from its earliest beginnings to the present day. Beginning with the early experiments in music notation and Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) and ranging up to modern "classical" scores used in films and video games, the course focuses on how the social, cultural, and political movements throughout history created change and inspire the development of artistic and musical expression.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

The Select Choir is for students interested in improving overall music knowledge, singing in a group setting, and harmonizing skills. Students will learn choral music from various eras, study elements of music history, and delve into components of music theory, including solfege, chromatic scale singing, and music memorization. All students must perform at the Winter and Spring Concerts.

This course was designed for students who have a passion for music and wish to express themselves musically. Students create portfolios of compositions over the course of the year based on a specific chosen area of focus: Song Cycle (poetry set to music), Small Ensembles (string quartet, wind quintet, etc.), Orchestration (piano music arranged for orchestra), Soundtracks (music as enhancement of action), or some combination of all of the above. The only prerequisite for this course is that the student can read music fluently.

Optional weekly music lessons in voice and a wide variety of instruments (see below) are available through the school for an extra cost and are taught on the premises by award winning professional music masters.

  • Voice

  • Clarinet

  • Percussion

  • Trumpet

  • Bass

  • Flute

  • Guitar

  • Piano

  • Cello

  • Saxophone

  • Bass

  • Violin 

Open to all upper school instrumental and voice students passionate about music who are interested in creating a collaborative ensemble, while learning to improve individual strengths. Students will focus on music performance, principles of improvisational music, music theory fundamentals, with possible lessons on the history of Jazz Music. A brief interview with instructors prior to the beginning of first trimester is required. Ability to read music is not required. The course will be co-taught by two Hudson School Music Professionals.