Visit the Governor Mifflin Music Association website at: www.gmmusic.org

The music program offers students the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of music and music performance in a group setting. Its goals are to make students aesthetically responsive to music.

Listed below are all of the Music classes available to Senior High students:

Band

Band is a one-credit course for the student who studies a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument and includes units of study in concert band and marching band. Topics within each unit of study include: instrumental performance, music theory, history as it applies to music literature and performance, the aesthetics of music, and movement as it applies to interpreting music. This course is open to any student who performs, or wishes to begin study, on one of the above mentioned musical instruments. Public performances, as well as practices outside of the school day are part of this course.

Students who participate in fall athletic activities which receive a maximum of 25 unified points may qualify for an optional exemption from the marching band unit. If an exemption is taken, students will have a study hall for the first quarter, enter the course for the concert band unit in the second, third, and fourth quarters, and receive .75 credits for this course.

Students from this course are selected for the full orchestra and "Statesmen" Jazz Band by audition.

Band/Orchestra, Orchestra

Orchestra is a one-credit course for the student who studies musical instruments of the string family, and includes string orchestra, full orchestra, and class lessons. Topics covered include: string instrumental performance, music theory, and history as it applies to music literature and performance, and the aesthetics of music. Public performance is a regular part of this course.

Band Front

Band Front is a one-half credit course which meets during the first and fourth quarters and concurrently with the marching band. The band front visually interprets the music performed by the marching band through dance, aerobic movement, and the use of props. This course is open to any student who has a strong interest in movement as it relates to music.

Vocal Music

Our choral program is unique in that any student who wishes to participate in vocal music may do so. No audition is required for Concert Choir, New Arrangement or Ambassadors. Auditions for Governors and First Ladies are held in the spring for the following school year.

Concert Choir and Ambassadors activities consist of participation in Holiday, Pops, and Spring concerts and Choral Adjudication. Activities for Governors and First Ladies, and New Arrangement, consist of participation in Holiday, Pops and Spring concerts and appearances at service clubs, churches, hospitals and other community organizations.

AP Music Theory (weighted)

Music Theory is a full-credit course designed for the music student who desires to study music at a more technical level. The class follows close to an advanced placement curriculum much like that of a college freshman theory course. It also prepares the student for the advanced placement test.

The class will explore the aspects of melody, harmony, solfeggio, dictation, composition, form and analysis, notation, progression theory, and orchestration. This course is not intended to teach how to play a musical instrument or how to read music. Students should have a general knowledge on how to sing or play an instrument and know how to read music before enrolling in this course. It is ideal for the student who may want to study music beyond high school or who wants to expand their musical knowledge.

AP Music Theory includes the use of music technology and computer application for the creation of music and development of musical compositions.

Music Appreciation

The Music Appreciation course is a 0.5-credit elective course, designed for the needs of the general student interested in music. Those aspects covered involve basic rudiments of music, study of composers, forms, and philosophical aspects with relation to specific style periods in music history. The course content is designed to give the student a basic understanding and comprehension of aspects which will make music more meaningful in his everyday living. As almost all college curricula include one semester of Introduction of Music or the like, the Music Appreciation course will also aid the prospective college student in giving him a basic background in preparation for such a course. Music Theory and Music Appreciation are offered in alternate years.

Humanities

This study of civilizations through the arts traces the development of human cultures around the world. From ancient times through the present, architecture, literature, music, philosophy, theater, and the visual arts are all explored. Field trips to museums and performances are an integral part of the class.

Music Technology

Music Technology is a .5 credit course that can be paired with Music Appreciation. The class will explore aspects of melody, harmony, dictation, basic composition software and computer application. A general understanding of music and note reading is helpful but not a prerequisite for the course.