BAND I

Eligible Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Pre-Requisite(s): None

This course introduces the elements of Instrumental music playing: pedagogy, intonation, ensemble sound, and basic music theory. Students enrolled in this class should have at least 1 year of experience on their instrument.

BAND II

Eligible Grade(s): 10, 11, 12

Pre-Requisite(s): Band I

This course introduces the elements of Instrumental music playing: pedagogy, intonation, ensemble sound, and basic music theory.

BAND III

Eligible Grade(s): 11, 12

Pre-Requisite(s): Band II

This course builds upon the elements of Instrumental music playing: pedagogy, intonation, ensemble sound, and basic music theory.

BAND IV

Eligible Grade(s): 12

Pre-Requisite(s): Band III

This course builds upon the elements of Instrumental music playing: pedagogy, intonation, ensemble sound, and basic music theory.

HONORS BAND

Eligible Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Pre-Requisite(s): Audition Only

Students in this course are enrolled by audition only. This class is Bayonne High School’s Wind Ensemble and is focused on playing intermediate-advanced level music. This class allows students with prior instrumental experience and music literacy skills to be placed in upper level course. Students who audition for the program must demonstrate a basic understanding of how to read and play music, scales, and sight-read at their grade level.

CHOIR I

Eligible Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Pre-Requisite(s): None

This course is open to students without previous musical and or vocal training or experience. Students study easy and moderately easy choral repertoire while introducing the elements of choral singing: breath, vowel/tone production, ear training, and basic music-theory fundamentals.

CHOIR II

Eligible Grade(s): 10, 11, 12

Pre-Requisite(s): Choir I

This continuation of Choir I continues to deepen student understanding and mastery of the elements of choral singing.

CHOIR III

Eligible Grade(s): 11, 12

Pre-Requisite(s): Choir II

This upperclassmen course continues to deepen student understanding and mastery of the elements of choral singing.

CHOIR IV

Eligible Grade(s): 12

Pre-Requisite(s): Choir III

This continuation of Choir III, offered to Seniors at BHS continues to deepen student understanding and mastery of the elements of choral singing.

HONORS CHOIR

Eligible Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Pre-Requisite(s): Audition Only

Students in this course are enrolled by audition only. This class is Bayonne High School’s Honors Choir and is focused on intermediate-advanced level vocal technique.

GUITAR I

Eligible Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Pre-Requisite(s): None

This course is a performance based Classical guitar course for the beginner. Students will learn to read standard music notation and play repertoire using classical guitar/fingerstyle technique. Although students will learn tools and techniques that can be applied to playing any style of music, this is not a pop/rock guitar class.

GUITAR II

Eligible Grade(s): 10, 11, 12

Pre-Requisite(s): Guitar I / Ability To Read Sheet Music

This course is an intermediate level performance based class. Students will further their understanding of music literacy, classical guitar technique, classical music history and repertoire. Students must participate in BHS Guitar Ensemble, which requires after school participation and school, community and festival performances.

GUITAR II

Eligible Grade(s): 10, 11, 12

Pre-Requisite(s): Guitar I / Ability To Read Sheet Music

This course is an intermediate level performance based class. Students will further their understanding of music literacy, classical guitar technique, classical music history and repertoire. Students must participate in BHS Guitar Ensemble, which requires after school participation and school, community and festival performances.

GUITAR IV

Eligible Grade(s): 12

Pre-Requisite(s): Guitar II & III / Ability To Read Sheet Music / Department Recommendation

This is an advanced level performance based class. Students focus on performance technique, solo/ensemble repertoire, advanced music literacy, and history. Students can also plan and prepare college auditions as part of class. Students must participate in BHS Guitar Ensemble, which requires after school participation and school, community, and festival performances.

HONORS GUITAR

Eligible Grade(s): 9

Pre-Requisite(s): By Audition

The Honors Guitar program provides the opportunity to study classical guitar technique, repertoire, advanced music literacy, and music history. Students will develop the skills to perform as a soloist and participate in the award winning BHS Guitar Ensemble and BHS Honors Guitar Ensemble. Students will also receive one on one instruction.

Performance opportunities include school recitals, community performances, adjudicated music festivals, collaboration with local university music departments, NJMEA All State Guitar Ensemble, and the NAfME All National Guitar Ensemble.

This program will provide students with the opportunity to develop their musicianship in a creative, engaging, and challenging environment.

Contact Vin Downes at vdownes@bboed.org for audition requirements.

PIANO I

Eligible Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Pre-Requisite(s): Ability To Read Sheet Music

This course teaches students how to read and play in both treble and bass clefs. Students are able to play block and broken chords. C, G, F, D, A and E hand positions as well as playing sharps and flat key signatures.

PIANO II

Eligible Grade(s): 10, 11, 12

Pre-Requisite(s): Piano I / Department Recommendation

This course continues the skills that are introduced in piano I and introduces various styles to play on the piano including, boogie woogie, jazz, classical and pop.

PIANO III

Eligible Grade(s): 11, 12

Pre-Requisite(s): Piano II / Department Recommendation

This course continues the skills that are introduced in piano I & II and introduces various styles to play on the piano including, boogie woogie, jazz, classical and pop.

Eligible Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Pre-Requisite(s): By Audition

For advanced instrumental music studies in the jazz/popular music genre. Topics of study include: large ensemble “big band” repertoire, performance practice, jazz theory/ improvisation and jazz history. Students will also perform throughout the school year in competitive and non- competitive atmospheres.

*This course is offered during Zero Period.

Eligible Grade(s): 10, 11, 12

Pre-Requisite(s): None

This course introduces students to the creation of music via online platforms. They also learn about the development of electronic instruments, the physics of sound, sound systems for live application and recording studio applications, microphones, speakers, sound synthesis and digital recording and music creation. Students learn to create music electronically via online platforms.

Eligible Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Pre-Requisite(s): Prior Experience With Musical Instrument/Voice / Teacher Recommendation

This class is designed to give students a basic understanding of music history and to inspire an appreciation for music from a variety of genres and cultures. This course is offered to any student and introduces the aspiring musician to the basic
elements of music theory; notion, rhythm/meter harmony, scales, key-signatures, basic singing techniques, basic piano skill, ear-training, and composition/arranging. All students who plan to continue with any music classes-instrumental or vocal-mist take this class within two years of music classes. This course will prepare students for AP Music Theory.

Eligible Grade(s): 10, 11, 12

Pre-Requisite(s): Teacher Recommendation

This course corresponds to two semesters of a typical introductory college music theory course covering topics such as musicianship, theory, musical materials, and procedures. Students develop the ability to recognize, understand, and describe basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. Development of aural skills is a primary objective. Students understand basic concepts and terminology by listening to and performing a wide variety of music. This course is Part II of Music Fundamentals with a more vigorous and advanced approach to ear training, sight singing and theory. Students are prepared to take the annual music theory test each May.

*Students enrolled in AP Music Theory will participate in the AP Music Theory Exam.
** AP Contract required.