Welcome to the Music Department web page.
The Music Department offers courses which provide a variety of experiences for all abilities and musical backgrounds. These courses are designed for students who wish to pursue music as a hobby as well as those planning a career in music. Some of the courses are open to all students; others require a placement audition. The list below contains descriptions of all available music courses.
MUSIC
151 – Concert Winds – 1 Credit/ Level 2/ Full year
This course is open to any 9th or 10th grader who successfully completed the previous year in the school band
program. Students who did not receive instruction in the school band program the previous year must pass an
entrance audition to ensure their musical skills are adequate. Students who enroll are required to participate in
activities outside of the school day including occasional evening rehearsals, the concert performances,
Coventry's Memorial Day parade and Graduation.
156 – Symphonic Winds – 1 Credit/ Level 2/ Full year
This course is open to any 11th or 12th grader who wishes to continue their high school band experience at a
more advanced level. Students who did not receive instruction in the high school band program the previous year must pass an
entrance audition to ensure their musical skills are adequate. Students who enroll are required to participate in
activities outside of the school day including occasional evening rehearsals, concert performances,
Coventry's Memorial Day parade and graduation.
141 – Percussion Class – 1 Credit/ Level 2/ Full Year
All percussionists (Grades 9-12) must register for this class. The curriculum is the same as the Winds classes;
however, this class will give percussionists the opportunity to develop their unique skill set with other
percussionists. The chamber music portion of the class will be dedicated to standard classical percussion
ensemble repertoire. Using the National Standards of Music Education to inform the learning process, the
students will engage the music through a truly comprehensive approach. Musical opportunities include large
ensemble repertoire, chamber and solo repertoire, as well as unique ensembles such as the Pit for Spring
Musicals and Pep Bands for Athletic Events. Required extra-curricular activities are included such as
occasional night rehearsals, Concert Performances, Coventry's Memorial Day Parade, and Graduation.
157 – Jazz Band – .25 Credit/ Level 3/ Full year
Prerequisite: Student must be enrolled in Concert Winds, Symphonic Winds, Percussion Class, or have special permission to audition.
Instrumental students must audition for this ensemble. It will meet one evening per week for 2 hours.
150 – Cantata Choir – 1 Credit/ Level 2/ Full year
This course is open to any 9th or 10th grader. This is a vocal ensemble where emphasis is placed on beginning
vocal skills, sight-reading and learning moderately easy to moderately difficult choral literature. Repertoire will
include 2 to 4 part-singing of a wide range of styles and periods. Students who enroll are required to participate
in all activities outside of the school day including evening rehearsals, the winter concert, the choral cabaret, the
spring concert and graduation.
154 – Concert Choir – 1 Credit/ Level 2/full year
This course is open to any 11th or 12th grader who would like to continue chorus at a more advanced level. The
student must show that they can produce good tone quality and perform well in a vocal ensemble. The
repertoire consists of literature from all periods and styles and will be in 3 to 5 parts. The music will be
moderate to difficult. Students who enroll are required to participate in all activities outside of the school day
including evening rehearsals, the winter concert, the choral cabaret, the spring concert and graduation.
160 – Select Chorus – 1Credit/ Level 2/ Full year-1 year
This course is designed for vocalists seeking to explore more advanced choral literature in a wider variety of
styles and periods including a cappella and jazz singing. Students are selected for this course on the basis of
audition.
144 - Music Appreciation - .50 Credit/ Level 2/ Semester
Music Appreciation is designed to give students the tools by which to answer the question “What is Music?”
Focusing on historical and cultural developments of music, basic analysis of the simplest elements of music,
and an overview of scientific principle at play including acoustics and psychoacoustics; students will be
encouraged to articulate their thoughts and reactions to both familiar and unfamiliar music. Utilizing both
popular styles and “Art Music” the class culminates in the presentation of pieces that are significant to the
students.
159 – Music Theory – .50 Credit/ Level 2/ Semester
Through this course, students will develop an understanding of the elements and structure of music through the
study of scales, intervals, chords, harmonization, rhythmic and melodic dictation and basic composition.
162 – History of American Music – .50 Credit/ Level 2/ Semester
This course will chronicle the history of our nation through music. The focus will be on innovative American
composers who borrowed from the music of the past and from music of other cultures to create songs that truly
reflect our American heritage. The units will trace Americans’ responses, through music, to significant events
from the American Revolution to the present.
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