Music

Full Year | 1 Credit | Grades 9–12

Symphonic Band is one of two concert bands at the Academy. This course is the sequential path for 8th Grade Band students, but also welcomes students in Grades 9–12. Students study and perform high-quality concert band literature of moderate to advanced difficulty.

By enrolling in this course, students commit to required performances outside of the normal school day. As an integral part of the Academy Music program, each student receives weekly instruction on their instrument. Additional requirements include participation in the Memorial Day Parade and performing a level-appropriate solo at the in-house Solo Festival.

Students also have opportunities to participate in NYSSMA Solo Festival, All-County Band, Area All-State Band, and Conference All-State Bands.

Full Year | 1 Credit | Grades 10–12

Prerequisite: Academy Symphonic Band and/or permission of the instructor; NYSSMA Level IV–VI performance standards.

Wind Ensemble is an audition-only select ensemble and one of two concert bands at the Academy. Students study and perform high-quality concert band literature of advanced difficulty.

By enrolling in this course, students commit to required performances outside of the normal school day. Each student receives weekly instruction on their instrument. Additional requirements include participation in the Memorial Day Parade and performing a level-appropriate solo at the in-house Solo Festival.

Students also have opportunities to participate in NYSSMA Solo Festival, All-County Band, Area All-State Band, and Conference All-State Bands.

Full Year | 0.5 Credit | Grades 9–12

Prerequisite: Current Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, or Chorus member.

Jazz Ensemble is an instrumental ensemble that meets every other day for one period throughout the year. Students perform music of medium to advanced difficulty representing jazz styles such as fusion, jazz, rock, blues, Latin, swing, and funk.

Students are introduced to jazz improvisation and perform at school concerts, events, and community-sponsored activities. By enrolling in this course, students commit to required performances outside of the normal school day.

Full Year | 1 Credit | Grades 9–12

Symphony Orchestra is one of two string orchestras at the Academy. This course is the sequential path for 8th Grade Orchestra students, but also welcomes students in Grades 9–12.

Students study and perform high-quality literature of moderate to advanced difficulty. By enrolling in this course, students commit to required performances outside of the normal school day. Each student receives weekly instruction on their instrument.

Students also have opportunities to participate in All-County, Area All-State, and Conference All-State ensembles.

Full Year | 1 Credit | Grades 10–12

Prerequisite: Academy Symphony Orchestra and/or permission of the instructor; NYSSMA Level IV–VI performance standards.

Chamber Orchestra is an audition-only select ensemble and one of two string orchestras at the Academy. Students study and perform high-quality orchestra literature of advanced difficulty.

By enrolling in this course, students commit to required performances outside of the normal school day. Each student receives weekly instruction on their instrument and has opportunities to participate in All-County, Area All-State, and Conference All-State ensembles.

Full Year | 1 Credit | Grades 9–12

Academy Mixed Chorus is a mixed-grade ensemble that performs high-quality literature. This course is the sequential path for 8th Grade Choir students of the appropriate voice type, while also including students in Grades 9–12.

By enrolling in this course, students commit to required performances outside of the normal school day. Each student receives a weekly small-group voice lesson.

Students have opportunities to participate in NYSSMA events, including Solo Festival, All-County Chorus, Area All-State Chorus, Conference All-State Chorus, and other select choirs.

Full Year | 1 Credit | Grades 10–12

Treble Choir is an audition- and recommendation-based choir that performs advanced treble choir music. Students study and perform high-quality literature of moderate to advanced difficulty.

By enrolling in this course, students commit to required performances outside of the normal school day. Each student receives a weekly small-group voice lesson.

Students have opportunities to participate in NYSSMA events, including Solo Festival, All-County Chorus, Area All-State Chorus, and Conference All-State Chorus.

Half Year Each | 0.5 Credit | Grades 9–12

Alternates years with Music Theory I and II.

This course is designed for all students and has no prerequisite. Students explore the structure and cultural significance of music through listening, creating, and performing.

Music of various styles is used to introduce the basic elements of music, including rhythm, melody, texture, and form. Through technology and harmonizing instruments such as keyboard, guitar, and ukulele, students develop basic skills in reading music notation, performance, and composition.

No previous musical experience is required. This course fulfills 0.5 of the 1.0 Art/Music graduation requirement.

Half Year Each | 0.5 Credit | Grades 9–12

Alternates years with CA Music Lab.

Prerequisite for Music Theory II: Completion of Music Theory I or Music Staff approval.

Music Theory I: This course is appropriate for students with no or very limited musical knowledge. Students develop basic reading skills involving all clefs, major and minor keys, time signatures and rhythms, harmonic analysis, melody harmonization, sight singing, and melodic dictation.

Music Theory II: Students explore music composition in greater detail, including form, texture, counterpoint, harmony, and melodic development. Students also become familiar with technology used in music composition and production, including recording equipment, sequencing tools, and music editing and notation software.

This course fulfills 0.5 of the 1.0 Art/Music graduation requirement.

Half Year | 0.5 Credit | Grades 9–12

Modern Band teaches students to play keyboard, guitar, bass, and drums in genres such as rock, pop, Latin, rap, R&B, and country.

Students learn to play, perform, improvise, and compose using popular music as a guide, with opportunities to select their own favorite songs. Evening concert performance opportunities are available but not required.

No previous experience or instrument purchase is required. This course fulfills 0.5 of the 1.0 Art/Music graduation requirement.

Full Year | 1 Credit | Grades 10–12

Prerequisite: Recommendation from a music teacher.

Studio Orchestra explores film scores, contemporary music, and alternative orchestral styles. Students have opportunities to collaborate, perform, and explore diverse genres beyond traditional repertoire.

Open to wind, brass, percussion, and string players, the course emphasizes creativity, teamwork, and musicianship through rehearsals, performances, and workshops with guest artists. Students develop technical skills while learning about orchestration and arrangement for soundtracks and alternative music.

Performances include concerts throughout the year. Enrollment is open to students with prior ensemble experience or by audition.