BEDWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The Bedwell Elementary School offers a comprehensive music program for K-4 students. The Bedwell School music program provides a foundation for a life-long enjoyment of music. Singing, playing a variety of musical instruments, music theory, dancing, music appreciation and music performance are key components of our music education.
Students are also offered the opportunity to participate in a performance based before-school music program. Third Grade students may participate in Chorus & Orchestra and Fourth Grade students may additionally participate in Band. Information for grade level classes (2-4) as well as the performance groups have information, homework and helpful links posted on their respective Google Classroom pages.
BERNARDSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Bernardsville Middle School Performing Arts Department is an integral component of the school's educational framework. This program is designed with the primary objective of nurturing students' artistic and creative talents, while also fostering valuable life skills and experiences that will contribute to their personal and academic growth.
BMS Band
Band at Bernardsville Middle School is a year-long course open to all students in grades 5 through 8. This immersive program provides students with a unique opportunity to explore the world of music through instrumental expression
Over the course of their middle school years, students explore their chosen instruments and learn to master the intricacies of their instruments. As students progress through the Band program, they are exposed to an ever-expanding repertoire of musical pieces. Students are exposed to a wide range of musical genres and complexity levels, ensuring that students experience both challenge and growth. Students are introduced to more advanced levels of reading and interpreting sheet music. Students are guided towards higher technical proficiency and playing requirements as they progress through the Band program. This includes mastering advanced techniques specific to their chosen instruments. Students are strongly encouraged to take their instruments home where they can reinforce and hone their proficiencies through independent practice. This self-discipline not only enhances their musical abilities but also instills a sense of responsibility and dedication that extends to other areas of their academic and personal lives.
BMS Jazz Ensemble
The BMS Jazz Ensemble provides a variety of technical and performance experiences for the instrumental music student. The ensemble is introduced to a variety of jazz styles including but not limited to blues, big band, rock, and latin. The BMS Jazz Ensemble performs at seasonal concerts, fundraisers, and festivals. Through active participation, each member develops their technical skill within a foundational study which leads to an advanced level of musicianship. Students are expected to practice their music at home, attend all weekly after-school rehearsals.
BMS Chorus
The Chorus course at Bernardsville Middle School is a comprehensive, full-year program that welcomes students in grades 5 through 8. This engaging and enriching curriculum offers a transformative experience for young learners, focusing on the development of their vocal abilities, fostering an appreciation for music, and aiding students in adapting to the unique challenges presented by their changing voices during their middle school years. Over the four-year span of this program, students will embark on a remarkable exploration of their singing voices. Students are introduced to a diverse tapestry of musical genres and styles. They explore the classics, contemporary hits, and culturally diverse pieces. They also gain insight into the historical and cultural contexts that shape music, fostering a holistic understanding of the art form. Middle school is a time of significant physical and emotional change. For students, this often includes the transitional phase of changing voices. In Chorus, students receive specialized guidance to navigate this natural development. Chorus is also a platform for building self-confidence. As students rehearse and perform together, they develop a profound sense of self-assuredness as performers.
BMS Orchestra
Orchestra at Bernardsville Middle School is a year-long course open to all students in grades 5 through 8. This immersive program provides students with a unique opportunity to explore the world of music through instrumental expression.
Over the course of their middle school years, students learn to master the intricacies of their instruments, as they are exposed to an ever-expanding repertoire of musical pieces. Students are introduced to more advanced levels of reading and interpreting sheet music, which leads to higher technical proficiency and musicianship. Students are strongly encouraged to take their instruments home where they can reinforce and hone their proficiencies through independent practice. This self-discipline not only enhances their musical abilities but also instills a sense of responsibility and dedication that extends to other areas of their academic and personal lives.
BERNARDS HIGH SCHOOL
The Performing Arts at BHS are important to each student's overall education. They provide a distinct and vitally important way in which students learn about themselves and about how that aesthetic, emotional, and kinesthetic self-knowledge fits into the worlds of school-based and lifelong learning. Participation in the Arts can make anyone more curious and more able to take the creative risks essential for success in their careers and their lives. Bernards High School offers Performing Arts courses in Music and Theater. The programs are designed to encourage skill and to provide cultural enrichment and appreciation.
Upon completion of courses in the Performing Arts Department, students will have a clear path to college and university programs that will provide them the education needed for successful careers in the Performing Arts.
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These courses meet the Visual and Performing Arts Requirements which must total 5 Credits
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Chorus (A)
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Concert Choir (A)
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Madrigals (H)
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Orchestra (A or H)
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Concert Band (A)
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Jazz Ensemble (H)
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Music X-ploration (semester)
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Musicianship and Musical Theory I (semester)
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Musicianship and Musical Theory II (semester)
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Music Technology I (semester)
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Music Technology II (semester)
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Theatre Arts I (semester)
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Theatre Arts II (semester)
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Acting Troupe
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Chorus (A)
Chorus (A) is available to students with treble voices (soprano or alto) in their first year of choral music study at BHS. It is designed to increase each singer's knowledge and enjoyment of all forms of choral music and guide their development as an independent vocalist. Chorus (A) performs as part of the winter and spring concerts, PopsNight, and at field trip competitions/adjudications in the spring.
Concert Choir (A)
Concert Choir (A) is an ensemble composed of treble voices (sopranos and altos) in their second through fourth year of choral music study at BHS and lower voices (tenors and basses) in their first through fourth year of choral music study at BHS. Objectives of Concert Choir (A) are to develop and enhance each individual student’s musicianship, vocal technique, sight-singing ability, musicianship skills, and ensemble skills. Students will perform representative works of the finest in choral literature from historical masters as well as contemporary music by living composers. Concert Choir (A) performs as part of the winter and spring concerts, PopsNight, and at field trip competitions/adjudications in the spring. There are often other masterclass or performance opportunities throughout the school year.
Madrigals (H)
Madrigals (H) is the highest level of auditioned ensemble at Bernards High School and is available, by audition, to any student who has completed one year of choral study in Chorus (A) or Concert Choir (A). The ensemble performs advanced choral music at an exceptionally high level and is chosen by audition at the end of the previous school year based on tone quality, intonation, accuracy, musicianship, and ensemble balance. All students must have previously demonstrated a high level of focus and passion for music-making on a daily basis in order to be considered. Students in Madrigals are required to learn and memorize all of the Concert Choir repertoire on their own while learning the more complex and musically demanding Madrigals (H) repertoire that represents all periods and styles of music history. Madrigals (H) performs as part of the winter and spring concerts, PopsNight, at field trip competitions/adjudications in the spring, as well as numerous other concerts throughout the year, performing for several events including festivals, benefits, masterclasses, and competitions. Students in Madrigals (H) are expected to practice their music at home regularly, work outside of school in regular student-led sectional rehearsals, and attend all Concert Choir (A) and Madrigals (H) rehearsals and concerts both outside and during school hours. Prerequisite: one year of either Chorus (A) or Concert Choir (A) plus successful audition.
Orchestra (A)
The String Program is available to all string and piano players in grades 9 through 12. This class is available to all students looking to begin or continue their education in orchestral string instrumental performance. Students should expect to be rehearsing music of varying difficulties and expect to advance their skills and broaden their understanding of classical music. All Orchestra students will participate in at least one Full Orchestra piece in the Spring Program and at Festival Performances.
Orchestra (H)
(audition required)
The Orchestra (H) consists of an auditioned group of instrumentalists that perform orchestral music at a very high level. The auditioned students are selected based on their advanced skills as musicians and scholars. Students must have previously demonstrated a high level of focus and passion for music-making on a daily basis. Students must also demonstrate leadership capabilities and self-reflection on skills being practiced during the rehearsal process. Students in the ensemble are required to learn and memorize all of the Orchestra ensemble repertoires while learning the more complex and musically demanding Orchestra (H) repertoire. Students are expected to practice their music at home, work outside of school in regular student-led sectional rehearsals, and attend all evening Orchestra and Orchestra (H) rehearsals and concerts both outside and during school hours.
Concert Band (A)
Concert Band develops the well rounded, individual musician to be able to perform varying styles of music and rehearse as individuals and as members of a large ensemble. Students are expected to practice performance repertoire, musicianship enhancement materials, and self-reflect on their progress as musicians. Emphasis is placed on developing technical skill, characteristic tonality, musical sensitivity, ensemble awareness and developing a lifelong love and appreciation of music. Students in the program accept all in-school and out-of-school obligations of participation as integral components of their experience in the study of music including other public performances and festival participations. The band program at Bernards High School offers students an advanced level of music making experience through a highly structured sequential training program. All members of the class are encouraged to participate in Marching Band as an integral part of the total Band experience. Upon graduation, students are prepared for membership in college level ensembles.
Jazz Ensemble (H)
(audition required)
Jazz Ensemble (H) provides a variety of technical and performance experiences for the instrumental music student. Jazz Ensemble (H) explores a variety of jazz styles from the 1920’s through current compositions including blues, be-bop, post-bop, 1940’s big band, 1950’s cool jazz, 1960’s progressive jazz, 1980’s and 90’s big band composers and current compositions. Jazz Ensemble (H) gives numerous concerts during the year, playing for several events such as festivals and other public participations. Through active participation, each member develops his/her technical skill within a foundational study which leads to an advanced level of musicianship. Foundational study includes memorization of scales and modes, transcribing jazz solos and studying the styles of various jazz artists. Students also develop a clear understanding of the historical significance of jazz and the important role of that knowledge to their overall growth as a jazz musician, as well as increased mastery of one’s own instrument. In addition, students will write critiques based on a variety of jazz styles and performances. Students in the ensemble are required to learn all of the Concert Band repertoire on their own while learning the more complex and musically demanding jazz repertoire that represents all periods and styles of jazz history. Students are expected to practice their music at home, attend all evening Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble (H) rehearsals and concerts both outside and during school hours.
Music Technology I
This introductory course is open to any student with the desire to learn about the world of Music Technology. Students will become proficient in the use of loops, recording digital audio, and MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface. Sequencing techniques utilizing Garageband and other DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) will be studied. Students will leave this course with a basic understanding of recording techniques, sound systems, digital recording, and music editing.
Music Technology II
This class is open to any student who successfully completed Music Technology I or has previous experience and admission is granted by the teacher. Topics in Music Technology and will concentrate on practical applications such as radio jingles, film scoring, video game scoring, and mp3 production will be some of the topics studied. This course provides students an opportunity to develop their creativity through projects involving recording and editing. Students develop an understanding of the history of sound, microphones, sound systems, and music for film. After successful completion of Music Technology II, students will have a path to a potential career in the music industry. Prerequisite: Music Technology I or teacher’s endorsement.
Music Theory & Musicianship I
This one-semester course provides students an opportunity to learn the basic elements of music through the rules and principles of music as an aural and written language. During the course, students will listen to and analyze monumental works of music, fine-tune their musical listening ability, be able to read and write music notation (literacy), and begin to compose and arrange their own works. Students will focus on philosophy of music, notation of pitch, the piano keyboard, rhythm, simple and compound meter, pitch collections, scales, major keys, minor keys, diatonic modes, and intervals.
Music Theory & Musicianship II
This one-semester course is designed to be a follow-up to Music Theory & Musicianship I, where students build upon the principles learned in Musicianship I and study more complex musical skills and students will continue to study monumental works of music at a more in-depth level. Learning to recognize chord progressions, intervals and instrumentation are taught aurally and through literacy, counterpoint is introduced, recognizing and understanding form and students will compose more complex works. Prerequisite: Music Theory & Musicianship I or teacher’s endorsement.
Music Exploration
Music Exploration is open to all students, but is geared toward those with limited prior instrumental music experience. Serving as an introductory level course, “Music X” teaches students to play the drums, ukulele, and keyboard. These instruments will act as mediums to increase students' musical awareness and give students the musical vocabulary and tools to actively listen to, discuss, and play various styles of music. Students will explore musical concepts, such as Melody, Rhythm, Harmony, Form, Texture, Tempo, and Dynamics while learning basic playing techniques, which include reading music, strumming, tapping, improvising, and basic musicianship. No prior experience in music is necessary for enrollment in this course.
Theater Arts I
Theater is a form that concentrates on the experiences of human beings; their joys, sorrows, hopes, disappointments and relationships with one another. Theater I students will examine theater as a part of daily life, as a way of enhancing knowledge and skills, and as a means of expression. Students will explore the role of the audience, critic, and the production team. The study of theatrical history will show students the progression of this form of communication. Students will develop confidence through individual and group performance activities.
Theater Arts II
Theater II students will examine the role of the playwright and the structure of dramatic literature. Students will continue to develop actor training techniques acquired in Theater Arts I - increasing the development of the powers of observation, concentration, sense memory, and imagination; voice and movement; improvisation.
Acting Troupe
This course is designed for the advanced acting student with serious intention to pursue further training or with a strong interest in acting. Acting Troupe is designed for the student who is ready for college-level honors work. Students will study advanced acting/ directing techniques in objectives, character development, script analysis, and scene study, and upon completion will be prepared for college or pre-professional training. Acting Troupe students will participate in local and regional theater/forensic programs. Students may have the opportunity for public performance and attending professional productions.