Somerset Hills School District

New Jersey Student Learning - Standards Visual and Performing Arts

The Bedwell Elementary School offers a comprehensive music program for K-4 students. Singing, playing a wide variety of musical instruments, learning to appreciate music from many cultures, and music performance are key components of our music education. The Bedwell School music program provides a foundation for a life-long enjoyment of music. Many students in Grades 4 elect to participate in the optional Instrumental Music program which offers before-school classes in Chorus, Orchestra and Band. 

The Bernardsville Middle School Performing Arts program is designed to provide students at all grade levels with practical knowledge, problem solving skills, and experiences to enhance their worlds. Creativity, imagination, and self-confidence are encouraged, promoted, and refined in every offering, as BMS recognizes that middle school youth benefit from a broad base of experiential learning.

BMS Band

Band is a full-year course open to any 5-8th grade student that offers students the opportunity to experience making music with a musical instrument. Attention is given to developing individual proficiency and expanding the student’s repertoire of musical competence from beginning to advanced levels. More advanced reading of musical notation is taught along with higher technical skills and playing requirements. As with all musical programs, students are strongly encouraged to develop their personal skills and proficiencies through independent practice at home. 

BMS Chorus

Chorus is a full-year course open to any 5-8th grade student. Over a four-year period, students will learn to develop their singing voices, to appreciate music and to cope with their changing voices. Students will also develop an interest in a rich variety of music while developing self-confidence as a performer.

BMS Orchestra

Orchestra is a full-year course open to any 5-8th grade student that offers students the opportunity to experience making music with a musical instrument. Attention is given to developing individual proficiency and expanding the student’s repertoire of musical competence from beginning to advanced levels. More advanced reading of musical notation is taught along with higher technical skills and playing requirements. As with all musical programs, students are strongly encouraged to develop their personal skills and proficiencies through independent practice at home.

 

BHS Performing Arts 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 classes in music and theater. The programs are designed  to encourage skill and to provide cultural enrichment and appreciation. 

CHORUS  

Chorus is available to students in grades 9 through 12. It is designed to increase each singer's knowledge and enjoyment of all forms of  music and guide their development as an independent vocalist. The chorus performs as part of the winter and spring concerts and at  competitions during the spring. 

CONCERT CHOIR  

Bernards High School Concert Choir is an auditioned group of high school students, grades 9 through 12. Objectives of the choir are:  to give the student an advanced background in choral singing and vocal production; to offer representative works of the finest i n choral  literature from the masters; and to provide an in-depth experience in the art of performance. The Concert Choir gives two evening  concerts each year, participates in choral festivals and performs concert tours for additional musical experiences. 

MADRIGALS (H)

The Madrigals (H) consists of an auditioned group of singers at Bernards High School that perform choral music at a very high level.  The ensemble is chosen by audition based on musicianship, scholarship and ensemble balance and students must have previously  demonstrated a high level of focus and passion for music-making on a daily basis. Students in the ensemble 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) gives numerous concerts during the year, performing for  several events including festivals, benefits and competitions. In addition, students are expected to practice their music at home, work  outside of school in regular student-led sectional rehearsals, attend all Concert Choir and Madrigals (H) rehearsals and concerts both  outside and during school hours. 

ORCHESTRA

 

The String Program is available to all string and piano players in grades 9 through 12. The Beginning String Program is available for  students desiring to begin the study of a stringed instrument. After the fall season, woodwind, brass and percussion musicians from the  band program will be selected (by audition) to join the string players in playing orchestral music.

CONCERT BAND

The goals of the concert band include individual musical growth, ensemble development, aesthetic awareness and music performance.  The student accepts the in-school and out-of-school obligations of participation as integral components of their experience in the study  of music. The band program at Bernards High School offers students an advanced level of music making experiences 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. Emphasis is placed on developing technical skill, characteristic tonality, musical sensitivity, ensemble awareness and developing a lifelong love and  appreciation of music. Concert selections are of an intermediate level (level 3 to 3.5) progressing to literature suitable to college and  professional bands (level 4 to 6). 

JAZZ ENSEMBLE (H) 

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 benefits. 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. Sequencing techniques utilizing Sony Acid Pro, Audacity and iTunes  will be studied. Students will leave this course with a basic understanding of recording techniques, sound systems and digital  recording. 

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY II 

This class will explore topics in Music Technology and will concentrate on practical applications. Radio Jingles, Film Scoring, and  Compact Disc 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. 

MUSICIANSHIP AND MUSIC THEORY I

This 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. Students will listen to and analyze monumental works of music, fine-tune their musical listening ability, be able to  read and write music using Western music notation (music theory and literacy), and begin to compose and arrange their own works. 

MUSICIANSHIP AND MUSIC THEORY II 

In this course, 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. 

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.