Parkway North Music Department Curriculum
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SYMPHONIC BAND (Honors Option) – Symphonic band consists of students who have achieved an advanced level of performance through their previous instrumental music experiences. This group offers the student many performance opportunities. During the first quarter, the members of the Symphonic Band are automatically included in the Marching Band which performs at home football games, parades and other extracurricular activities. The Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band performs music of the highest quality from all historic periods stressing tone production, musicianship and interpretation of various styles. Members of these groups are eligible to audition and participate with the orchestra, the jazz band and various small ensembles. Attendance is required for all performances and special rehearsals. Juniors and Seniors only may earn an honors grade.
MARCHING BAND – During the first quarter, the members of Wind Ensemble/Symphonic Band are automatically included in the Marching Band which performs at home football games, parades, competitions and other extracurricular activities. Attendance is required for all performances and special rehearsals. A fee may be required to pay for optional trips and other program expenses.
CONCERT BAND – Concert Band consists of students who have had previous instrumental experience. Basic fundamentals of music, interpretation of performance styles and musicianship are emphasized. Several concerts are presented each year. Members of the groups are eligible and participate with various other music ensembles. Attendance is required for all performances.
JAZZ BAND – Jazz Ensemble is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to develop large group jazz performance skills, with a secondary emphasis on jazz improvisation. Jazz Ensemble is a select instrumental group. Member will be chose from the Wind Ensemble/Symphonic Band. Bass, piano and guitar players are encouraged to contact the instructor to determine if they qualify prior to enrollment. Attendance is required for all performances and special rehearsals.
[Back to Top]CHORUS – The Chorus is open to anyone who enjoys singing. No previous singing experience is required. The class enables you to improve your singing skills with emphasis on the understanding and enjoyment of music. Various concerts are presents throughout the year. Attendance is required for all performances and special rehearsals. Uniform attire is required.
CONCERT CHORALE – The Concert Chorale is a performing ensemble selected by individual audition. Designed for students with previous singing experience, this class emphasizes the improvement of vocal production, music reading skills and general musicianship. Chorale members perform in several concerts and have the opportunity to participate in the St. Louis Suburban Choirs and festival for solos and ensembles. If enrollment warrants, the choir may be divided into separate sections. Attendance is required for all performances and special rehearsals. Uniform attire is required.
CHAMBER CHOIR (Honors Option) – The Chamber Choir is a small, select performing ensemble. Emphasis is placed on the improvement of vocal production, music reading skills and general musicianship through the study of advanced choral literature and techniques. Choir members perform in several concerts and have the opportunity to participate in the St. Louis Suburban Choir and festival for solos and ensembles. If enrollment warrants, the choir may be divided into separate sections. Attendance is required for all performances and special rehearsals. Uniform attire is required. An honors grade my be earned (Sophomores only).
JAZZ Choir – Jazz/Choir is a small select ensemble which specializes in the performance of popular styles of vocal music. For the audition, considerations will include vocal style, movement and stage presence. Many performances are given off-campus, which require time in addition to normal class work. Attendance is required for all performances and special rehearsals. Uniform attire is required.
CONCERT CHOIR-MIXED (Honors Option) – The Concert Choir is a major performing ensemble chosen by individual audition. Emphasis is placed on singing skills, musicianship and an understanding of choral literature. Choir members perform in several concerts with other ensembles, participate in competitions and festivals and present off-campus concerts. Students who sing in this choir are eligible to audition for the Missouri All-State Choir, the Missouri Honors Choir and the St. Louis Suburban Choir. Attendance is required for all performances and special rehearsals. Uniform attire is required. An honors grade my be earned.
CONCERT CHOIR TREBLE (Honors Option) – The Concert Choir is a major performing ensemble chosen by individual audition. Emphasis is placed on singing skills, musicianship, and an understanding of choral literature. Choir members perform in several concerts with other ensembles, participate in competitions and festivals and present off-campus concerts. Students who sing in this choir are eligible to audition for the Missouri All-State Choir, the Missouri Honors Choir and the St. Louis Suburban Choir. Attendance is required for all performances and special rehearasals. Uniform attire is required. An honors grade may be earned.
MEN'S CHORUS – This chorus is open to any male who enjoys singing. No previous singing experience is required. The class enables you to improve your singing skills with emphasis on performance and understanding the enjoyment of music. Various concerts are presented throughout the year. Attendance is required for all performances and special rehearsals. Uniform attire is required.
[Back to Top]SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA (Honors option) – Symphonic Orchestra is the most advanced school orchestra and one of the major performing ensembles representing the school. Membership is based on a high level of string instrument playing ability, prior orchestral experience, sight reading skills and overall ensemble skills. Students will be selected by audition only. Members will be added to maintain a balanced orchestral instrumentation. Brass, woodwind and percussion students enrolled in Symphonic Band are selected for full orchestra experiences. The ensemble will study and perform repertoire chosen from a wide variety of all historical periods stressing tone quality, musicianship and interpretation of various styles. This group offers the student many performance opportunities at school, off-campus and at festivals. Members of Symphonic Orchestra are eligible to audition for such honor groups as All-Suburban Orchestra and All-State Orchestra as well as various small ensembles. Attendance is required for all performances and special rehearsals. An honors grade my be earned (Juniors and Seniors only).
CONCERT ORCHESTRA – Concert Orchestra gives the student an opportunity to use special talent for group musical expression. Skills taught include advanced bowing technique, left-hand technique including high position patterns, ensemble playing, improved sight-reading ability, advanced knowledge of style and musical interpretation and performance of standard orchestral literature from classical to popular music. Attendance is required for all performances and special rehearsals.
CONCERT ORCHESTRA II – Concert Orchestra 2 gives the student an opportunity to use special talent for group musical expression. It affords the student the opportunity to expand upon concepts present in Concert Orchestra in the Ninth Grade. Skills taught include advanced bowing technique, left-hand technique including high position patterns, ensemble playing, improved sight-reading ability, advanced knowledge of style and musical interpretation, and performance of standard orchestral literature from classical to popular music. Attendance is required for all performances and special rehearsals.
STRING ENSEMBLE – This is an opportunity for string students to perform chamber music, such as duets, trios, quartets and quintets. Unique performing opportunities are available in the community, including participation in the Solo-Ensemble Suburban Music Festival. Special emphasis will be placed on a part.
[Back to Top]PIANO 1 – This course is designed for beginning piano students. Students will become familiar with the keyboard and will learn to read notes and chord symbols.
PIANO 2 – This course is designed for students who have had some previous piano experience. Simple scales and chords will be presented along with they study of piano literature from every period of music history.
GUITAR 1 – Class instruction in how to play the acoustic (non-electric) guitar. Basic fundamentals of music notation, rhythms, chords and note reading skills will be taught. Styles of playing include folk, country, blues, rock and "finger pickin’." Students must have access to an acoustic guitar.
GUITAR 2 – Class instruction in playing the acoustic guitar continuing advanced study of basic styles such as classical, country, rock and blues. Patterns for improvisation, technique improvement, faster not reading, advanced special chords and effects will be stressed. Students must have access to an acoustic guitar.
MUSIC THEORY – Music theory is a course in the basic elements of music designed for the student with a sincere interest in music. It is strongly recommended for the prospective college music major/minor and for students interested in composition. Topics included are the study of rhythm, melodic and harmonic structures; practice in the skills that will enable you to hear rhythm, melody and harmony and development of the basic sills needed to compose music. This course will help prepare students for the advanced placement test in music. An honor grade my be earned (Juniors and Seniors only).
MUSIC DESIGNS – Students will study practical information for the music consumer through listening, discussion and analysis of selected musical styles.
[Back to Top]BEGINNING DANCE I – This course includes a variety of experiences designed to help students discover the breadth of dance as an art form. Students focus on technique class – training the dancer’s body, but also learn dance excerpts from several diverse dance styles such as Hip Hop or Indian dance. Students choreograph dance compositions, review others’choreography and participate in student dance concerts in their school. They are required to review at least one dance concert presented by professional dancers (live or video), and they must participate in the student dance concert. They may also participate in master classes led by guest artists, and are required to wear dance clothes to class. Reduced price tickets for the professional concert are available to Parkway students. A class resource fee (for field trips and related expenses) may be collected from each student.
DANCE EXPLORATION – This course is an extension of Begining Dance I, and allows students with intermediate skills to continue their study of dance. Technique classes are more challenging, as students improve their strength, flexibility and ability to perform more complex dance phrases. As introduction to the history and cultural context of dance allows students to address more sophisticated levels of choreography and movement problems. They learn to "set" contemporary and historical dances from video, and identify their own movement style. Participation in student dance concerts and review of at least two professional concerts (live or video) is required. Students may also participate in master classes led by guest artists, and are required to wear dance clothes to class. Concert dates and reduced price tickets for the concerts are available for Parkway Students.
PERFORMANCE AND TECHNIQUE DANCE III – This is a Dance Technique and Performance class for the proficient and advanced level high school dance student. Focus will be on technique and choreography as it relates to the performance of dance as an art form. Dancers will develop specific goals and objectives for improving their technique and choreography skills and will evaluate their progress throughout the course using tools such as video and journals. Individual student projects relating to dance and other disciplines and the specific health and training needs of dancers will be integrated into the technique classes. Student research may include demonstration of dance techniques used by famous choreographers or choreography of dances based on specific styles and cultures. Participation in student dance concerts and review of professional concerts (including video) are required. Students must wear dance clothes and may attend optional master classes or field trips.