| Period 1 (1:30 - 2:10 PM) | Period 2 (2:15 - 2:55 PM) | Period 3 (3 - 3:40 PM) |
|---|
| Music from Africa to America – Baruch Whitehead | Chamber Music Literature – Diana Golden | Theatre Improvisation: Serious Fun for Everyone – Marie Sirakos |
| I Might Want to Prepare for a Career in the Musical Arts! – Aaron Burgess | Yoga for Musicians – Christine Hickey Armstrong | Yoga for Musicians – Christine Hickey Armstrong |
| Introduction to Composition – Josh Oxford | Conquering Performance Anxiety – Ben Rochford | Why Is This Song Good? – Josh Oxford |
| Introduction to Sound Recording – Luke Klingensmith | Introduction to Sound Recording – Luke Klingensmith | Jazz Improvisation and Standards I – Nick Weiser |
| The Sounds You See: How Music is Used in Film - John White | Jazz Vocal Ensemble – John White | Jazz Improvisation and Standards II – Alejandro Bernard-Papachryssanthou |
| Introduction to String Instruments – Cassie Sulbaran | Introduction to Percussion Instruments – Conrad Alexander | Introduction to the Guitar – Zachary McDonald |
| The Musical Mind – Crystal Peebles | The Joy of Practice – Alejandro Bernard-Papachryssanthou | Handbell Choir – Crystal Peebles |
| Introduction to the Piano – Mary Holzhauer | Diction for Singers – Mary Holzhauer | Vocal Skills that Impress Audiences! - Carami Hilaire |
| Introduction to Conducting – Drew Benware | Exploring the Musicals of Andrew Lloyd Webber – Drew Benware | TBA - Art Elective |
| Music from Africa to America – Baruch Whitehead | Chamber Music Literature – Diana Golden | Theatre Improvisation: Serious Fun for Everyone – Marie Sirakos |
ELECTIVE DESCRIPTIONS
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Diction for Singers
Learn about the sounds of singing, the symbols we use to describe them including the International Phonetic Alphabet, and how to communicate through song in English and other languages (Italian, French, and German). No prior knowledge of languages other than English required. For vocal students.
Instructor – Mary Holzhauer
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Exploring The Musicals of Andrew Lloyd Webber
In this course, students will explore the musical output of Broadway composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and his significant contribution to the genre. From "Starlight Express" and "Jesus Christ Superstar" to more modern shows like "Sunset Boulevard" and the incomparable "The Phantom of the Opera," this elective will use video and musical examples to work through each musical by Webber with attention paid to notable musical numbers and plot synopses. Instructor – Andrew Benware
Instructor – Drew Benware
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Why is this Song Good?
Has anyone told you why the music you like is good or bad?We will listen to and comment on either a live student performance or an audio recording. The ensuing interactive discussions will range from learning about musical theoretical concepts to compositional and production techniques— how to critically comment on and evaluate the music we hear. Instructor – Josh Oxford
Instructor - Josh Oxford
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Handbell Choir
Expand your musicianship and rhythmic skills by performing in a handbell choir. In this hands-on class, we will learn basic performance techniques, compose a processional, and learn a few songs!
Curious about this type of ensemble? Check out this link: https://youtu.be/Lg9bSbfFV1Y
Instructor – Crystal Peebles
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Hip Hop Piano
Using the music of MF DOOM, Nujabes, and Robert Glasper, students will learn a general approach to playing hip-hop styles at the keyboard. Students will lean chord progressions, riffs as well as fundamental rhythmic concepts used to play along to a backing track. A minimum of 2 years of piano playing experience is required to take this elective. (This is NOT a production course; fresh beats will be provided).
Instructor – Alejandro Bernard-Papachryssanthou
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I might want to pursue a career in the musical arts!
If you are contemplating a career in the musical arts, this course is for you! Join us as we explore a myriad of topics including goal-setting, career options and career diversification, how music school differs from your high school program, healthy practice strategies, selecting music schools, professional etiquette, networking, preparation for and the audition process itself, the value of private instruction on your instrument or voice, strengthening your ears, and engaging in activities that enhance your music school application. Additionally, we will address issues facing the music profession today such as mental health concerns, diversification of the repertoire and the need to promote artists from underrepresented groups, performance anxiety, time management, and the true meaning of success! Come with your questions and leave with a sound game plan!
Instructor – Aaron Burgess
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Introduction to Composition
Students will get the opportunity to begin composing their own music! Time will be divided every day between instruction and composing. The participants will listen to a variety of classical music, discuss techniques for crafting a cohesive piece of music, and learn about various computer-assisted compositional techniques utilizing notation software.
Instructor – Josh Oxford
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Beginning Conducting
This course is designed to equip the student with the fundamental skills of conducting, including baton position, left hand technique, score reading and preparation, transposition and rehearsal procedure. Members of the class will also function as the ensemble and each person will have the opportunity to conduct the ensemble.
Instructor – Drew Benware
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Introduction to Percussion Instruments
Open to all SMA students, this class will explore the basic techniques involved in playing the major percussion instruments which include snare drum, mallets, timpani and drum set. Everyone will have the opportunity to play each instrument and explore what each area of percussion has to offer for everyone’s enjoyment. No previous experience with percussion is required. Instruments will be provided.
Instructor – Conrad Alexander
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Introduction to Sound Recording
Students will learn basic recording concepts that will include cable and connector identification, interconnecting of audio equipment, microphone technology, live sound, and remote recording techniques.
Instructor – Luke Klingensmith
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Introduction to String Instruments
Open to all SMA students, this class will cover the basics of how to play the violin, viola, and cello. Topics will include posture, plucking, bow hold, left hand position, and tone production. Students will have the opportunity to try out each instrument and will perform a simple song at the end of the two weeks. No previous experience required. Instruments will be provided.
Instructor – Cassandra Sulbarán
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Introduction to the Piano
Students who have limited experience playing the piano will have the opportunity to learn the basics.
Instructor - Mary Holzhauer
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Jazz Improvisation and Standards I
Students will learn the basic elements of how to improvise and compose an effective jazz solo. No previous experience in jazz or improvisation required.
Instructor – Nick Weiser
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Jazz Improvisation and Standards II
Students will learn more advanced techniques of how to improvise and compose an effective jazz solo, such as playing over more challenging harmonies and more difficult songs. For students with previous jazz and/or improvisation experience.
Instructor – Alejandro Bernard-Papachryssanthou
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Theater Improvisation: Serious fun for Everyone
From the dramatic to the hilarious, and everything in between. Level-up yourtheatre and performance skills, getin the flow of group performance work, and create scene, character, and story out of thin air. Wear clothes to move, bring along your hard-working attitude, and let’s have some fun.
Instructor – Maria Sirakos
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Music from Africa to America
Participants will experience African drumming and dance and a survey of African-American music from opera to hip-hop. No prior experience in drumming or dancing required. Click on this link to see a recent performance by the Ithaca College West African Drumming and Dance Ensemble:
https://www.ithaca.edu/academics/school-music/live/2019-2020-archive/10242019-african-drumming-and-dance
Instructor - Baruch Whitehead
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Conquering Performance Anxiety
This course will examine the various factors that contribute to music performance anxiety. In addition, students will be introduced to techniques used to cope with this problem and will practice them in class.
Instructor - Benjamin Rochford
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The Joy of Practice
People end up becoming professional musicians not for the money, but because playing music is fun! And typically, music becomes more fun the better you get at it. In this elective we will uncover the secrets to more effective practice, helping you to become a better, more confident (and happy!) music maker.
Instructor – Alejandro Bernard-Papachryssanthou
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The Musical Mind
In this class students will participate in a variety of activities to explore the musical mind. We will consider how music shapes the brain and how the brain shapes music. Topics include perfect pitch, earworms, musical prodigies, and music therapies.
Instructor – Crystal Peebles
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The Sounds You See: How Music is Used in Film
This elective examines various ways music is used in movies. Using a variety of short movie clips, we’ll look at how music is used to set a mood or provide atmosphere, reflect emotion or project underlying psychological aspects, reinforce or contrast with the action on the screen, suggest new story dimensions or provide a composer’s comment, build a sense of continuity throughout the story, and otherwise help make a film memorable and marketable. Other uses will be covered as time permits. (Due to the time of day, popcorn will not be provided---sorry!)
Instructor - John White
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Yoga for Musicians
This course is designed with two aims. The first is to help students unwind, relieve tensions, refresh the mind and body, and leave with a sense of renewal. The second is to set the foundation for a regenerative yoga practice that students can build upon at any time beyond the course. Expect to learn sequencing, technique, and posture modifications while nurturing seeds for lifelong self-care.
Instructor – Christine Armstrong
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Musical Skills that Impress Audiences
In this class students will explore the technique behind the skills that impress their audiences, from belting and mixing to runs, coloratura and legato. Students will explorethe nuances of these skills daily, using real world examples from all genres of music to bolster their understanding of how to leave a room breathless.
Instructor - Carami Hilaire
