Music
All students are required to take two semesters of fine arts courses. The music department recognizes the importance of music in developing a student’s self-esteem and also realizes the value of nurturing an appreciation for music. Outside of the formal course offerings of the music department, students may take part in the following extracurricular groups:
Pop Choir
Pep Band
Girls’ Pop Choir
Brass Quartet
Liturgical Choir
Jazz Band
Madrigal Group
Spring Play
Orchestra
These groups meet outside the scheduled school day, generally before or after school. The students also have the opportunity to be involved in the North Suburban Conference Choir and Band Festivals, Honor Band and Honor Choir, Small Group Contest, and spring tour.
Choir (S1) (S2)
This course is designed for students who like to sing. A wide selection of music is rehearsed and performed throughout the school year. Music includes sacred, classical, and contemporary tunes. There is an opportunity to audition for a pop/madrigal group in the fall semester. Students will have an opportunity to work on solos and ensembles for a contest/festival. Attendance is required at all performances, including school concerts, a spring trip, and other performances scheduled by the director. It fulfills the graduation requirement of two semesters of fine arts.
Based on enrollment and at the discretion of the instructors, students may be placed in one of the following choirs:
Concert Choir – open to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Chamber Choir – open to students currently enrolled in Choir at BSM. Auditions for this choir will be held in the spring. Enrollment is based on the audition and teacher recommendation.
Treble Choir: enrollment is open to all female students, grades 9 – 12.
One semester, one credit, open to freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors
It is recommended that students enroll in both semesters of this course.
Music Theory (S1) (S2)
This course will include a basic understanding of the fundamentals of music. Focusing on key signatures, scales, modes, and chord progressions, the student will learn to develop his/her own music with an understanding of creative composition.
Prerequisite: Must be able to read music.
One semester, one credit, open to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Concert Band (S1) (S2)
Students enrolled in this course will perform a wide variety of music: overtures, marches, lighter classics, and pop tunes. Students will work on improving their rhythm, technique, and style. Public performances will include concerts, athletic events, and a contest/festival with an opportunity for solo and ensemble playing. Attendance is required at major performances, athletic events, a spring trip, and other events scheduled by the director. It fulfills the graduation requirement of two semesters of fine arts.
Prerequisite: A minimum of two years of band experience.
One semester, one credit, open to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
It is recommended that students enroll in both semesters of this course.
String Orchestra (S1) (S2)
This course builds upon the skills developed in junior high, continuing to increase musical awareness, refinement of technique, and performance skills, including various styles and periods of music. The repertoire studied covers a large spectrum from classics to light pop to contemporary and liturgical music. Performances in a variety of venues including school mass, community and school events, and seasonal concerts with band and choir will require some after-school, before-school and weekend participation.
One semester, .5 credit open to freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors.
This class will meet before or after school, twice a week with regular participation in Mass.
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Band
This course teaches intermediate and advanced musical concepts. It is a building program and a continuation from elementary school. Suggested proficiency is one to two years playing experience. The band concentrates on larger performance skills and works to improve overall ensemble sound. Students will work on improving their rhythm, technique, and style. Two major concerts are performed each year and are required.
Year-long course, meets every other day, available to 7th and 8th graders as an option to choir.
Choir
This course is intended to develop beginning to intermediate music competencies. Fundamentals are stressed with emphasis on performances. Music includes sacred, classical, and pop tunes. Attendance is required at two performances, the Christmas concert in December and the spring concert in May. There is an opportunity to participate in junior high pop choir, which meets Wednesdays after school.
Year-long course, meets every other day, available to 7th and 8th graders as an option to band.
String Orchestra
This course is designed for players of orchestral stringed instruments who have had one to two years of playing experience. Intermediate level techniques, along with the study of orchestral music from various styles and periods, are employed to broaden and refine fundamental skills and prepare for the transition to more advanced level playing. Performances in a variety of venues including school Masses, community and school events, and seasonal concerts with band and choir will require some after-school, before-school, and weekend participation. The students will at times combine with high school players in order to perform larger works, as well as portions of oratorios to be performed with the choir.
Meets every other day. Available to 7th and 8th graders as an option to choir or band.
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