Upper School Curriculum Guide 2024-2025

 

Concert Choir

For the motivated and experienced choral singer, Concert Choir is a mixed ensemble for those students who are proficient with vocal technique and musicianship and wish to develop those skills to a mastery level. In addition to presenting three to four concerts throughout the year, the choir performs at various school functions, and represents Darlington at various civic and school-related events on and off-campus, including a choir tour during the spring semester. A successful Concert Choir member is dedicated and invested.

Skills Developed

• Demonstrate ability to sing accurately in parts

• Produce vocal tone appropriate to various styles of music

• Communicate expressively through dynamic contrast, vocal tone, facial expression, and body language

• Identify and solve issues of balance, blend, and ensemble

• React appropriately to a conducting gesture

• Read music (both pitch and rhythm) from a printed score

Knowledge Developed

 

• An understanding of the fundamentals of musical notation, including pitches and note values, key and time signatures, and musical terms

• A vocabulary to describe the standards of vocal/choral excellence

• Knowledge of the musical, literary, historic, cultural, and/or religious context of chosen repertoire

 

Required Prerequisites

At least one year of prior choral experience is strongly encouraged.

Membership is based on auditions held in the spring for the following year (and in the first week of school for new students).  Auditions are comprised of a student's demonstration of music reading ability, intonation, and musicality.

AP Music Theory 

Why did the composer choose to write the melody this way? Why does this chord tug at my heartstrings so strongly? And why does this piece just seem strange?AP Music Theory develops a student’s ability to recognize, understand and describe the basic processes and materials of music as they are heard or presented in a musical score. Students will use listening, singing, and written exercises to develop aural, analytical, and composition skills.

Skills Developed

• Write and analyze music following common practice techniques in contrapuntal techniques, voice leading, chord progressions and figured bass.

• Identify and recite intervals, chords and scales both aurally and on paper.

• Identify and recite melody, harmony, and rhythm both aurally and on paper through sight-reading and dictation.

Knowledge Developed

• Basic pitch and rhythm notation

• Tonality -- major, minor

• Scales -- major, minor, modal, pentatonic, whole tone

• Intervals and transposition

• Introduction to melodic organization and counterpoint

• Triads and seventh chords

• Roman numeral analysis and figured bass Symbols

• Part writing

• Cadences

• Harmonic progression

• Texture/form

• Non-harmonic tones/motivic treatment

• Secondary dominants/tonicization

• Modulation to closely related keys

• Introduction to extended harmony

Required Prerequisites

• Teacher recommendation along with theory level placement test

• Ability to read music

• Performance ability on an instrument or in voice

 

Beginning Instrumental Methods

The Instrumental Methods course is designed for a beginning instrumentalist who wishes to learn an instrument or one day become part of either the Orchestra or Band. In class, students learn to read music and perform independently and with an ensemble. Each student will ultimately be able to transfer the skill acquired in class into a deeper appreciation for instrumental music or towards successful participation in an ensemble class the following year.  All aspiring band (including guitar) and orchestral instrumentalists welcome. Private lessons outside of class are strongly recommended as a supplement to the in class experience.

 

Upper School Band

At the Upper School, students will find that the Wind Ensemble is extremely versatile. This award-winning group plays music from the standard concert and symphonic repertoire. The Wind Ensemble offers every student the opportunity to build proficiency beyond his or her current skill level.

Skills Developed

• Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music

• Reading and notating music

• Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments

• Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines

• Rhythm reading proficiency

Knowledge Developed

• Listening to, analyzing, and describing music

• Evaluating music and music performances

• Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts

• Understanding music in relation to history and culture

• Appreciation of music of multiple styles and genres

Required Prerequisites

• Suggested previous ability on instrument

• Ability to read music

Special Notes

• Stadium Band is required for all participants (excluding special circumstances).

• Spring competitive festival is required (excluding special circumstances).

• Each participant is required to provide proper concert attire (black tuxedo for gentlemen and black floor-length gown for ladies).

 

Orchestra

Do you play a stringed instrument? Orchestra is for all string players and the class accommodates all skill levels by allowing participation in the String Ensemble without audition. Repertoire covers the major symphonic styles. The Orchestra offers every student the opportunity to build proficiency beyond his or her current skill level.

Skills Developed

• Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music

• Reading and notating music

• Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments

• Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines

• Rhythm reading proficiency

Knowledge Developed

• Listening to, analyzing, and describing music

• Evaluating music and music performances

• Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts

• Understanding music in relation to history and culture

• Appreciation of music of multiple styles and genres

Required Prerequisites

• Suggested previous ability on instrument

• Ability to read music

Special Notes

• Spring competitive festival is required (excluding special circumstances).

• Each participant is required to provide proper concert attire (black tuxedo for gentlemen and black floor-length gown for ladies).

• Orchestra members are encouraged to audition for the string quartet. 

 

Keyboard Musicianship

 

Want to learn to play a keyboard instrument and read music? Maybe you know how to do both of these things but would like to improve in ability and skill. This class provides an opportunity for both beginner and advanced students to develop and improve keyboard skills and knowledge of musicianship and music theory.  

Skills Developed

Will vary by student, but will include:

• Keyboard skills

• Performance skills

• Collaborative piano (accompanying skills)

• Written and aural music theory skills

Knowledge Developed

• Ability to read musical notation, including pitches and note values, key and time signatures, and musical terms

• Scales (major and minor) intervals, and chords

• Ability to read chord charts and lead sheets

• Ability to play cadences and harmonize a melody

• Expression through musical means such as dynamics, tempo, tone, and phrasing.

• Knowledge of the musical, literary, historic, cultural, and/or religious context of chosen repertoire

Required Pre-requisites

• A serious interest in acquiring and/or furthering one’s ability to play piano and understand music theory.

Learning Modes

• Rehearsal of assigned repertoire

• Musicianship skill practice

• Theory assignments

• Lectures on theory principles

• Listening activities

• Studio performances and discussion

• Individual practice time outside of class

Special Notes

• May be taken as a course in the fundamentals of music theory, with a keyboard emphasis.

 

Beginning Women’s Chorus (Replacing Mixed Chorale for 24-25)

Have you always wanted to learn how to sing well? Or do you simply enjoy music and being with other people? For all these, and many other reasons, the Beginning Women’s Chorus is your place to learn the basics of how to sing, read, and appreciate music with a group of women with the same goal. Through daily rehearsals and the use of a wide variety of musical styles, students will learn about healthy vocal production, musicianship skills and sight-reading, as well as the skills necessary for ensemble singing.

Skills Developed

• Produce proper vocal tone appropriate to various styles of music

• Demonstrate ability to sing accurately in 1, 2 and 3 parts

• Communicate expressively through dynamic contrast, vocal tone, facial expression and body language

• Identify and solve issues of balance, blend, and ensemble

• React appropriately to a conducting gesture

• Read music (both pitch and rhythm) from a printed score

Knowledge Developed

• An understanding of the fundamentals of musical notation, including pitches and note values, key and time signatures, and musical terms

• A vocabulary to describe the standards of vocal/choral excellence

• Knowledge of the musical, literary, historic, cultural, and/or religious context of chosen repertoire

 

Communication Arts I (Replacing Photography for 24-25)

This entry-level course covers the basics of photography, journalism and graphic design. Students will take and edit photos, learn how to interview and write captions and stories and start with basic skills in graphic design and page layout. This course is great for students who, in the future, might be interested in working on the yearbook or student newspaper. Cameras and software are provided.

Knowledge and skill sets include:

• Beginner photography and photojournalism (taking photos and editing them in Adobe Lightroom)

• Basics of journalism

• Interviewing and reporting

• News- and caption-writing and AP Style

• Beginner page layout and graphic design (including the use of Adobe InDesign)

Yearbook (Communication Arts II/III/IV) - Replacing 23-24 Yearbook

This advanced-level course features students who produce the Jabberwokk Yearbook. Editors lead this fast-paced process, where staff members document Darlington history and tell the story of the year using photos, writing and graphic design. Students make decisions and create content throughout the entire process, including choosing the book's theme, designing the cover, choosing which events to cover, taking photos, writing captions and stories, designing spreads, placing the portraits, creating the index, selling ads and so much more. Staff members will also manage the Jabberwokk's social media platforms to promote content and connect with their audience. Yearbook is a commitment, and staff members are expected to help outside of class to finish the yearbook on time and to a high standard. Previous credit earned from taking Communication Arts in the Upper School or eighth grade is encouraged, and approval by the Jabberwokk adviser is required to join.

Knowledge and skill sets include:

• Basics of journalism

• Interviewing and reporting

• Caption-writing, story-writing and AP Style

• Advanced photography and photojournalism (including photo selection and editing in Adobe Lightroom)

• Advanced page layout and graphic design (including the use of Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator)

• Social media management and competence

• Editorial leadership and decision-making

• Deadline management and accountability

 

The Newsroom (Communication Arts II/III/IV) (Replacing The Newsroom for 24-25)

This advanced-level course features students who will staff the Darlingtonian: Darlington's student news source. Staff members will learn the basics of journalism, including how to be an informed consumer of the news and how to write/share the news for their audience. Editors lead this fast-paced class, where staff members find and choose topics and angles, interview sources, write articles and tell the stories of our student body. Staff members report on academics, sports, student life, culture, clubs, arts, breaking news and more through news articles, features, opinion pieces, reviews, photos, videos and any other forms of storytelling. Staff members will learn practical skills like AP Style for journalistic writing and how to use and navigate Wordpress, and staff members will also manage TheDarNews social media platforms to promote content and connect with their audience. The website, which students design, build, maintain and populate with content, is accessible at www.Darlingtonian.com. Previous credit earned from taking Communication Arts in the Upper School or eighth grade is encouraged, and approval by the Darlingtonian adviser is required to join.

Knowledge and skill sets include:

• Basics of journalism (law and ethics)

• Interviewing and reporting

• News-writing and AP Style

• Wordpress operation

• Social media management and competence

• Editorial leadership and decision-making

• Deadline management and accountability

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Graphic Design:  

A year-long exploration of visual communication, this Communication Arts course aims to equip students with the necessary tools to communicate ideas clearly and concisely. Students explore the history of graphic design and the fundamentals of visual communication, including typography, images, and layout, applied through a variety of projects on both screen and page. Students will bring their unique vision and voice to life using industry-standard software: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign.

 Knowledge and skill sets include:

• Fundamentals of visual communication

• Skill development in design and use of Adobe Suite