This course is for students who are interested in creating electronic music and is open to both beginners and those with experience in music production. Through a series of independent projects, students will utilize these tools to create their own beats and express their own artistic vision. In addition to creating their own music, students will gain an understanding of the origins and cultural impact of pivotal electronic music throughout the term including hip-hop and house music. The class will cover various facets of digital music, focusing on recording and editing in Abelton Live, and the science and technology behind electronic music production. Students will also have opportunities to share, discuss, and analyze electronic music that they choose themselves. No music experience is necessary. This course can be taken more than once and at the Honors level with permission from the instructor.One Term CourseNo prerequisite
Have you always wanted to learn how to play the guitar or piano? Did you teach yourself how to play a few chords, but want to take the next step? This practical, non-performance-based course is designed for students with little to no previous guitar/piano experience. After choosing to focus on either piano or guitar, essential skills are taught in a fun, supportive setting that allows students to develop at their own pace. The idea is to get you playing right away. Chord-reading and note-reading are taught to both pianists and guitarists so you can work with chord charts or written sheet music. By the end of the course, you will be able to play simple popular pieces, including songs that you choose yourself. This course can be taken more than once.One Term CourseNo prerequisite
Chroma is an ensemble that offers instrumentalists an in-depth study of expansive ensemble works across a wide range of musical genres. This ensemble is open to all instruments including strings, woodwinds, brass, and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass, percussion). Students will study and play a broad selection of intermediate and advanced repertoire with a focus on building technical skills while exploring the cultural and historical context of the repertoire. This course utilizes custom arrangements, taking components from the classical music tradition as well as contemporary styles such as pop/rock and jazz as vehicles to develop students’ technique and creative processes. Class material will integrate music theory, instrumental technique, and rehearsal/performance skills. The ensemble will perform in formal mandatory concerts throughout the year.Weekly individual instrumental lessons are not required but are available on campus to students for an additional fee. Students who are on financial aid at Beaver have the same percentage of aid applied to private lessons. Students interested in taking more than one art class should reach out to the registrar or the Head of Performing Arts to discuss possible options.Two Term CoursePrerequisite: Instrumental Ensemble II, Ikonoclastic or placement audition.
A Cappella Foundations will introduce students to the fundamentals of a cappella singing, including vocal technique, music literacy, and artistic expression. They will also cultivate a working knowledge of fundamental music theory and explore the wider cultural context of the repertoire they study. Throughout the course, students will learn how to listen for tuning and ensemble blend during rehearsal. The aim of the course is to develop confident musicians and prepare for a public concert at the end of the term. Weekly individual voice lessons are not required but are available on campus to students for an additional fee. Students who are on financial aid at Beaver have the same percentage of aid applied to their private music lessons. Students interested in taking more than one art class should reach out to the registrar or the Head of Performing Arts to discuss possible options.One Term CoursePrerequisite: No prerequisite
In this advanced music course students will specialize in and learn a variety of Afro-Caribbean standards. They will explore Caribbean culture and history to gain a greater understanding of the evolution of their music. Musicianship skills developed will include sight-reading, technique, improvisation, ear-training, ensemble skills, intonation and theory. Styles covered will include Calypso, Reggae, Bomba, Merengue and Son. The ensemble will perform in formal mandatory concerts throughout the year as well as some additional school forums. In addition to honing their music skills, students will make cross-cultural and historical connections. Weekly individual voice lessons are not required, but are available on campus to students for an additional fee. Students who are on financial aid at Beaver have the same percentage of aid applied to their private music lessons. Students interested in taking more than one art class should reach out to the registrar or the Head of Performing Arts to discuss possible options.Three Term Course - E BlockPrerequisite: Instrumental Ensemble II, Ikonoclastic or placement audition
The Instrumental Ensemble II course builds on and further develops the skills introduced in Instrumental Ensemble I. This ensemble is open to all instruments including strings, woodwinds, brass, and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass, percussion). Students will study and play a wide range of repertoire with a focus on building technical skills while exploring the cultural and historical context of the repertoire. This course utilizes components from the classical music traditions as well as contemporary styles such as jazz and blues as vehicles to develop students’ technique and creative processes. Class material will integrate music theory, instrumental technique, rehearsal/performance skills, and improvisation skills. The ensemble will perform in formal mandatory concerts throughout the year. Weekly individual instrumental lessons are not required but are available on campus to students for an additional fee. Students who are on financial aid at Beaver have the same percentage of aid applied to private lessons. Students interested in taking more than one art class should reach out to the registrar or the Head of Performing Arts to discuss possible options.Two Term CoursePrerequisite: Instrumental Ensemble I, Ikonoclastic or placement audition
B-Side A Cappella builds on and further develops the skills learned from A Cappella Foundations while introducing a cappella vocal arranging and improvisation. Students will continue to develop their vocal technique and musicianship while exploring the wider cultural context of the repertoire they study. Throughout the course, they will learn how to work independently in smaller groups and will be given leadership opportunities in weekly rehearsals. The aim of the course is to prepare students to rehearse and perform a cappella vocal music independently and to perform in one public concert each term. This course can be taken more than once and at the Honors level with permission from the instructor. Weekly individual voice lessons are not required but are available on campus to students for an additional fee. Students who are on financial aid at Beaver have the same percentage of aid applied to their private music lessons. Students interested in taking more than one art class should reach out to the registrar or the Head of Performing Arts to discuss possible options.Two Term Course. Can be taken for 1 Term only if in conjunction with A Cappella Foundations.Prerequisite: Any Upper School choral ensemble or permission of the instructor.
Ikonoclastic is an ensemble for students who identify as female or non-binary and is open to all instruments including strings, woodwinds, brass, and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass, percussion). This performing arts course strives to build a strong foundation for the student musician and to expand skills for returning students. Students will study and play a wide range of repertoire with a focus on building technical skills while exploring the cultural and historical context of the repertoire. This course utilizes components from the classical music traditions as well as contemporary styles such as jazz, blues, and pop/rock as vehicles to develop students’ technique and creative processes. Class material will integrate music theory, instrumental technique, rehearsal/performance skills, and improvisation skills. The ensemble will perform in formal mandatory concerts throughout the year. Students should be capable of playing their instrument independently with at least one full year of private lessons and/or ensemble experience. Students who are new to Beaver will be contacted by a faculty member prior to the beginning of the school year to ensure proper ensemble placement. Weekly individual instrumental lessons are not required but are available on campus to students for an additional fee. Students who are on financial aid at Beaver have the same percentage of aid applied to private lessons. Students interested in taking more than one art class should reach out to the registrar or the Head of Performing Arts to discuss possible options.Three Term CoursePrerequisite: One year experience with private lessons and/or ensemble experience.
This course offers instrumentalists an in-depth study of jazz performance. This ensemble is open to all instruments including strings, woodwinds, brass, and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass, percussion). While playing a range of jazz repertoire, students will apply theory and learn strategies for interpreting and soloing over standard jazz chord changes. They will develop skills with swing phrasing, articulation, sight-reading, and idiomatic ensemble traditions. Rhythm section instrumentalists (piano, guitar, bass, and drums) will learn how to independently develop a range of instrument-specific parts for standard jazz repertoire. Students will build jazz vocabulary and develop their own voices as improvisers. The ensemble will perform their work in mandatory concerts throughout the year. Weekly individual instrumental lessons are not required but are available on campus to students for an additional fee. Students who are on financial aid at Beaver have the same percentage of aid applied to private lessons. Students interested in taking more than one art class should reach out to the registrar or the Head of Performing Arts to discuss possible options.Two Term CoursePrerequisite: Instrumental Ensemble II, Ikonoclastic or placement audition.
Instrumental Ensemble I is open to all instruments including strings, woodwinds, brass and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass, percussion). This performing arts course strives to build a strong foundation for the student musician. Students will study and play a wide range of repertoire with a focus on building technical skills while exploring the cultural and historical context of the repertoire. This course utilizes components from the classical music traditions as well as contemporary styles such as jazz and blues as vehicles to develop students’ technique and creative processes. Class material will integrate music theory, instrumental technique, rehearsal/performance skills, and improvisation skills. The ensemble will perform in formal mandatory concerts throughout the year. Students should be capable of playing their instrument independently with at least one full year of private lessons and/or ensemble experience. Students who are new to Beaver will be contacted by a faculty member prior to the beginning of the school year to ensure proper ensemble placement. Weekly individual instrumental lessons are not required, but are available on campus to students for an additional fee. Students who are on financial aid at Beaver have the same percentage of aid applied to private lessons. Students interested in taking more than one art class should reach out to the registrar or the Head of Performing Arts to discuss possible options.Two Term CoursePrerequisite: One year experience with private lessons and/or ensemble experience.
Select Singers is an all-year course for experienced singers which aims to advance vocal technique, ensemble skills, and individual musicianship through study and performance of a wide variety of choral repertoire. Students will work in a variety of smaller groups within the ensemble in both sight-reading exercises and sectional rehearsals. Students should be highly motivated and committed to learning music at an accelerated pace and be prepared to sing for public concerts in smaller ensembles. Select Singers will prepare a varied program of repertoire for concerts at the end of each term. This course can be taken more than once. Weekly individual voice lessons are not required but are available on campus to students for an additional fee. Students who are on financial aid at Beaver have the same percentage of aid applied to their private music lessons. Students interested in taking more than one art class should reach out to the registrar or the Head of Performing Arts to discuss possible options.Three Term Course - E BlockPrerequisite: Audition