Music Courses

 

The following are short descriptions of the musical course offerings available for students to select at Montera.

 

Beginning strings

 

For students with little to no experience playing a stringed instrument (violin, viola, cello, and string bass). Students will learn how to hold the instrument properly, read music notation, produce a good tone on the instrument, and play full-orchestra arrangements. This group will perform at two evening concerts at school. One in December/January and one in May. Participation at these concerts is required and part of the class grade. Students are encouraged to provide their own instrument, but if they don’t have one, the school will provide an instrument for you to play. No audition required.

Beginning/Intermediate Instrumental Music (year-long courses)

• Beginning Band: is for students with little or no experience in any wind instruments where they will get individual attention and support they need in order to progress to the intermediate and advanced levels.
• Intermediate Band: is for students who have already played a wind instrument for 1 or 2 years in elementary school or 6th grade, can hold their instrument properly, produce a good tone, read and perform basic rhythms and simple melodies, play the Bb, Eb and Ab concert major scales and know al lof the notes in the treble or bass clefs. Drummers need to know the fundamentals of snare drums, and simple melodies on bells.
• Beginning Orchestra: is for students with little or no experience in any string instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass) where they will get individual attention and support they need in order to progress to the intermediate and advanced levels.
• Intermediate Orchestra: for students who have already played a wind instrument for 1 or 2 years in elementary school or 6th grade playing a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass). Students will learn how to hold the instrument properly, read music notation, produce a good tone and play full orchestral arrangements.

Advanced Instrumental Music (year-long courses)

• Students must audition and get the recommendation of a music teacher, to be placed in these groups
• Advanced Band: is for students who can read music and play in an instrument at an advanced level. All students must audition to be in this and can only be placed in this band with the recommendation of the music teacher.  Assignment to this class must be done BEFORE school starts in the fall. Attendance at all concerts and events is part of the grade.
• Advanced Orchestra: is for students who can read music and play an instrument at an advanced level. All students must audition to be in this class and can only be placed in this orchestra with the recommendation of the music teacher. Assignment to this class must be done BEFORE school starts in the fall. Attendance at all concerts and events is part of the grade.

Concert Choir (year-long course)

Concert Choir: open to students with basic music reading and vocal ability, the class will build on music reading and choral foundations to work towards high-quality performances of beginning-intermediate choral literature.  ALL students must audition to be placed in this choir, and can only be placed with the recommendation of the music teacher before school starts in the fall. Auditions will be held in the spring, please check this page for times and dates.

Guitar/ Keyboarding (one semester each)

Students will learn to play songs and melodies from a variety of genres on the piano or guitar. Students will learn proper piano and guitar technique and prepare for an in class recital at the end of each semester. No previous playing experience required.

Music Appreciation (semester course only)

This is a General Music class for students who don't want to play in a performance-based band or orchestra all year. In this class, students will sing, dance, and play a variety of instruments, music and games from around the world. No previous music experience is required. Semester Course

Ukulele (semester course only)

This is a semester-long course for students interested in playing the ukulele. Students will learn how to read music, play various melodies and chords while singing, and learn about  famous ukulele players, as well as listening to and describing various types of music performed on the ukulele.  Semester Course

Percussion Ensemble (semester course only)

This is a semester-long course for students interested in playing different percussion instruments. Students will learn how to read music and learn proper playing technique for a variety of percussion instruments. Some of the instruments that will be covered are snare drum, bass drum, xylophone, triangle, tambourine, and hand drums among other instruments.  Semester Course

After School

Jazz Band: open to all students through audition. Meets every Tuesday and Thursdays after school between 3:45 and 4:45PM. Attendance and participation at performances is required.