Music
Music is an excellent vehicle for praising the Lord Jesus
Christ. Made in the image of God (Genesis 1), the whole man includes creativity
which is a reflection of God's creative work. The goal is to offer students the
highest quality training in Music possible, to share our love of Christ and of
music, and to create a lifelong appreciation of it for students. "Whatever
you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Colossians 3:17) "It
is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High."
(Psalm 92:1) "Sing to him a new song; play skillfully and shout for
joy." (Psalm 33:3)
Curriculum
Music Listening & Appreciation
This class is designed to take the students on a journey through the history of music from the fifth century A.D. to the present. We begin with Medieval Music and travel through the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, 20th Century and Contemporary including Blues, Jazz, Ragtime, Swing, the American Musical and Avant-Garde. We look at the lives of the composers such as Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Debussy, Copland, Gershwin, Bernstein to name a few. We are able to discern, through listening, the various styles and characteristics of these musical eras.
Pre-AP Music Theory
Let's start at the very beginning - a very good place to start! This class is designed to teach the fundamentals of music theory and composition to students who desire read, write and understand music better. These fundamentals are learned through keyboard skills, improvisation, composition, the reading, writing and performing of notes on the staff, rhythms, meters, scales and music listening.
AP Music Theory
This class is a rigorous course that expands upon the skills learned in the Pre-AP Music Theory Class which include keyboard skills, solfege singing, reading and notating music on staff paper, call and response, contextual listening and composition. It is designed to further develop the skills necessary for thoroughly understanding music theory and composition. Upon completion of this course, students will be prepared to take the AP Music Theory Exam.
Christian Music Then & Now
This class is designed to take the students on a journey through the history of sacred music. It will focus on the development of music from the Old Testament times to the present. It includes the origins of Sacred Music, Chant, music from Medieval times through the Romantic Period, Chorales and Hymns, Congregational Music, Gospel Music, Christian Country, Folk and Contemporary Christian Music. We look at the composers and the historical and personal events that shaped their lives and their music, and we discern, through listening, the various styles and characteristics of the various musical eras.
