Music Department

The Vocal Experience offers students an opportunity to explore and perform a wide variety of choral music ranging from traditional literature to more contemporary genre. Students develop an understanding of music theory: elements of formal structure and aesthetic qualities of music. The fundamental principles of vocal technique are taught, basic music reading skills are developed. The 7th grade will combine with the 8th grade members of the Vocal Experience for public performances, such as the annual winter and spring Choral Concerts.

The Vocal Experience will participate in the Music-in the Parks Adjudication Festival each spring. Here, the vocal ensemble is judged by vocal technicians on all aspects of their performance. It is a wonderful educational opportunity for all vocal members to work as a community and grow as musicians.

The Vocal Experience offers students an opportunity to explore and perform a wide variety of choral music ranging from traditional literature to a more contemporary genre. Students develop an understanding of music theory: elements, formal structure, and aesthetic qualities of music. The fundamental principles of vocal technique are taught, basic music reading skills are developed. The 8th grade will combine with the 7th grade members of the Vocal Experience for public performances, such as the annual winter and spring Choral Concerts.

The Vocal Experience will participate the Music-in the Parks Adjudication Festival each spring. Here, the vocal ensemble is judged by vocal technicians on all aspects of their performance. It is a wonderful educational opportunity for all vocal members to work as a community and grow as musicians.

Offered to 7th and 8th graders who have played a musical instrument for at least one year. Repertoire includes a range of musical styles including baroque, classical, romantic, popular, and Broadway musicals. The development of performance skills and the student’s awareness and sensitivity to the aesthetic qualities of music are emphasized.

This vocal ensemble is open to female singers from grades 7-12.  This is an “audition only” vocal ensemble.  Each member must be dedicated to keeping the standard of musicianship and excellence high.  The BelleTones meet every Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:15 a.m. until 7:55 a.m.  There are mandatory evening rehearsals throughout the year.  The BelleTones perform at all in-school concerts, as well as throughout the community.  They also participate in the Heritage Festival Adjudication Series, and travel to a pre-determined city each season.

Grades 9-12 Credit .5

Grades 7-8 pass/fall

The Jenkintown High School Concert Choir is a non-audition based vocal ensemble available to grades 9-12.  Students wishing to participate in this course must obtain teacher approval to do so. Concert Choir provides advanced performance experience in a variety of musical genres. The repertoire will include traditional and contemporary literature, as well as “world music”. The repertoire is designed to stimulate musical growth, enhance aesthetic appreciation, and encourage a meaningful music experience. Each member will focus on their musicianship skills as well as understanding the importance of being part of a choral community.  Performance opportunities are offered to singers via the winter and spring choral concerts, in-school programs, graduation ceremonies, and community outreach events.  Each year, the Concert Choir participates in the Heritage Festival Adjudication Series, and travel to a pre-determined city each season.  The Concert Choir also performs at the World Language Induction Ceremony and the National Honors Society Induction Ceremony.

Credit: 1

Participation in the Honors Chorale is by “audition only”. Students must demonstrate vocal music competency; singing in harmony, understanding basic music theory and vocal technique. Students must also be proficient in vocal “sight-reading”.  The Honors Music program is encouraged for all music students who desire to advance their music development through intensive study.

Once accepted into the Honors Chorale, students must remain for the full year in order to maintain the vocal balance and integrity of the vocal ensemble.

In addition to learning the Concert Choir repertoire, students in this class will be exposed to a variety of a cappella vocal music; from madrigals of the 1500’s to contemporary vocal a cappella music.  All members are expected to work on their repertoire independently of their choir sessions.  Vocal assignments are mandatory, as are evening rehearsals throughout the year.  In addition to performing and rehearsing with the Concert Choir, members of this class will participate in a variety of additional community performance venues and competitions throughout the year. Highlights for this group include performing at the Capital Building in Harrisburg, Pa. and representing the Jenkintown School District for MIOSM (Music In Our Schools Month).  The Honors Chorale will also perform at the annual American Association of Teachers of French Induction Ceremony at Chestnut Hill College.

Credit 1

Open to all 9th through 12th graders who possess sufficient skill on a musical instrument to be capable of performing concert band repertoire at the high school level. Advanced technical skills, musicianship, and western musical performance practices are emphasized. The music performed in Pep Band includes marches appropriate to athletic events as well as parades and extensive repertoire in popular and jazz music. Performance techniques appropriate to these idioms are emphasized. The band performs at home and away football games as well as pep rallies and Color Day. The band has performed for professional events at Philadelphia Phillies baseball games, Philadelphia International Airport Holiday Concerts, Bourse Building Holiday Concerts, Philadelphia Phantoms hockey games, etc.

Credit: 1

Open to H.S. students who are concurrently enrolled in the Wind Ensemble who possess sufficient skill on a musical instrument to be capable of performing jazz band literature. Jazz performance techniques, the art of musical interpretation and jazz improvisation are emphasized. The band performs at the annual Jenkintown High School jazz concert each March, and participates in local and national jazz festivals. This class is offered as a “0” period and meets at 7:15 am on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

Credit: .5

A semi-independent study elective, Honors Instrumental Music offers advanced instrumental students an opportunity to enrich and augment their music development through individualized music instruction. Students are encouraged to participate in a regular program of private instruction with a professional instrumental teacher and MUST prepare the audition requirements for PMEA District 11 Band auditions. All must prepare for the audition and complete a mid-November Mock Audition, however 10th-12th Grade must complete the District Band Audition in mid-December.

Music Theory focuses on concepts and skills emphasized within introductory college music theory courses, with the goal of helping students become sophisticated and thoughtful music listeners, performers, and composers. Students will learn to recognize, understand, describe, and produce the basic elements and processes of performed and notated music. To become proficient with these skills, students will learn the basic components of rhythm and written notation; understand pitch as it relates to chromaticism and the creation of scales; learn about harmony through chord structures and basic voice leading through part writing.

Course Repetition:

Music Theory can be taken a second time as AP Music Theory with an additional weekly course meeting (Fridays) to prepare for the aural/oral portion of the AP exam.