reading, ear training, and musicianship skills, as well as exploration and development of vocal production techniques and skills necessary for achieving excellence in performance. Major concerts per year include: the CSG Thanksgiving Program, Fall, Winter, and Spring Concerts, and District/State contest (dependent on eligibility). In order to participate in the OMEA Solo and Ensemble and large group contests, enrollment in this course is mandatory. VOCAL ENSEMBLE: THE GRACE NOTES Full-credit, graded course • Open to Forms X, XI, and XII; this course may be taken more than once, each time for credit. • Prerequisites: Must audition; departmental signature required; concurrent enrollment in Concert Choir. • Full year, 1.0 credit • Costs: Students purchase their own outfit accessories and are also responsible for covering the cost of trips and honor and all-state choir tuition and expenses; limited need-based funding is sometimes available. The Grace Notes offers qualifying students an opportunity to learn and perform an advanced level of vocal repertoire from many styles and periods. Students will focus on the skills and musicianship required for consistent excellence in performance, as well as further development of advanced vocal techniques. The performance commitment is essential and students will be expected to represent CSG in many different settings, including competition. Interested students may participate in other events as well, including OMEA events such as Solo and Ensemble and AllState Choir.
STRING ENSEMBLE Partial-credit, graded course • Open to Forms IX, X, XI, and XII; this course may be taken more than once, each time for credit. • Prerequisites: Intermediate or advanced experience on a string instrument. • Full year, 0.5 credit • Costs: Students who do not own their own instruments may rent them through private music companies or may use a school instrument, at no cost, when available. Students are responsible for covering the cost of trips and honor and all state band tuition and expenses; limited need-based funding is sometimes available. String Ensemble offers an opportunity for string students to continue improving their technical and musical skills in a performance based setting. Technical areas to be covered include: advanced key signatures, complex rhythm reading, upper position playing, vocabulary, and tone development. In addition, musical skills such as phrasing, balance, intonation, and blend will be developed. Materials will include scales and selected etudes, as well as string orchestra literature appropriate for the playing level of the ensemble. Music of the major stylistic periods will be included in the repertoire of the ensemble. Several in-school and evening concerts will be scheduled throughout the year. Attendance is required at all String Ensemble events. In order to participate in the OMEA events such as the South-Central Region Orchestra and Solo and Ensemble Contests, enrollment in this course is mandatory.
SELECT STRING ENSEMBLE Full-credit, graded course • Open to Forms IX, X, XI, and XII; this course may be taken more than once, each time for credit • Prerequisites: Advanced experience on a string instrument; departmental signature required; concurrent enrollment in String Ensemble. • Must audition; rising IX and new Upper School students may audition in the spring for the following fall, or they may audition at the beginning of the fall semester and add it to their schedules during the add/drop period. • Full year, 1.0 credit • Costs: Students who do not own their own instruments may rent them through private music companies or may use a school instrument, at no cost, when available. Students are responsible for covering the cost of trips and adjudicated events; limited need-based funding is sometimes available. The Upper School Select String Ensemble will offer dedicated, advanced, and advancing string students an opportunity for increased musical challenges within a smaller chamber music setting. Students will have the opportunity to sharpen their musical, technical, and collaborative rehearsal skills by rehearsing and performing chamber music. Students in the Select String Ensemble will represent CSG by performing within the school and larger community serving as music ambassadors for Columbus School for Girls. CONCERT BAND Partial-credit, graded course • Open to Forms IX, X, XI, and XII; this course may be taken more than once, each time for credit. • Prerequisites: Intermediate
Upper School Curriculum Guide 2022-2023 - Page 13
