Course Title: Beginning
Strings
Instructor: Mr. Todd Montemayor "Mr.
M"
This
course is for those who wish to learn how to play the violin, viola, cello, or
bass. The students will learn proper technique for posture, holding, and
playing the instrument. Furthermore, aside from learning the intricacies of
each instrument, the students will establish a strong foundation of music
theory by being music literate. By the end of the school year, each student
will be comfortable playing their instrument and will know how to read basic
music with dynamics and articulations. Traditionally with all string courses,
students will be expected to master a set number of scales and arpeggios by the
end of the year.
Students
in this course will be required to either rent or own their instrument. Encore
has a limited inventory of violins and violas which will be made available to
the most promising students (determined by application and assessment). Select
students will be allowed to play cello or bass (provided by Encore). Rentals or
"Rent-to-Owns" can be arranged at our preferred music retailer: DB
Music & Sound in Hesperia. Please see Mr. M for more details.
Course Title: String
Orchestra (Intermediate)
Instructor: Mr. Todd Montemayor
"Mr. M"
This
course is for students who wish to continue their violin, viola, cello, or bass
studies. The students will reinforce and continue to develop proper technique
for posture, holding, and playing the instrument. The students in this class
will be expected to know how to read music with dynamics and articulations.
More advanced music concepts including positions and phrasing will be
introduced at this level. By the end of the school year, each student will be
confident in their playing and will know how to sight read music at a
medium-easy to medium level. Students in this ensemble who show exceptional
improvement by the end of the year will be recommended to enter into the
advanced level orchestra. Traditionally with all string courses, students will
be expected to master a set number of scales and arpeggios by the end of the
year.
Violin and
viola students in this course will be required to either rent or own their
instrument. Cellos and basses will be assigned for student use. Encore has a
limited inventory of instruments intended for beginners, but can be made
available to students in special circumstances (determined on a case-by-case
basis). Rentals or "Rent-to-Owns" can be arranged at our preferred
music retailer: DB Music & Sound in Hesperia. Please see Mr. M for more
details.
Course Title: Chamber
Orchestra (Advanced)
Instructor: Mr. Todd Montemayor
"Mr. M"
This course is for students who
have an authoritative command of their instrument: violin, viola, cello, or
bass. The students in this class will be fluent in reading music comfortably
above and below their respective staff as well as in third position. Not only
will the students play as a conducted ensemble, but the class will periodically
divide into trios, quartets, or quintets, depending on the instrumentation
available. By the end of the school year, the students will have performed a
through mixture of quality classical, romantic, and contemporary music
literature in an intensive music setting. Traditionally with all string
courses, students will be expected to master a set number of scales and
arpeggios by the end of the year.
Violin and viola students will
be required to own or rent their instrument. Cellos and basses, if not owned,
will be assigned for student use. String instrument accessories or repair
should be done at our pred music retailer: DB Music & Sound in
Hesperia. Please see Mr. M for more details.
Course Title: Symphony Orchestra
(Intermediate-Advanced)
Instructor: Mr. Todd Montemayor "Mr. M"
This course is for students who
have a command of their qualifying symphony appropriate instrument:
piccolo/flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba,
percussion, violin, viola, cello, or bass. The students in this class will be
fluent in reading music comfortably above and below their respective staff. By
the end of the school year, the students will have performed a thorough mixture
of quality classical, romantic, and contemporary music literature, including
new commissioned works, in an intensive music setting.
The students in this course
will comprise the "Encore Symphony Orchestra" and will perform in 2
concerts per semester and participate in festival adjudication. Furthermore,
this ensemble will serve as the flagship group of Encore's orchestra program
and will set the standard for advanced-level performance that younger students
will look up to. The Encore Symphony Orchestra will take part in recruiting
events and community performances.
Course Title: Drum Line
Instructor: Mr. Todd Montemayor "Mr. M"
This course is designed to
develop the skills and knowledge that will enhance your understanding and
enjoyment of music. The course is for those who are committed to the
development of percussion skills and wish to enhance their performance. This
ensemble requires all students to know how to read music containing
intermediate to advanced level rhythms. Students in this class will be held to
physically demanding performance standards. Students will also build upon a
foundation of music theory through which they will aesthetically value the
aural art. They will also have memorized several cadences for use through the
year.
The “Pirate Drum Line” will be
vehicle for school spirit and excitement at school functions.
Course Title: Beginning Band
Instructor: Mr. Cameron Nabhan "Mr. N"
Beginning band is a one-year course designed to teach beginning instrumental skills to students with no, or very little, previous experience. In this course you will learn : to assemble and maintain your instrument, produce a good quality sound/tone on your instrument, read and write traditional music notation, learn performance skills and etiquette, and basic music theory. Students in this course will be required to either rent or own their instrument. The following instruments are available to start in beginning band: flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, french horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion (snare drum and bell kit). Students who are unable to rent an instrument or who choose to play Tuba, Baritone, Bass Trombone, and Bass Clarinet may be eligible to check-out a school instrument. Beginning band has one performance a semester.
Course Title: Intermediate Band
Instructor: Mr. Cameron Nabhan "Mr. N"
Intermediate Band is a one-year course designed to teach intermediate instrumental skills to students with one or two years previous experience. In this course you will learn: to maintain your instrument optimally, to produce a good quality tone on your instrument, read intermediate level music (Grade 2/3), refine performance skills and etiquette, and music theory. Intermediate band participates in one concert a semester, and one regional festival that occurs in the spring.
Course Title: Concert Band
Instructor: Mr. Cameron Nabhan "Mr. N"
Concert Band is a one-year course designed for students who have a command of wind, brass, and percussion instruments. In this class you will be comfortable with reading music above and below your instrument's respective staff. By the end of the school year, you will have performed a thorough mixture of quality band literature in a constructive music setting. Concert band participates in one concert a semester, and one regional festival that occurs in the spring.
Course Title: Symphonic Winds
Instructor: Mr. Cameron Nabhan "Mr. N"
Symphonic Winds is a one-year course that is for students who have an advanced, authoritative command of wind, brass, or percussion instrument. In this class you will be fluent in reading music comfortably above and below your respective staff. Not only will you play in a conducted ensemble, but the class will periodically divide into chamber ensembles, depending on the instrumentation available. By the end of the school year, you will have performed a thorough mixture of advanced quality band literature, including new commissioned works, in an intensive music setting. Symphonic Winds participates in one concert a semester, one regional festival that occurs in the spring, and community/school recruitment tours.
Course Title: Jazz Band I
Instructor: Mr. Cameron Nabhan "Mr. N"
Jazz Band I is designed for students who have at least one year of jazz experience, and possess intermediate instrumental skills. In Jazz Band I you will have the opportunity to learn and perform the following styles of music: pop, swing, funk, Latin, and rock. Creativity, improvisation, transcribing melodies and rhythms, and refined aural skills are fostered in this band. It is expected that you will practice on a daily basis to master the jazz style and to develop the art of improvisation. In this course you will: perform various styles of jazz music (Grade II to Grade IV), demonstrate proper playing position: posture and embouchure formation, produce a quality and rich tone on your instrument, demonstrate a variety of jazz articulations, and transcribe and perform various jazz melodies and rhythms. Jazz Band I will perform in one concert a semester, school events such as Carnival and school rallies, competitive jazz festivals in the spring, and other community "gigs" that become available.
Course Title: Jazz Band II
Instructor: Mr. Cameron Nabhan "Mr. N"
Jazz Band II is the advanced jazz band at Encore High School. This band is designed for students who have at least three years jazz experience; by audition only. In Jazz Band II you will master and perform each style of jazz: swing, funk, Latin, rock, and pop. Creativity, improvisation, transcribing melodies and rhythms, and refined aural skills are fostered in this band. It is expected that you will practice on a daily basis to master the jazz style and to develop the art of improvisation. In this course you will: perform various styles of jazz music (Grade IV to Grade VI), demonstrate proper playing position, produce a quality and rich tone on your instrument, demonstrate a variety of jazz articulations, transcribe and perform various jazz melodies and rhythms, improvise melodies over simple and complex chord changes, develop knowledge of jazz history, and become proficient on all blues scales and modes. Jazz Band II performs frequently throughout the year at school events, concerts, competitive festivals, and other community gigs.
Course Title: Music Theory
Instructor: Mr. Cameron Nabhan "Mr. N"
This course is designed to develop musical skills that will lead to a thorough understanding of music composition and music theory. This class is a serious academic-centered class within the field of music, and is most appropriate for high school juniors and seniors. This class is a requirement for conservatory cords in music (vocal or instrumental) for graduation. The emphasis will be on the rules of theory and composition, ear training, and sight singing. While the main emphasis is placed on music of the common period (1600-1750), music of other stylistic periods will also be studied. Students are prepared to take the AP Music Theory Exam, if applicable, when they have completed the course. Students planning to major in music in college may be able to enroll in an advanced music theory course, depending on individual colleges AP policies.
Course
Title: Guitar 1
This course will continue the study of the guitar, moving into upper positions,
and more complex music. More keys will be explored, as well as moveable-barré
chords, the circle of fifths. The curriculum will include
both flat picking technique and basic classical finger style technique.
This course is designed to
develop skills and knowledge that will enhance one’s understanding and
enjoyment of music. It is for students who wish to learn to play a band
instrument and to become a part of the award-winning Encore Band Program.
Instruction in flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, horn,
trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion (drums, mallets, auxiliary) is
offered. A reasonable amount of practice is required of all students.
This is a
one-year course designed for students who have not played guitar, but are
willing and dedicated to learning. The course will cover fundamentals of guitar
playing and note reading on guitar using standard notation. The class will
focus on playing first position, major, minor and dominant seventh chords in
first position. Both flat picking technique and beginning classical finger
style technique will be introduced, and students will become familiar with
different playing musical styles, including basic blues. In the second
semester, the class will begin studying upper positions.
Course Title: Guitar 2
Pre-
Requisite: Guitar 1 class or prior experience playing and reading music on
guitar, with a thorough knowledge of the notes in first position. Instructor’s
permission needed for entrance.
Course Title: Guitar 3
Pre-Requisite: Intermediate Guitar Class (Level 2), or have substantially
covered the same course work in private study, with a thorough knowledge of the
notes in first and fifth position. Instructor’s permission needed for entrance.
The Guitar
Class 3 is a one-year course designed for students who have complete the In the
Guitar Class 3, students will learn significantly more complex pieces, from
first to twelfth position, leading towards college level material, in a
wide-variety of styles. Areas covered will include advanced chord playing and
harmony, use of scales and modes in improvisation, ear training, solo guitar
and ensemble pieces.
Course Title: Piano I
This class
is for the students who have never taken piano classes or lessons. This class
will focus on basic music theory, note reading, counting rhythm (eighth,
quarter, half, dotted half and whole note and rest), and piano techniques
(legato and staccato). The piano is known as "king of instruments"
due to its tonal range, broad dynamic range and its ability to be used as a
solo instrument as well as accompaniment for any other instruments including
singers. Students will be able to experience the concepts of piano. This class
is meant to introduce music and wake their interests not only for piano but
also for other instruments. It gives a broader experience as to what music
really is and that it entails. Music teaches students to practice being patient
not only in class but in everyday life.
Course Title: Piano II
This class
is for the students who already completed piano I or equivalent. This class
will focus on music theory, note reading (with multiple ledger lines), counting
rhythm (sixteenth, dotted eighth and triplet) and piano techniques in early
intermediate level. Students will be encouraged to bring their choice of songs
and work in the class. They are strongly recommended to participate in our
piano recital.
Course Title: Piano III
This class
is for the students who already completed piano I and II or equivalent. This
class will focus on advanced music theory with all the chords, note reading
(multiple ledger lines and octave sign), basic improvisation, counting rhythm
(compound rhythm, thirty second etc.) and advanced piano techniques (4 octave
scales will be played together in every class and required to memorize all the
major and minor scales). Students will be encouraged to bring their choice of
songs and work in the class. They are required to participate in our piano
recital. They will be assigned to play at least one ensemble piece in each
semester (piano duet or accompaniment for other instrument or singer). The
work/book will be assigned individually to purchase.
Course Title: Piano IV
This class
is for the students who already completed all piano I, II and III or
equivalent. This class is more for college preparation and students will work
on the repertoires that most college require for their audition. This class
will focus on advanced music theory, basic music history, piano techniques
(Hanon 60 finger exercises) and basic composition. Students will be asked to
play at least one major work by a classic well known composer in each semester
and are required to perform in the piano recitals in both semesters. Also they
will be assigned to play with an ensemble group and perform in the advanced
music recital. The work/book will be assigned individually to purchase.
