The Music department offers an opportunity for all interested students to pursue an activity that will develop their individual abilities and give them ample opportunities for growth, understanding and expression as they explore these musical activities.
Courses are scheduled so that any student can participate in any combination of BOTH instrumental and vocal ensembles. Students wishing to participate in any combination of band, orchestra, or chorus should enroll in the appropriate course as described.
Certain students may compete for participation in district, regional and state performance festivals. Various groups are required to perform in school concerts and may be involved in school shows.
CONCERT CHORALE
This course is open to all students in all grades. The goal of this course is to develop the basic vocal technique and choral ensemble skills necessary to perform major choral works. Students are required to sing in six major concerts per year.
CHAMBER SINGERS
This is a select choral ensemble, which maintains a high level of musicianship. A commitment to musical excellence and communication is required for this program of choral technique and literature. The course provides opportunities for solo and small ensemble experiences. Poise and stage presence are emphasized. The goal of this course is to develop advanced choral singing techniques and to perform appropriate major choral chamber music.
CHORAL MAJOR
The student participates in all aspects of the Concert Chorale and Chamber Singers courses and fulfills all of the expectations for those ensembles. Open to Chamber Singers who are not in Wind Ensemble or String Ensemble.
CONCERT BAND
Prerequisites: Ability to play a standard band instrument; year end grade of B or better in HMS Concert Band, audition for students who were not HMS band members; attendance at band camp prior to the opening of school in the fall; participation in the marching band at football games and community events. (Exact times and dates for band camp will be announced.) Participation in band is designed to develop a greater understanding of music through study and performance of a wide variety of band literature. Performances include football games, parades, pep rallies and concerts.
WIND ENSEMBLE
Prerequisite: Selection through audition only. Group instrumentation is based on standard wind ensemble instrumentation and may change slightly from year to year based on qualifications of those who audition. Students who are not selected for the wind ensemble will have the opportunity to participate as a member of the concert band. Attendance at band camp prior to the opening of school in the fall and participation in the marching band at football games and community events is required. Participation in wind ensemble is designed for exemplary musicians to develop a greater understanding of music study and performance of a wide variety of advanced band literature.
BAND MAJOR
The student participates in all aspects of the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble courses and fulfills all of the expectations for those ensembles. Open to wind ensemble members who are not in the Chamber Singers. Course outcomes are the same as those listed for Concert Band and Wind Ensemble.
STRING ORCHESTRA
Students are eligible to audition for participation in Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) orchestra festivals and may perform in various chamber ensembles. Students must be enrolled in BOTH MU1720 and MU1746.
STRING ENSEMBLE
Course outcomes and expectations include: Study and perform a variety of literature in concerts throughout the year, may perform in various chamber ensembles, develop appropriate conduct of a musician or of an audience member, demonstrate technical proficiency on a stringed instrument, recognize and critically listen to various works of orchestra literature. Students are eligible to audition for participation in PMEA orchestra festivals and may perform in various chamber ensembles.
STRING MAJOR
The student participates in all aspects of the String Orchestra and String Ensemble courses and fulfills all of the expectations for those ensembles. This option is open to String Ensemble members who are not in Chamber Singers.
INSTRUMENTAL/CHORAL MAJOR
Students must have the ability to play a standard band instrument, year end grade of B or better in both instrumental and choral music for the previous school year for students who attended the Haverford Townships Schools, and acceptance into the choral ensembles through audition with the choral music teacher. Students are allowed to register for this course only with the permission of each of the appropriate ensemble directors.
Students will participate in all of the events for the following possible combination of courses: Concert Band and Chamber Singers, Wind Ensemble and Concert Chorale, String Orchestra and Chamber Singers, String Ensemble and Concert Chorale.
SECTIONAL REHEARSALS
Students are evaluated and receive specialized instruction in a smaller group setting. Students cannot receive credit for, nor be enrolled in, a sectional unless enrolled in the corresponding course.
Music Electives:
Jazz Ensemble
Digital Recording 1
Digital Recording 2
The History of American Popular Music.
Musicianship 1: Piano Lab (formerly Electronic Piano Lab)
Musicianship 2: Basic Music Theory (formerly Songwriting by Computer)
Musicianship 3: Advanced Music Theory and Composition (formerly Music Composition and MIDI) | 
