Music Department

    Choral Phone: 240-740-1351          Instrumental Phone: 240-740-1364 
    Click here to go to the Blake Music Site

    Staff

    Music Department

    - Choral/General Music
    -- Concert Choir, Piano, A Cappella Chorus, Vocal Ensemble, AP Music Theory

    - Choral/General Music
    -- Concert Choir, Guitar, Vocal Ensemble, EduCorps

     Jonathan Eising - Instrumental Music
    -- Marching Band, Percussion, Piano, Symphonic Band, Symphonic Orchestra

    Nikko Lopes- Instrumental Music
    -- Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Concert Orchestra, Music Technology, Piano

    Drew Gatlin - Instrumental Music
    -- TBA

    Courses

     

     

    A Cappella

    A Cappella choir is an auditioned small ensemble that performs highly challenging a cappella repertoire in a variety of genres. Advanced vocal techniques and sight-reading skills are required. A number of performances are given at school and within the community. This class is typically open to students in grades 11-12. An audition is required. This course may be repeated for credit. 

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    Concert Band

    For first semester, this course is for woodwind and brass players who are not in the Marching Band. For second semester, this course is designed to help students who play woodwind and brass instruments develop basic instrumental skills and an appreciation and understanding of music. This course is open to any students who would like to further their fundamental skills in musical performance on a woodwind or brass instrument. No audition is required however prior musical experience is highly recommended. Required public performances will include Fall, Winter and Spring concerts and festivals. Instruments will be furnished as available. Percussion students should not register for this class, and instead register for the appropriate percussion class unless they have permission from the teacher. 

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    Honors Concert Choir

    Concert Choir is an ensemble for students whose singing skills and musicianship demonstrate readiness to perform challenging repertoire. The class offers opportunities for students to sing in a variety of styles including all-male and all-female ensembles as well as full chorus. Students work to develop advanced sight reading skills and learn how to develop and integrate good vocal techniques while incorporating dance/movement. A number of performances are given at school and within the community. This class is typically open to students in grades 10-12 and an audition is required. Regardless of previous choral experience, 9th grade boys will be contacted to set up an appointment to determine appropriate chorus class placement. This provides young male singers the opportunity to sing along side experienced, changed voices. This course may be repeated for credit. 

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    Concert Orchestra

    This course is designed to help students who play string instruments develop basic instrumental skills and an appreciation and understanding of music. This course is open to any students who would like to further their fundamental skills in musical performance on a string instrument. No audition is required however prior musical experience is highly recommended. Required public performances will include Fall, Winter and Spring concerts and festivals. Instruments will be furnished as available.

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    Guitar 1

    This course is open to all students regardless of music background. Students learn beginning guitar technique including selected major, minor, and seventh chords; basic finger picks and strums; and tuning technique in the Blake Music Technology Laboratory. In a setting that allows students to receive assistance as needed, students develop practice habits so they will be able to progress independently. Students will use a combination of traditional instruction and music technology to learn music notation, ear training, and sight reading. Music theory and historical perspective are studied as they relate to guitar. This course may be repeated for credit.

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    Guitar 2

    This course is open to all students who have successfully completed Guitar 1A & 1B or have previous guitar training. Students continue to develop practice habits so they will be able to progress independently and refine their guitar performance skills in the Blake Music Technology Laboratory. Students will use a combination of traditional instruction and music technology to continue their development of music notation, ear training, and sight reading skills. Music theory and historical perspective are studied as they relate to guitar. This course may be repeated for credit. 

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    Jazz Ensemble 

    Enrollment in this class is by audition only and students must enroll for both semesters. The Jazz Ensemble is limited in instrumentation to saxophone, trombone, trumpet, bass, piano, guitar and percussion. This is one of the highest performance level classes at Blake. Students will extend their skills and study of jazz interpretation and improvisation, jazz harmony and theory, and the historical influences on jazz as it developed into an American art form. Numerous evening and weekend performances are required to meet course objectives.

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    Marching Band

    Marching band is only offered in the fall. This is the most popular and visible performing ensemble at Blake HS and has been recognized locally and nationally for excellence. The mission of the Blake High School Roaring Bengals Marching Band is to make a positive difference in the lives of its students by providing musical and visual experiences and performances, and to assist students in achieving their potential as they develop confidence, cooperation, leadership, responsibility, and high standards of excellence and character. There are required weekly evening rehearsals. Weekend performances will be used as evaluation tools, to include five home football games, community parades, and marching competitions. To be a member, attendance at a one week band camp is required which takes place two weeks prior to the first day of school. Student Service Learning Hours will be awarded for service beyond the school day. Transportation/field trip, uniform, and clothing fees will be assessed. Only woodwind and brass players in the Marching Band should register for this class. Percussion and Color Guard students should not register for this class, and instead register for the appropriate percussion/guard class unless they have permission from the teacher. 

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    Music Technology

    Students learn the techniques of electronic sound production and manipulation, and apply them to create their own compositions. They use specialized electronic equipment and computer software to synthesize, modify, and record sounds. Students analyze and evaluate examples of electronic music, as well as multiarts works featuring electronic music sources. Career options in electronic music are explored. 

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    AP Music Theory

    Students with strong interest and preparation in music will gain increased fluency in all aspects of music notation while strengthening skills in tonal memory and aural analysis. Practice in sight-singing, dictation, composition, improvisation, and score analysis will prepare the students to meet the requirements of the College Board for advanced placement in music theory. It is expected that students enroll for both semesters. Students should have at least one credit in another high school music class before attempting this course.

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    Percussion

    Pianists, new students, or students with limited or no musical background are welcome. Percussion Ensemble is designed as a small group of performing musicians on various instruments such as all sizes of drums, piano/synthesizer, mallet instruments, timpani, tonal basses, snares, set cymbals, and more. This ensemble will perform various works of the 20th and 21st century. Practice habits and music reading skills will be stressed. Performances are used as evaluative instruments (tests and quizzes). Drumsticks required and may be purchased at school.

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    Advanced Percussion

    Enrollment in this class is by audition only and opens to all percussionists (drummers) in grades 9-12. Students must have completed one year or more of band at the middle school or high school level. Music and Rhythm reading is a must for success. In addition, percussion ensemble is designed as a small group of performing musicians on various instruments such as all sizes of drums, piano/synthesizer, mallet instruments, timpani, tonal basses, snares, set, cymbals, and more. This ensemble will perform various works of the 20th and 21st century. Performances are used as evaluative instruments (tests and quizzes). Students who wish to be in the Drumline for the Roaring Bengals Marching Band should register for this class.

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    Piano 1

    This course is open to all students regardless of music background. Instruction in the Blake Music Technology Laboratory is designed to acquaint students with beginning piano technique. In a setting that allows students to receive assistance as needed, students develop practice habits so they will be able to progress independently. Students will use a combination of traditional instruction and music technology to learn music notation, keyboard harmony, and sight reading. Music theory and historical perspective are studied as they relate to piano. This course may be repeated for credit. 

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    Piano 2 

    This course is designed to build on the skills learned in Piano Lab 1. Instruction in the Blake Music Technology Laboratory is designed to extend playing technique to the intermediate and advanced levels. Students continue to develop practice habits so they will be able to progress independently. Students will use a combination of traditional instruction and the music technology to learn music notation, keyboard harmony, and sight reading. Music theory and historical perspective are studied as they relate to piano. This course may be repeated for credit. 

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    Symphonic Band

    Symphonic Band is offered in the spring only and students should be enrolled in Marching Band or Concert Band during the fall semester. Symphonic Band is the highest level wind ensemble for woodwind and brass players at Blake. Placement in this ensemble is determined by audition and is limited to specific instrumentation needs of the group. Students explore a wide variety of musical styles and perform at the highest possible proficiency level (grades 4-6). Performances are used as evaluative instruments (tests and quizzes). The importance or consistent and effective practice habits continues to be stressed. This course may be repeated for credit. Several evening performances and rehearsals are required as an integral part of the curriculum. An audition is required.

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    Symphonic Orchestra

    Symphonic Orchestra is the highest level, large ensemble for string players at Blake. Placement in this ensemble is determined by audition and is limited to specific instrumentation needs of the group. Students explore a wide variety of musical styles and perform at the highest possible proficiency level (grades 4-6). Performances are used as evaluative instruments (tests and quizzes). The importance or consistent and effective practice habits continues to be stressed. This course may be repeated for credit. Several evening performances and rehearsals are required as an integral part of the curriculum. An audition is required.

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    Vocal Ensemble 

    Students learn the fundamentals of choral singing and develop sight-reading skills through a variety of choral literature from various cultures and historical eras. Membership is open to all students; previous choral singing experience is not required. Students learn to appreciate and understand the historic and cultural contexts of music. Several performances are given at school. This course may be repeated for credit.

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    Last Updated 12/20/2018