Academics

Course Highlights

Here are a few of the classes offered in our Music Department. 

• Symphonic Band: Through this course, students have the opportunity to collaborate with other student musicians in a performance ensemble. In this ensemble, which consists of a variety of band and orchestra instruments, students explore a variety of music genres and styles, representing different time periods and difficulty levels. They receive feedback to develop individual skills, and they are challenged to refine their individual performance within the ensemble, developing technique while preparing for multiple performances throughout the academic year. Students actively engage in the development of their musicianship through planning, preparing, practicing, refining, evaluating, and connecting through the repertoire. Performance opportunities include two or three school performances throughout the year and may also include auditions, honors festivals, trips/performance festivals. As this course is student-centered, performers’ interest in and knowledge of musical work(s), understanding of their own technical skill, and the context for a performance, all influence the selection of repertoire. 

• ECE Music Appreciation: Students enrolled in UCONN ECE Music Appreciation will be participating in a UCONN music course for three college credits. College credit will be awarded by the University of Connecticut upon successful completion of the coursework within the standards established by the UCONN Music Department. Students will receive a transcript that indicates credits earned. In this course, students explore the development of Western music (Europe and the Americas) for an historical time period spanning more than six hundred years. Coursework includes an analysis of the cultural influences, the trends, and the practices that led to the development of specific musical styles, including key composers and their most influential works. Styles and genres covered will include Classical, Jazz, Electronic, Rock, Opera, and Contemporary. Students will learn important academic vocabulary, develop a resource/catalog of  specific compositions from each time period, and demonstrate understanding of the role of music within the larger context of society. ECE Music coursework emphasizes the importance of personal wellness, creativity, and feeding the soul and spirit through artistic endeavors.