From the beautiful vocal nuances of the Honors Chorus to the soulful sounds of the Jazz Ensemble, music thrives at Bishop Guertin. With six large performing groups, including a string orchestra, students are exposed to a wide variety of styles and genres and are encouraged to participate in multiple ensembles.
Performing not only for our school community but for the community at large, our student-musicians can be found playing at athletic events, parades, charitable events, music festivals, and other schools. As a whole, the Music Department combines to offer more than 40 performances, both formal and informal, throughout each school year. In addition to performances with BG ensembles, our musicians have participated in the Clark Terry/UNH Jazz Festival and the UMass Amherst Honor Bands as well as the NHMEA All-State Festival, Jazz All-State Festival, Solo and Ensemble Festival, and Large Group Festival. Students have also performed with the NAfME All-National Ensembles.
For the non-performer, BG offers various elective classes, including the basics of music theory, the history of popular music and music technology.
Music Curriculum
Music Arts
Band (951) Grade 9 – 12 Full year 1 credit
Musical interpretation, reading proficiency, instrumental technique, and ensemble playing are the basic concepts covered in this performance-based ensemble. Musicians perform in both the Concert Band as well as the Cardinal Marching Band. This course has several outside of school commitments, including fall football games, fall and spring parades, community-based performances, and traditional concert performances. Instrumental experience is required. Students are able and strongly encouraged to repeat this course for credit. Private instruction is also recommended. Enrollment for the year is preferred.
Band Honors (952) Grade 10 – 12 Full year 1 credit
Students enrolled in Band Honors must fulfill quarterly responsibilities in addition to those prescribed in the Band course. These responsibilities may include performing individually and/or in chamber groups at various school and community functions as well as attending approved outside of school performances. Private instruction is strongly encouraged. Band Honors is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors only. Those not currently enrolled in Band Honors must maintain an A- in Band for eligibility. Those currently enrolled in Band Honors must maintain a B average for the year in order to be eligible for the following school year. This course is only available to students who are enrolled in band for the full year.
Jazz Band (995) Grade 9 – 12 Full year 0.5 credit
Prerequisite: Approval of the band director
This performance-based ensemble rehearses at least twice a week after school. Studies are devoted to popular music of American heritage, ranging from early swing, blues, and ballads to contemporary works found in the jazz-rock idiom. Interpretation, style, and ensemble playing are emphasized. Participation in concerts or other performances is mandatory.
Chorus (963) Grade 9-12 Full year 1 credit
The Bishop Guertin Chorus is designed to enhance the vocal production and ability of all singers by developing a clear vocal tone for a choral setting and balance within two or more parts. This group will perform music of all genres from early music to contemporary pop. Students will participate in various group performances throughout the year, as well as solo opportunities. Some singing experience, and/or music reading experience, is preferred.
Green and Gold Choir Honors (964) Grade 10-12 Full year 1 credit
Prerequisite: Interview/audition and chorus director approval
The Bishop Guertin Green and Gold Choir is designed to enhance the vocal production and ability of all singers by developing a clear vocal tone for a choral setting and balance within three or more parts. This group will be challenged with difficult music, so the ability to read music is a must. Private instruction is strongly encouraged. Students will participate in various performances throughout the year, as well as small group opportunities. A service component is compulsory to fulfill the honors requirement in this course.
Monday Night Chorus (970) Grades 9-12 Full year 0.5 credit
Prerequisite: Approval of the chorus director
This performance-based choral group rehearses every Monday night for the full academic year. This is open to students who cannot fit Chorus into their schedule and would like the opportunity to perform with Chorus at their annual concerts. Participation in concerts or other performances is mandatory. This group is open to all students. Students in Monday Night Chorus will be considered full members of the choral program and are entitled to all opportunities/performances.
Orchestra (980) Grade 9 – 12 Full year 1 credit
Musical interpretation, reading proficiency, instrumental technique, and ensemble playing are the basic concepts covered in this performance-based ensemble. Performances will include the Christmas Concert, Pops Concert, and state or regional festivals. Instrumental experience on violin, viola, cello, or double bass is required. Students are strongly encouraged to repeat this course for credit. Enrollment for the year is preferred.
Orchestra Honors (982) Grade 10 – 12 Full year 1 credit
Prerequisite: Orchestra (A- or better required)
Students enrolled in Orchestra Honors must fulfill quarterly responsibilities in addition to those prescribed in the Orchestra course. These responsibilities will include performing individually and/or in chamber groups at various school and community functions, assuming leadership roles during rehearsals, and attending approved outside of school performances. Private instruction is strongly encouraged.
Guitar I (973) Grade 9 – 12 ½ year .5 credit
Intended for beginners, this course will introduce students to the basics of proper playing position, pick use, left hand technique, standard notation, chords, and tablature notation. Students will also learn basic performance skills in preparation for class performances. Class will be taught on acoustic guitar, but the skills covered will provide a foundation for playing any type of guitar.
Guitar II (974) Grade 9 – 12 ½ year .5 credit
Prerequisite: Guitar I (A- or better required) or teacher approval
Intended for those with intermediate knowledge of the guitar, such as open chords, notes on the six strings, and reading tablature, this course will introduce students to more advanced guitar techniques, alternate pick use, barre chords, music theory, songwriting, and finger-picking techniques. Students will also learn intermediate performance skills. Flamenco-style nylon stringed guitars will be provided, however students are encouraged to bring their own guitar from home, whether it is electric or acoustic.
Music: History and Application (913) Grade 9 – 12 ½ year 0.5 credit
Students in this course will learn fundamental concepts in music, including the history of music, and how to listen critically to a piece of music. An exploration of music’s history in society will be followed by a thorough investigation into the musical elements of rhythm, melody, and notation. Students will analyze songs, using various elements to ascertain a deeper meaning, before studying music in a myriad of media, and learning the basics of how to read and interpret music. This course includes many listening and writing assignments
History of American Popular Music (971) Grade 10 -12 ½ year 0.5 credit
Students in this course will explore the evolution of popular music in America, beginning with the development of vaudeville and jazz, the transition to rock and roll, and finally the far-reaching genre of pop music. Students will be able to identify important pieces of music, artists, composers, and industry figures, as well as the significance of each to the continued evolution of this important American art form. Students will learn how to listen critically to a piece of music in order to determine form, genre, era, and more. This course will include many listening and writing assignments, as well as critical discussions of music’s role in society.
Introduction to Music Technology (972) Grade 10-12 ½ year 0.5 credit
Prerequisite: Introduction to Music or approval of the teacher
Introduction to Music Technology is open to all students, however, high interest in and knowledge of instrumental/vocal music and/or music theory is integral to success in this class. The purpose of this course is to build students’ musical awareness through technology-based experiences. Students will develop musicianship in a 21st century environment by completing projects utilizing critical response, reading and notation, improvisation, and composition, as well as some singing and instrumental performance.
Music Theory (965) Grade 10 -12 ½ year 0.5 credit
Students in this course will learn fundamental concepts and techniques related to music theory. Specific concepts include pitch and rhythmic notation, intervals, scales, major and minor keys, triads, seventh chords, and voice leading. Instrumental or vocal experience and the ability to read basic music notation are highly recommended. This course includes daily homework assignments.
Applied Topics in Music Honors (967) Grade 11 -12 ½ year 0.5 credit
Prerequisite: Music Theory, concurrent enrollment in a music ensemble, music teacher recommendation, and department chair approval
This course is designed for advanced music students. Students will have the opportunity to explore more challenging musical concepts which may include advanced music theory, analysis, conducting, score study, ear training, as well as music history and literature. Students should have prior instrumental or vocal performance experience and understand the basics of pitch and rhythmic notation.
AP Music Theory (968) Grade 11 -12 Full year 1 credit
Prerequisite: Music Theory, concurrent enrollment in a music ensemble, music teacher recommendation, and department chair approval
An intense and extended study of advanced music theory concepts, this course follows a rigorous curriculum with specific requirements set forth by the College Board. This course is only for those students serious about music who may potentially be interested in studying music in college. Students will encounter functional harmony, modulation, form, and phrase structure and will expand their aural skills through ear training and sight-singing. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May.
Musical Theater Arts
The dramatic musical program allows students an opportunity to earn recognized credit for their time engaged in learning about the various production aspects of a dramatic musical. Students will be enrolled in the following courses by the respective teachers at the beginning of the production schedule beginning part way through Semester I. The following courses will earn an elective credit which will not fulfill a departmental graduation requirement nor count towards a student’s grade point average.
Musical Theater (990) Grade 9 – 12 Full year .5 credit
Students will learn how to act, sing, and dance in group or solo settings as they prepare for the annual spring musical production. Students will also learn about stage directions, stage etiquette, memorization tactics, group collaboration, and personal responsibility. Participation in rehearsals, tech week, and shows are mandatory. Assessments will be based on attendance at rehearsals, performance during rehearsals, and memorization of lines, music, and choreography. *Faculty members involved in the musical enroll students in this course in the fall.*
Pit Orchestra (991) Grade 9 – 12 Full year .5 credit
Pit Orchestra musicians will learn musical interpretation, improve their reading proficiency, and play in varied styles of music as they prepare for the annual spring musical production. Students will be assessed via attendance at mandatory after school rehearsals, the preparation of their assigned parts, and the care and return of the rented materials. *Faculty members involved in the musical enroll students in this course in the fall.*
Set Crew (992) Grade 9 – 12 Full year .5 credit
As they prepare for the annual spring musical, Set Crew students will learn how to design and draw sets to scale, build props using conventional and recycled materials, create specific color palettes to finish said props, and properly spike and move sets for performances. Participation in building workshops, tech week, and the full weekend of musical performances is mandatory. Students will be assessed via attendance at outside of school meetings, participation, effort, and attitude during their group creation of backdrops and props, the maintenance and return of classroom tools, and the organization and labeling of all pieces in props storage. *Faculty members involved in the musical enroll students in this course in the fall.*
Lighting and Sound Design (993) Grade 9 – 12 Full year .5 credit
Tech Crew students will learn the art of sound/lighting design and implementation for a live performance-based production. Students will learn how to capture sounds and amplify them so that audiences can hear it best, how sound works in a space, the physics of sound waves, and the devices associated with making this happen. Students will also learn the art of lighting design, the various types of lights, controllers, and protocols associated with lighting. Students would learn how to use lighting to add visual effects to enhance and transform a space and how a change of lighting can affect one scene to the next. Assessments will be performance-based as students demonstrate skill and knowledge through live and simulated events. Attendance at various outside-of-school events, including the annual spring musical, is required. *Faculty members involved in the musical enroll students in this course in the fall.*