Awarded best private high school in Marin.

Music

The Marin Catholic Music Department is a comprehensive program of musical expression that is built into the cultural and religious fiber of the Marin Catholic community. Students will develop the skills to prepare themselves for the professional, academic, and religious worlds. Achieving this goal requires a multifaceted approach. First, the students will receive instruction in musicianship, music theory, and technique from MC music teachers and industry professionals alike. Second, students will prepare for life as a musician in the 21st century. They will be immersed in the music technologies of today, and apply those skills in original, contemporary, and multidisciplinary music ensembles. Exposure to a myriad of styles and performing opportunities are emphasized as a key component of development. Finally, students will be empowered with ownership of, and leadership within, the music program. Students can organize their own groups, and design and run their own shows. With this set of skills and experiences, graduates will be ready to succeed in both academia and the music industry.

CLASSES

List of 12 items.

Music I: Instrumental Music Ensemble

ID = 0444
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Instrumental Music is a beginning music class designed to cover a variety of musical concepts in order to prepare students for upper-level music courses. The course will guide students through a sequence of instruction that will allow them to understand the elements and principles of music with regards to performance, musicianship, historical context, and music theory. This class is open to students learning a variety of music instruments. No prior music experience is required.
Prerequisite: Students must meet with the respective music teacher before the end of the current school year in order to choose a primary instrument to study.
Music I: Music Technology I

ID = 0434
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Music technology is a course designed to prepare students for the 21st century world of technology and how it is interrelated to music. Students will learn how to use different types of electronic music computer software to write and record their own compositions. Students will also learn how to market their compositions through the use of online resources such as websites, blogs, and social media outlets. Students will also receive training in live sound techniques that will be directly applied at Music Department concerts and events. Another area of emphasis is recording arts. Students will work with music ensembles and learn how to record a performance with digital music software, mix, master, and promote the recording and ensemble online. This course is open to all students, no prior music experience is required.
Prerequisite: Students must meet with the respective music teacher before the end of the current school year in order to establish a baseline music skill level.
Music II: Chamber Ensemble

ID = 0432
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Chamber Orchestra is an upper level instrumental ensemble directed towards the continued study for students with an interest in folk, classical, traditional, and contemporary music forms. The goal of this course is to develop instrumental and ensemble performance skills. Students will increase their individual abilities in the areas of: technical facility on their instrument, intonation, sight reading, rhythm studies, classical music theory, audiation, and musicianship. Also, as an ensemble students will increase their knowledge in the areas of: blend, harmony, awareness, and rehearsal and performance etiquette. Coursework will also include chamber ensemble composition and arrangement projects.
Prerequisite: Placement in this ensemble is by audition only. This course may be repeated for credit.
Music II: Jazz Ensemble

ID = 0435
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Jazz Ensemble is an advanced instrumental ensemble that focuses primarily on the study and performance of jazz, latin, afro-cuban, and funk music. A heavy emphasis will be placed on each student’s understanding and practice of solo and collective improvisation. Students will increase their individual abilities in the areas of: technical facility on their instrument, intonation, sight reading, rhythmic studies, sight singing, audiation, and jazz theory. Students will be encouraged to further express themselves through individual and group song arrangements, original compositions, and jazz combos. Another area of emphasis will be placed in gaining a deeper understanding of ensemble culture concepts such as: rehearsal etiquette, harmony, awareness, blend, music communication, mindfulness, musicianship, and performance etiquette.
Prerequisite: Placement in this ensemble is by audition only. This course may be repeated for credit.
Music II: Music Technology II

ID = 0434
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A continuation of Music Technology I with an increased emphasis on live performance. This course is designed to prepare students for the 21st century world of technology and how it is interrelated to music. Students will learn how to use different types of electronic music computer software to write and record their own compositions. Students will also learn how to market their compositions through the use of online resources such as websites, blogs, and social media outlets. Students will also receive training in live sound techniques that will be directly applied at Music Department concerts and events. Another area of emphasis is recording arts. Students will work with music ensembles and learn how to record a performance with digital music software, mix, master, and promote the recording and ensemble online.
Prerequisite: Students must complete 1 year in Music Technology I in order to be eligible for this course. This course may be repeated for credit.
Music II: Contemporary Music Ensemble I: Vocal

ID = 0442
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Contemporary I: Vocal is a group of singers of all ability levels. This group is open to anyone with an interest in singing. The repertoire for this ensemble will include: popular, traditional, folk, sacred and world music. Students will learn beginning voice technique, music theory, musicianship, and ear training, as well as how to arrange and critique their own work. This course is taught in conjunction with Contemporary I: Instrumental.
Prerequisite: Students must meet with the respective music teacher before the end of the current school year in order to establish a baseline vocal skill level.
Music II: Contemporary Music Ensemble I: Instrumental

ID = 0443
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This course will primarily focus on modern popular music, as well as original compositions written, arranged, recorded, and performed by student ensembles. Students will expand their knowledge in the following areas: classical and jazz theory, musicianship, arranging and composition techniques. Students will also learn and apply concepts of music technology in the areas of online marketing, live sound and recording techniques. This course is taught in conjunction with Contemporary I: Vocal.
Prerequisite: Placement in this ensemble is by audition only.
Music III: Contemporary Music Ensemble II: Vocal

ID = 0431
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Contemporary II: Vocal is an advanced group of singers that will focus on improving vocal production techniques, soloing, ensemble sound, music communication and awareness, and music theory knowledge. Students will learn how to arrange and critique their own work. Choral repertoire will include all genres and music of any era and any language. This course is taught in conjunction with Contemporary II: Instrumental.
Prerequisite: Placement in this ensemble is by audition only. Students must complete at least 1 year in Contemporary Vocal I in order to be eligible for this ensemble. This course may be repeated for credit.
Music III: Contemporary Music Ensemble II: Instrumental

ID = 0433
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A continuation of Contemporary Music Ensemble I with an increased emphasis on student composition, recording, and live performance. This course will primarily focus on modern popular music, as well as original compositions written, arranged, recorded, and performed by student ensembles. Students will expand their knowledge in the following areas: classical and jazz theory, musicianship, arranging and composition techniques. Students will also learn and apply concepts of music technology in the areas of online marketing, live sound and recording techniques. This course is taught in conjunction with Contemporary II: Vocal.
Prerequisite: Placement in this ensemble is by audition only. Students must complete at least 1 year in Contemporary Music I: Instrumental in order to be eligible for this ensemble. This course may be repeated for credit.
Music III: Honors Music Theory I

ID = 447
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This course will be introducing and developing the student in musicianship, theory, musical materials, and procedures. It may emphasize one aspect of music, such as harmony; more often, however, it integrates aspects of melody, harmony, texture, rhythm, form, musical analysis, elementary composition, and, to some extent, history and style. Musicianship skills such as dictation and other listening skills, sight-singing, and keyboard harmony are considered an important part of the theory course. The student’s ability to read and write musical notation is fundamental to such a course. It is also strongly recommended that the student will have acquired strong performance skills in voice or on an instrument. This course is a self-motivated class and will require daily note taking and neat handwriting skills.

Prerequisite: Students must meet with the respective music teacher before the end of the current school year in order to establish a baseline music skill level.
Music IV: Honors Music Theory II

ID= 448
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Honors Music Theory II is an academic music class that covers the fundamentals of the western tonal system in addition to contemporary recording and sound arts techniques. The primary goal of this class is to teach music literacy, develop mastery in reading and writing traditional counterpoint and chorales, as well as contemporary song forms. The course follows the evolution of the western tonal system, from counterpoint and 4-part chorale harmony, on to modern genres such as jazz, rock, pop, and folk. There is an emphasis on analyzing written and recorded music, and completing regular written and creative assignments, where these concepts are consistently put into practice. There is a significant amount of ear training and musicianship development, as the concepts covered in lecture will be applied to singing and playing music.

Prerequisite: Students must meet with the respective music teacher before the end of the current school year in order to establish a baseline music skill level.
Music IV: Music Department Internship

ID = 449
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Advanced level musicians may apply for an internship with a specific Music Department faculty member. This is an independent study course with a music teacher supervisor. This course must be taken in conjunction with a performing ensemble. Areas of emphasis can include: arranging, composition, recording, career development, along with various other department coordinating responsibilities.
Prerequisite: Student must be concurrently enrolled in a level II or higher music course and have consent of the internship teacher advisor.

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675 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Kentfield CA 94904 Phone: 415-464-3898 | Email: admissions@marincatholic.org