MUSIC COURSES

The music department at Terry Fox believes that making music and art and participating in musical communities are essential for the development of the whole person. We offer students opportunities to be a part of a wide variety of music courses and communities at every level of ability.

Besides the fun, meaning, and community that comes from making music, music also supports student success in other areas of learning and parts of their lives.

Through music, students will:

gain a discipline, perseverance, and pride of accomplishment
are encouraged to be active participants in their work rather than just observers
become better at problem solving. They learn to be self-critical and self-correct
learn teamwork, co-operation, and leadership skills
gain confidence, self-expression, and communication skills
gain enhanced memory skills and concentration
form bonds of friendship and memories that will last a lifetime

It has been shown that there is a strong link between music and spatial intelligence (the ability to perceive the visual world accurately, to form mental images of visual objects, and to recognize variations of objects). These spatial reasoning skills are essential to the studies of math, science and engineering, and many colleges and universities give weight to people who have studied “classical” music when reviewing applications for entrance, scholarship, or bursaries.

TECHNOLOGY-BASED MUSIC COURSES

These courses provide instruction on how to perform and record using professional music technology and equipment. Student portfolios and skill sets developed during the senior levels of Rock School and Recording Arts may be considered for preferential admission, advanced credits, and scholarship applications when students apply to be accepted to the following post-secondary institutions:

Nimbus School of Recording Arts, The Art Institute of Vancouver (AI), and the Douglas College Music Technology Certificate Program. The Terry Fox Rock School and Recording Arts program has been nationally recognized for its excellence and innovation. For more information please visit www.rockthefox.ca

Grade 9

Grade 10

Grade 11

Grade 12

Band 9

Course Code: XBA—09

Concert band is perfect for people who want to play (or learn to play) music in a group. Woodwind, brass, string, and percussion instruments can do great things when they work together. Concert Band focuses on playing skills and musicianship, and we explore music from movies, musical theatre, and composters from around the world. Students perform several concerts a year and we often do field trips together as a group. Concerts Band is scheduled during Block E and meets every other day (day 1’s) all year. Beginner students are welcome at all grade levels.

NOTE: Since Concert Band is scheduled into Block E, it may be taken in addition to an 8 course load.

Choir 9

Course Code: XC—09

For grade 9 students.

Everyone who likes to sing or wants to learn to sing should join choir. Choir students rehearse a diverse mix of music as they learn repertoire and prepare for performances. Vocal technique, movement/choreography, and performance skills are things we explore together. The Choir present several concerts each year we we often do many field trips as a group. Choir is scheduled during Block E and meets every other day (Day 2’s) all year. No prior music experience is necessary.

NOTE: Since Concert Choir is scheduled into Block E, it may be taken in addition to an 8 course load.

Guitar 9

Course Code: XGUIT09
This course is designed for those with little or no previous experience on the guitar. Students begin by learning the basic chords and how to read guitar tab. In addition to learning many songs, students will learn strumming, picking, power and barre chords, and some extended techniques. The school provides guitars and music for this course.

Recording Arts 9

Course Code: MMU-09RA
Students should have some beginner music skills, but it is not absolutely necessary. All students are encouraged to join. This is an introductory course designed for students who want to learn how to digitally record music. This is a great opportunity for students to learn how to record their favourite music styles including Rap, Hip Hop and electronic dance music. Students will get hands on instruction in basic modern recording techniques, which are essential to the professional composer/recording artist. Students will receive an mp3 of their mastered recording.

Rock School 9

Course Code: MMU-09
Students should have some beginner music skills, but all students are encouraged to join. Beginner students will have the opportunity to learn their instruments during the course and will not be required to perform at the final show if they feel they are not yet performance ready. This course is designed to create a learning environment for beginner and intermediate musicians who wish to perform in band formats of all genres including Rock, Metal, Pop, Punk, R&B, Rap & Hip Hop. Students will receive basic instruction in how to play their instruments. They will also learn how to organize and rehearse a contemporary music ensemble. Students will be able to choose their instrument and style of music. Students will also be taught the following: cultural significance of popular music, operating and maintaining basic equipment, performance techniques and audience interaction, recording opportunities, developing promotional materials and understanding the music business. Opportunities to perform will be made available, but performance at the year-end concert is not mandatory.

Concert Band 10

Course Code: MMUCB10

Concert Choir 10

Course Code: MMUCC10
For grade 10 students.
Everyone who likes to sing or wants to learn to sing should join choir. Choir students rehearse a diverse mix of music as they learn repertoire and prepare for performances. Vocal technique, movement/choreography, and performance skills are things we explore together. The Choir present several concerts each year we we often do many field trips as a group. Choir is scheduled during Block E and meets every other day (Day 2’s) all year. No prior music experience is necessary.
NOTE: Since Concert Choir is scheduled into Block E, it may be taken as a 9th or 10th class.

Guitar 10

Course Code: MMUGT10
This course is designed for those with little or no previous experience on the guitar. Students begin by learning the basic chords and how to read guitar tab. In addition to learning many songs, students will learn strumming, picking, power and barre chords, and some extended techniques. The school provides guitars and music for this course.

Recording Arts 10 (Media Design)

Course Code: MMEDD10
Students should have some beginner music skills, but it is not absolutely necessary. All students are encouraged to join. This is an intermediate course designed for students who want to learn how to digitally record music. 
This is a great opportunity for students to learn how to record their favourite music styles including Rap, Hip Hop and electronic dance music. Students will get hands on instruction in multi-track recording techniques, which are essential to the professional composer/recording artist. Students will receive an mp3 of their mastered recording. Students who register for this course should be able to play at least one musical instrument and/or be able to sing, but this is not absolutely necessary as the focus of this course is on audio engineering and not musical performance.

Rock School 10 (Contemporary Music)

Course Code: MMUCM10

Students should have a basic understanding of beginner level skills on instrument or voice. However, ALL Students are invited to join rock school for the first time in order to develop their musical skills.

A continuation of Rock School 9, this course is designed to create a learning environment where students who are already able to play their instrument(s) will receive instruction in how to organize and rehearse contemporary music ensembles in the genres of their choosing including Rock, Metal, Pop, Punk, R&B, Rap & Hip Hop. Students should have enough ability to play through a simple song to a CD at tempo. *However, beginners are encouraged to join in order to develop their music skills for the first time. Students will develop the ability to perform at an intermediate level and have the ability to have intermediate knowledge of equipment set up and maintenance. Opportunities to perform will be made available. Beginner students will have the opportunity to learn their instruments during the course and will not be required to perform at the final show if they are not yet performance ready. These students will receive an adapted grade.

Concert Band 11

Course Code: MIMCB11

NOTE: Since Concert Band is scheduled into Block E, it may be taken as a 9th or 10th class.

Concert Choir 11

Course Code: MCMCC11

For grade 11 students

NOTE: Since Concert Choir is scheduled into Block E, it may be taken as a 9th or 10th class.

Guitar 11

Course Code: MIMG-11

Recording Arts 11 (Media Design)

Course Code: MMUCP11
Students should have some beginner music skills, but it is not absolutely necessary. All students are encouraged to join. This is a great opportunity for students to learn how to write or arrange and record compositions of their favourite music styles including Rap, Hip Hop and electronic dance music. This is an advanced course designed for students who want to extend the previous level of skills. However, first time students are also welcomed to enroll and they will receive entry-level instruction to enable them to have success in this course. Students will receive an mp3 of their mastered recording.

Rock School 11 (Contemporary Music)

Course Code: MMUCM11

Students should have an understanding of beginner level skills on instrument or voice. However, ALL Students are invited to join rock school for the first time in order to develop their musical skills.

A continuation of Contemporary Music 10, this course is designed to create a learning environment for advanced musicians who will receive instruction in how to organize and rehearse contemporary music ensembles in the genres of their choosing including Rock, Metal, Pop, Punk, R&B, Rap & Hip Hop. Students should have enough ability to play through a simple song to a CD at tempo. Experienced students will be expected to perform a full set of contemporary music. Opportunities to perform will be made available. Beginner students will have the opportunity to learn their instruments during the course and will not be required to perform at the final show if they are not yet performance ready. These students will receive an adapted grade.

Concert Band 12

Course Code: MIMCB12

Concert band is perfect for people who want to play (or learn to play) music in a group. Woodwind, brass, string, and percussion instruments cand do great things when they work together. Concert Band focuses on playing skills and musicianship, and we explore music from movies, musical theatre, and composters from around the world. Students perform several concerts a year and we often do field trips together as a group. Concerts Band is scheduled during Block E and meets every other day (day 1’s) all year. Beginner students are welcome at all grade levels.

NOTE: Since Concert Band is scheduled into Block E, it may be taken as a 9th or 10th class.

Concert Choir 12

Course Code: MCMCC12

For grade 12 students.

NOTE: Since Concert Choir is scheduled into Block E, it may be taken as a 9th or 10th class.

Guitar 12

Course Code: MIMG-12

Students who wish to continue guitar studies, or are a senior student and wish to learn guitar for the first time are encouraged to take this course. Also, students who have taken Rock School 9-12 and wish to continue to study guitar are encouraged study to take this course. The emphasis will be on continuing to develop tab/ note reading, chording, and accompaniment skills.  Students will receive individualized instruction for part of the term and will receive additional instructional in extended techniques. eg. bends, hammer-ons, pull-offs, scales, soloing, and improvisation in addition to the opportunity to pursue more challenging guitar repertoire. The school provides guitars and music for this course.

Recording Arts 12 (Media Design)

Course Code: MMUCP12
Students should have some beginner music skills, but it is not absolutely necessary…All students are encouraged to join. This is a great opportunity for students to learn how to learn how to write or arrange and record their favourite music styles including Rap, Hip Hop and electronic dance music. This is an advanced course designed for students who want to extend the previous level of skills. However, first time students are also welcomed to enrol and they will receive entry-level instruction to enable them to have success in this course. Students will receive an mp3 of their mastered recording.

Rock School 12 (Contemporary Music)

Course Code: MMUCM12

This course is designed to continue a more in depth study of the concepts taught in Contemporary Music 11 and apply them to performing complex arrangements in the genres of their choosing including Rock, Metal, Pop, Punk, R&B, Rap & Hip Hop. Students should have enough ability to play through a simple song to a CD at tempo. *However, beginners are encouraged to join in order to develop their music skills for the first time. Beginner students will have the opportunity to learn their instruments during the course and will not be required to perform at the final show if they are not yet performance ready. These students will receive an adapted grade. Different approaches to arranging contemporary (rock) music will be explored. Students will be instructed in methods of communicating contemporary arrangements to a rock band musical ensemble in order to rehearse and perform them. Students will be instructed on copyright law and registering with SOCAN as well as reviewing other essential information regarding the music business.