Music Studio
Bernice Fleischer, Assistant Principal
bfleisc@schools.nyc.gov

The Music Department prepares students to continue their studies in music conservatories, to major in music at a university, or to perform professionally.  All music majors receive preparation in sight singing, music theory, and music history.  Master classes feature guest artists such as members of the New York Philharmonic and the New York City Opera.

Any student who has had previous training in sight-singing, ear-training and/or theory is advised to take a diagnostic exam in order to place into an appropriate level.

Sample Instrumental Music Sequencing

Performance Groups

Band: Intermediate & Advanced
Chamber Music
Junior Jazz Band
Senior Jazz Band

Orchestra:

• Elementary
• Intermediate
• Junior
• Senior

Pit Orchestra: Musical Theatre
Pit Orchestra: Opera        

Sample Vocal Music Sequencing

Electives: Vocal and Instrumental

Chamber Music
Conducting
Gospel Choir
Guitar
Jazz Improvisation
Music Technology
Music Theory AP
New Music Ensemble
Opera Workshop
Orchestration
Recording Studio
Show Choir

Course Offerings

Band, Junior - Band 5/6 is a year-long course of study that is open to second, third and fourth-year woodwind, brass and percussion students who are selected by the music faculty.  Repertoire is chosen from the standard literature according to level of ability.  Band 5/6 participates in Winter and Spring Musicales.

Band, Senior - The LaGuardia Symphonic Band 7/8 is a year-long course of study that is open to woodwind, brass and percussion students who are selected by the music faculty.  It is the Senior Symphonic Band.  Advanced repertoire is chosen from the standard literature.  There are opportunities to work with guest artists.  Band 7/8 is featured in two major concerts annually.

Brass 1 and 2 - Brass 1/2 is a year-long course of study that is open to first and second-year brass majors and to first and second year piano and guitar majors who are studying brass as their secondary instrument.  Students are selected for this course by the music faculty.  Technique, breathing and tone development are emphasized, including all major and minor scales and arpeggios, and selected etudes and solo pieces.

Brass 3 and 4 - Brass 3/4 is a year-long course of study that is open to third and fourth-year brass majors who are selected by the music faculty.  Students have a strong intermediate level of ability on a brass instrument.  This course prepares students for their solo jury examinations.  Students also prepare brass ensemble music for coaching sessions and master classes.

Chamber Music, Strings - This course is for advanced string players and advanced pianists. It is a year-long course, which involves serious study and performance of the standard chamber music literature for string quartet, piano/string trio, and selected ensemble combinations.  This class prepares students for participation in the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s annual Young Artist Competition. 

Chamber Music, Winds - Winds 7/8 is a year-long course of study and is the advanced wind chamber music course.  It is open to students who play woodwind and brass instruments.  This class prepares chamber music ensembles for participation in the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s Young Artists Competition.  Students are selected for this course by the music faculty.

Conducting - This course teaches the elements of leading an instrumental ensemble.  Students will learn how to interpret musical scores by leading student groups in musical performance.  Course work includes: score analysis, meter beat patterns, baton technique, visual score study-baton placement, left hand symbols, dynamics, pitch registration, and pattern cubes.  Members of the conducting class make up the laboratory ensemble for the conductors.  Repertoire is from the standard Classical repertoire.
Elementary Chorus - A required introductory course for all freshmen.  Students will study basic reading skills and methodologies that will prepare them for more advanced choral study.  Standard repertoire will be studied and performed. 

Girls Chorus - Instruction and training in choral singing techniques, including:  blend, proper vowel formation, diction and articulation, and independence of part are taught in a professional choral rehearsal and performance setting.  Students learn a repertoire from a wide variety of musical styles and eras while improving their sight singing skills through ongoing reading of choral repertoire. 

Gospel Choir - The study and performance of “gospel music” from both a historical and cultural perspective, including the study of spirituals, anthems, hymns -- in traditional and contemporary genre -- both á cappella and accompanied.

Guitar, Beginning - This year long course is open to third and fourth-year instrumental and vocal students.  Students learn the basic principles of beginning guitar technique, including tuning, melodic fingering and bar chords.

Jazz Improvisation - Study of the basic approach to improvisation through the study and playing of compositions, chords, and scales.  The study and understanding of jazz forms in the bomco setting and a strong emphasis on time, meter, jazz swing feel, and the ability to work together.   

Jazz Studies - This year-long course is taken in place of Music History and culminates with a three-hour comprehensive examination in June.  This history course is a detailed study of the history of American Jazz from its inception to the modern era.

Jazz Band, Junior - Junior Jazz Band is a year-long course of study that is open to second, third and fourth- year woodwind, brass, percussion, guitar, bass, and piano students who are selected by the music faculty.  Repertoire is chosen from standard jazz band literature according to level of ability.  Junior Jazz Band participates in Winter and Spring Musicales.

Jazz Band, Senior - Senior Jazz Band is a year-long course of study that is open to third and fourth-year woodwind, brass, percussion, guitar, bass, and piano students who are selected by the music faculty.  Advanced repertoire is chosen from standard jazz literature.  There are opportunities to work with guest artists.  Senior Jazz Band is featured in two major concerts annually.

Mixed Chorus - This course is for the intermediate to advanced study of choral repertoire for mixed voices.  Outcomes include the ability to read music and acquire the rehearsal techniques in preparation for the Senior Chorus.  Students learn vocalizing techniques including a focus on breath control, posture, and vowel functions.  Scales, triads, intervallic recognition, and four-part harmonic progressions are essential parts of the curriculum.

Music Technology  - Hands-on studio experience in using synthesizers, computers, and recording technology.

Music Theory 1, Instrumental & Vocal - Music Theory 1 introduces students to music fundamentals such as musical notation, modes, and scales.  Students learn the different qualities of triad chord construction and the beginning of four-part harmonic writing.  Melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic dictations, as well as ear training exercises, are an integral component of this course of study.

Music Theory 2, Instrumental & Vocal - Music Theory 2 begins with the basic concepts of triad chord inversions and figured bass line and soprano line harmonization using inversions.  Students are introduced to the 7th Chords and the complete and incomplete versions of the Dominant 7th Chord.  Topics covered include the second inversion chord progressions and the secondary triads of the scale.  Basic concepts of Cadences and cadence chord progressions are begun.  

Music Theory 3, Instrumental - Music Theory 3 covers the concepts of modulation as well as the modulations to the key of the dominant, to the key of the subordinate-dominant, to the key of the relative major/minor, and to the key of the parallel major/minor.  In addition to the secondary dominant 7th Chords and the cycle of Dominant 7th Chords, the augmented 6th Chords, Italian, German, and French major and minor modes are taught.

Music Theory, Advanced Placement - This is a college- level course; upon completion, students are expected to sit for the AP examination.  This course emphasizes aural and visual identification of procedures based in common-practice tonality:  functional triadic harmony in traditional four-voice texture (with vocabulary including nonharmonic tones, seventh chords, and secondary dominants).  Topics include cadences,  melodic and harmonic compositional processes (e.g., sequence, motivic development), standard rhythms and meters, phrase structure (e.g., contrasting period, phrase group), small forms (e.g., rounded binary, simple ternary, theme and variation, strophic), and modulation to closely related keys.  A brief introduction to twentieth-century scales, choral structures, and compositional procedures is included.

New Music Ensemble - New Music Ensemble is a showcase performance group for the contemporary writer and arranger.  Students learn to write, arrange, and produce their own music while developing creative independence and confidence.  Course requirements include: organizing and formalizing showcase material and arrangements, written scores, rehearsal tapes, rehearsal time, staging, and performance partners.  Culminating project includes the ability of the student-songwriter to “sell” his/her product to class members and outside contacts, and to participate in local and national songwriting contests.

Opera Workshop, Junior & Senior - The development of skills in preparation of operatic roles, with emphasis on character development and the care and training of the young operatic voice.  Instructional units include: the listening analysis of legendary operatic performances; the discussion of standard operatic literature; performance practice throughout the Baroque, Classic, Romantic, and Twentieth Century historic periods; and the preparation of operatic scenes and arias for performance in both master-class and public settings.  This course culminates in a full-scale operatic production.
Orchestra, Elementary  - Orchestra 3/4 is a year-long course of study that is open to first and second-year string players.  This is the first-level string ensemble comprised of both string majors and piano and guitar majors who have chosen orchestral strings as their secondary instrument.  Repertoire is chosen according to level of ability.  Orchestra 3/4 participates in Winter and Spring Musicales.

Orchestra, Intermediate - Orchestra 5/6 is a year-long course of study that is open to second, third and fourth-year string players who are selected by the music faculty.  This is the intermediate level string ensemble comprised of both string majors and piano and guitar majors who have chosen orchestral strings as their secondary instrument.  Repertoire is chosen according to level of ability.  Orchestra 5/6 participates in Winter and Spring Musicales.

Orchestra, Junior - The LaGuardia Philharmonia - The LaGuardia Philharmonia (Orchestra 7/8) is the school’s strong intermediate to advanced symphony orchestra.  It is a year-long course of study that is open to second, third and fourth-year woodwind, brass, percussion and string students who are selected by the music faculty.  Intermediate to advanced repertoire is chosen from the standard orchestral literature.  There are opportunities to work with guest artists.  Orchestra 7/8 participates in Winter and Spring Musicales.

Orchestra, Senior - The LaGuardia Symphony Orchestra - Orchestra 9/10 is the school’s premiere classical instrumental ensemble.  The Orchestra performs in four major concerts annually:  a Concerto Concert featuring instrumental soloists; two traditional Semi-Annual Concerts; shared performances with the Senior Chorus; and the Commencement Ceremony held at Lincoln Center.  Repertoire is chosen from advanced works from the standard orchestral and concerto literature.  There are opportunities to work with guest artists.

Orchestration - Students learn how to arrange musical compositions for orchestra.  Each instrument is examined for its range, transposition, clef, and technical capabilities.  The historical development of each category of instrument is also covered.  Students orchestrate a musical piece for a woodwind quartet, brass quintet, percussion ensemble, and string quintet.  The course’s culminating project is the arranging of a musical composition for a full orchestra.  The ability to read an orchestral score and understand the terminology used in a variety of languages is stressed.

Percussion 1 and 2 - Percussion 1/2 is a year-long course of study that is open to first-year percussion majors and second, third and fourth-year students who are chosen by the music faculty.  Technical development on all orchestral percussion instruments is emphasized, including timpani, snare drum, xylophone, cymbals, and all other auxiliary instruments.  There are opportunities to work with guest artists in master classes.

Piano, Beginning - This course will develop skill in learning to play the piano.  Beginning concepts such as basic music theory, chord construction, rhythmic and harmonic knowledge will be applied throughout this course. 

Piano, Intermediate - This course will help to further develop reading and playing skills at the keyboard.  Instruction focuses on expanding a student’s repertoire, developing accompanying skills, and performing piano duets and keyboard harmonies.

Piano, Advanced - Skill building in reading, theory, and performance practices needed for the advanced piano literature will be studied.  Students will develop fluency in reading and comprehension skills in the deconstruction of melodic, harmonic, and technical concepts with the learning of pianistic work and performance skills.  Instructional units include transposition, scales, score reading, and solo and four-hand piano performances.

Pit Orchestra: Musical Theatre - This course is devoted to the learning of accompanying skills used in the Musical Theater literature.  Culminating project is performing in the run of the annual school-wide musical production.

Pit Orchestra: Opera - This course is devoted to the learning of accompanying skills used in the Operatic literature.  Culminating project is performing in the run of the annual opera.

Recording Studio - This year-long course is an intensive study of the history of sound recording and hands-on experience with studio equipment and its applications to mastering and mixing recorded material. 

Show Choir - Show Choir is year-long course of study open to third and fourth-year vocal music majors who are selected by the music faculty.  Repertoire is selected from the Broadway, jazz, and pop genres.  Show Choir performs regularly at special events throughout New York City.  Show Choir participates in the Winter Musicale and is featured in an annual Spring Concert.

Sightsinging - Students learn the basic materials of making music and standard musical notation.  The Sol-fa system is used for students to be able to sing melodies, and the ability to write melodies, notes and rhythms through melodic and rhythmic dictation is emphasized.

Solo Voice - Solo Voice is for the enhancement and clarification of expectations for a soloist in a professional choral rehearsal/performance setting.  The development of overall tonal concepts, with emphasis on solo singing and proper vocal production, is stressed.  Students improve sight singing skills through continued reading of choral and vocal repertoire. This course focuses on smaller accompanied and unaccompanied octavo works as well as choral/orchestral multi-movement works of small scale.
Strings, Fundamental - Strings 1/2 is a year-long course of study that is open to first-year piano and guitar majors who have selected orchestral strings as their secondary instrument.  This is the beginning strings class.  Development of tone production and technique is emphasized.

Strings, Elementary - Strings 3/4 is a year-long course of study that is open to second-year orchestral string minors and first-year string majors selected by the music faculty.  This techniques class is made up of students who are concurrently in Orchestra 3/4.

Strings, Intermediate - Strings 5/6 is a year-long course of study open to second, third and fourth-year string majors and minors.  The students in this techniques class are also members of Orchestra 5/6 and are selected by the music faculty.

Strings, Junior - Strings 7/8 is the string section of Orchestra 7/8.  Students must have achieved an intermediate to advanced level of technical proficiency on an orchestral string instrument, in addition to strong sight-reading skills.  The development of the necessary technical skills is stressed in order to perform intricate music within the ensemble.

Strings, Senior - Strings 9/10 is the string section of Orchestra 9/10.  Students must have achieved an advanced level of technical proficiency on an orchestral string instrument, strong sight-reading skills, and previous orchestral experience.  The development of the necessary technical skills is stressed in order to perform intricate music within the ensemble.

Winds, Beginning Saxophone, Oboe & Bassoon - Winds 1/2 is a year-long course of study open to saxophone majors and pianists and guitarists who have chosen oboe or bassoon as their secondary instrument.  Technique and tone development is emphasized, including drills on all major and minor scales and arpeggios, etudes and solo pieces.

Winds, Beginning Flute - Winds 1/2 is a year-long course of study open to flute majors.  Technique and tone development is emphasized, including drills on all major and minor scales and arpeggios, etudes and solo pieces.

Winds, Beginning Clarinet - Winds 1/2 is a year-long course of study open to clarinet majors.  Technique and tone development is emphasized, including drills on all major and minor scales and arpeggios, etudes, and solo pieces.

Winds, Intermediate - Winds 3/4 is for students who have an intermediate level of ability on a woodwind instrument.  Development of tone, breathing, and technique is stressed, including mastering drills on all major and minor scales and arpeggios.  Students learn solo repertoire and are assigned a concerto, sonata or suite from the standard repertoire for their instruments.  Students are also assigned to chamber music groups for coaching and master classes.

Winds, Advanced - Students in Winds 5/6 have intermediate to advanced level of ability on a woodwind instrument.  This course prepares students for their solo jury examinations.  Development of tone, breathing and technique is stressed, including mastering drills on all major and minor scales and arpeggios.  Students learn advanced solo repertoire and are assigned a concerto, sonata, or suite from the standard repertoire for their instruments.  Students are also assigned to chamber music groups for coaching and master classes.

Women’s Choir - This course is for the intermediate to advanced study of choral repertoire for treble voices.  Outcomes include the ability to read music and acquire rehearsal techniques in preparation for the Senior Chorus.  Students learn vocalizing techniques including a focus on breath control, posture, and vowel functions.  Scales, triads, intervallic recognition, and three or four-part harmonic progressions are essential parts of the curriculum.