Music

Recognizing that students come to La Salle with a wide variety of musical backgrounds, the La Salle Music Department offers courses at a variety of levels of musical ability so as to provide an appropriate course of instruction to all.

The beginning or intermediate instrumental musician will participate in the Introductory Music Performance Ensemble or the Intermediate Stage Band, groups designed to give students facility in performing moderately difficult music material. The more advanced musician progresses to participation in Advanced Stage Band or the Honors Advanced Music, more skilled groups dedicated to exploring a variety of musical styles, including jazz and contemporary compositions. Wherever appropriate, students also participate in the La Salle Concert Band, an organization that is given extensive instruction in classical as well as contemporary expression.

Students with interest in studying vocal music may participate in chorus. Chorus classes are available at different skill levels, including freshman, intermediate, beginning upper classmen, and advanced chorus. All performance courses include units in music theory. A strong point of the La Salle Music Program is the incorporation of private instruction into the student’s daily roster. All students are given private instruction by a well-trained core of professional musicians dedicated to the art of developing the vocal and instrumental talents of each student. A student with special music interests may pursue these interests via a series of independently supervised programmed instruction.

Music Faculty

Adam Abrams

Mr. Jason Fraticelli

Mr. Randy Kapralick

Ms. Susan Lerner

Steve Lyon

Mrs. Maryanne Martin

Mr. John Meko

Christopher Mele

Mr. Mark Norman

Mr. Conner Saltzer

Mr. Gregory Snyder

Mr. Norman Spratt

Music Courses Offered

Introductory Music Performance (Freshman Band Elective)

This course provides the beginning student musician an opportunity to develop his musicianship through ensemble performance of jazz and related idioms. The student rehearses and performs beginners’ arrangements from the big band repertoire. The course introduces the student to the fundamentals of music theory, jazz improvisation, and the early history of jazz.
Prerequisite: Selection by the department, based upon audition. Co-requisite: Enrollment in Music 806, Instrumental Instruction

1 Credit/full year

Instrumental Instruction (Elective)

Instrumental Instruction provides the student individual lessons on the instrument of the student’s choice. Students are instructed in the techniques specific to his instrument and to his own ability level. Weekly assignments are given at each lesson and the student is expected to prepare these assignments to be evaluated at the following lesson. Because each student brings a different level of competency, progress is closely monitored as to keep the student advancing at a pace appropriate to his ability level. Within this course, and in addition to individual instruction, students are expected to participate in Concert Band and/or Pep Band, excluding strings, piano and guitar. Both ensemble rehearsal schedules do not conflict with any other classroom activity.

.5 Credit/full year

Advanced Music Studies (Elective)

In this independent-study course, students are invited to explore the following topics: music theory (an in-depth introduction to the fundamentals of music theory), harmony (an introduction to the basic concepts and techniques of tonal harmony) and musical forms and analysis (an introduction to the basic elements in musical form and the principles of form analysis).

.5 Credit/full year

Small Ensembles (Elective)

Small Ensemble is a course dedicated to chamber ensemble performance which is divided into 2 classes. The first being String Ensemble and the other Guitar Ensemble. Students will learn about respective music repertoire, the specifics and history of the literature. Both ensembles are required to perform at least 2 concerts a year. Students will be evaluated on their preparation and performance of the required music as well as progress in their weekly private instruction.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior status; department approval. Co-requisite: Enrollment in Music 806, Instrumental Instruction

1 Credit/full year

R&B, Funk and Latin Concepts (Elective)

This course is designed to introduce the students to the great “Horn Bands” of the 70’s and 80’s, as well as the famous Salsa Bands throughout history by rehearsing and performing the actual orchestrations of these famous groups as well as original compositions in the style of Tower of Power; Earth, Wind and Fire; Tito Puente and many others. Classes have the option of splitting up into 2 ensembles. Because of the advanced level of this class, enrollment is by teacher recommendation only.
Prerequisite: Music 802, 804, 820 or 850; department approval. Co-requisite: Music 806.

1 Credit/full year

Music Business and Technology (Elective)

This course is designed to instruct students in the area of recording technology as related to individual projects as well as recording, engineering and mastering the projects of others. The first semester will focus on the correct use of microphones (mic techniques, placement, selection), Garage Band, Pro Tools, and other related recording software. After the student has a good understanding of the tools during the first semester, students will focus on a collaborative project that will be recorded, mastered and engineered. That collaborative project will be completed by the end of the second semester.

.5 Credit/full year

Advanced Music Performance (Stage Band Elective)

Advanced Music Performance is the next level of ensemble performance following Introductory Music Performance 802. This course will take the student to the next musical level. Through advanced arrangements and a more in depth look into jazz improvisation, the student will further develop his soloing skills as well as his sight reading skills. Students will be required to participate in at least two public performances a year. The student will be evaluated on his performance of the music as well as progress in his weekly private instruction.
Prerequisite: Music 802, 804 or 820 and selection by department, based upon audition. Corequisite: Music 806.

1 Credit/full year

Honors Advanced Music (Elective)

Honors Advanced Music is the highest level of large ensemble offered. Students in this class are selected by teacher recommendation. In addition to a vigorous course load, most musicians are expected to participate in many performances throughout the school year. Through professional arrangements, students will be taught advanced jazz improvisation as well as challenging each student to his greatest potential.
Prerequisite: Audition only. Co-requisite: Music 806.

1 Credit/full year

Freshman Chorus (Elective)

This course is designed to equip freshman with the musical tools necessary to be an active participant in the music department at La Salle. Issues covered include the changing voice, reading music, and vocal production in addition to rehearsing and performing as a choral ensemble. Most repertoire is sung in two to four parts. Students are expected to memorize music when requested and are to attend all rehearsals and performances.

.5 Credit/full year

Chorus (Elective: All Levels)

In this course, students learn and perform a wide variety of music, including: folk, classical, jazz, and contemporary music. This course is designed to equip students with the necessary musical tools, including reading music and vocal production, in addition to rehearsing and performing as a choral ensemble to help students be an active participant in the music department at La Salle. Most of the repertoire is sung in three or four parts. Students are expected to memorize music when requested and are to attend all rehearsals and performances.
Prerequisite: Department approval; based upon audition.

.5 Credit/full year

Advanced Chorus (Elective: All Levels)

In this course, students learn and perform a wide variety of music, including: folk, classical, jazz, barbershop, and contemporary music. This course is designed to equip students with the necessary musical tools, including reading music and vocal production, in addition to rehearsing and performing as a choral ensemble to help students be an active participant in the music department at La Salle. Students who have auditioned and have been accepted for Belcrofters are eligible for Advanced Chorus. Most repertoire is sung in four or more parts. Students are expected to memorize music when requested and are to attend all rehearsals and performances.
Prerequisite: Based upon audition.

.5 Credit/full year

Independent Chorus (Independent Study, Elective: All Levels)

In this course, students learn and perform a wide variety of music, including: folk, classical, jazz, and contemporary music. This course is designed to equip students with the necessary musical tools, including reading music and vocal production, in addition to rehearsing and performing as a choral ensemble to help students be an active participant in the music department at La Salle. Most repertoire is sung in four or more parts. Students are expected to memorize music when requested and are to attend all rehearsals and performances. All students will arrange private instruction with La Salle’s Choral Director and attend all rehearsals with the full ensemble as concert season approaches.

.5 Credit/full year