Curriculum Detail

Music

Whether enrolled in a Music Theory class, performing with the Rock, Jazz, or Chamber Ensembles or participating in one of the choral or acapella groups, KUA offers a full slate of academic courses and performing opportunities. Students showcase their talents and refine their skills by participating in the annual Fall and Spring Concerts, Winter Musical, and even at our bi-weekly All School Meeting. The Flickinger Arts Center's well-equipped music studio and experienced faculty allow students many opportunities to grow their understanding of music.

 

All music courses count as a performing arts credit.




  • AP Music Theory

    (1 credit)

    AP Music Theory students learn the structures and logic of music. Topics include major and minor scales, key signatures, intervals, harmony, notation, melodic dictation, harmonic dictation, score analysis, and sight singing. Students acquire aural skills such as identifying chord color, intervals, and accurately notating a melody or chordal passage by ear. A background in music using standard notation is highly recommended. This course is recommended for those who intend to participate in vocal or instrumental music or composition and arranging at the college level.

  • Chamber Ensemble

    (1 credit: Prerequisite: Instructor Approval)

    For instrumentalists who already have some playing ability, the Chamber Ensemble explores chamber music from the Baroque through Modern eras based on the students interests. Arranged in small ensembles, students have the opportunity to play with multiple different instrument groupings and explore many different styles of music. Students may showcase their work at multiple concerts throughout the year, and this course may be repeated for credit.

    *New - This course meets during the academic day.

  • Concordians

    (1/3 credit per year)

    The Concordians is the foundation of KUA’s choral program. All members of the community are invited to join including students, faculty, staff, and their families. The ensemble generally meets twice per week and performs at the fall and spring concerts, as well as informal events on-campus and off. The group also serves as the core musical offering for such community events as the Baccalaureate Service and Graduation. 

     

    The repertoire is eclectic and includes contemporary and classical pieces, modern and classic pop/rock pieces, modern and classic broadway pieces, and the Director is always open to suggestions from the hearts and minds of the singers. Emphasis is placed on improving vocal health and technique, cultivating a unified sound through musicianship, vowel/breath control, and diction. Soloists are chosen as the need arises. The chorus is designed to provide the lives of the singers with a great source of pride, joy, and stress relief. Membership is taken very seriously, but the tone of the rehearsals is lively and fun. Membership in the Concordians is a co-requisite for membership in Selects. This course meets outside of the academic day, during the ensemble period.

  • Digital Music Production

    (1/3 credit) 

    Digital Music Production is a course designed for students interested in the functionality of a digital audio workstation (DAW) to create and record music. Students explore Soundtrap, a cloud based DAW similar to GarageBand. The course has a project based curriculum where students cover creating beats, sample looping, mixing automation, live sound recording, digital music creation, and found sound experimentation. Students create and share multiple projects throughout the term. 

  • Fundamentals of Music

    1 trimester - Level I Music class
    This course is a prerequisite for Level II Music classes and AP Music

    Fundamentals of Music students will study common musical elements such as notation, rhythm, and chord construction. Students will learn to read music and identify common patterns aurally and visually. They will demonstrate their skill acquisition through in-class performance. The skills students develop will build a foundation for other music courses as well as overall musical enjoyment and appreciation. This class is open to everyone and is a pre-requisite for AP Music Theory.

  • Guitar II

    (1/3 credit) 

    Guitar II meets at the same time as Intro to Guitar and continues the learning started in Intro with more individual practice time. The core of the class is supporting the Intro class through learning songs as a group, and continued development of more advanced techniques including barre chords, scale shapes, and picking. Students need a guitar for class and rentals are available through the school.

  • Introduction to Guitar

    (1/3 credit) 

    Introduction to Guitar is a course designed for students that have no prior guitar experience. Students learn the rudiments of guitar playing through learning songs chosen by the group. Topics include basic chord shapes, reading chord sheets, strumming patterns, and guitar care. The class culminates with a collaborative performance at the end of the trimester. Students need a guitar for class and rentals are available through the school.

  • Introduction to Piano

    (1/3 credit) 

    This course is for the absolute beginner with no previous piano experience, or for those who wish to bring back skills they have lost from early childhood. It covers the basic skills of reading music and understanding popular chord notation. Class time is divided between discussion and lecture portions, practice time at the piano, and performing for the class. A portion of the course involves duet playing.

  • Jazz

    (1/3 credit per year; Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor) 

    For instrumentalists and vocalists who can read music or chord charts at an intermediate level. The group plays arrangements from a variety of jazz styles and works on improvisation and understanding song forms. Emphasis is placed on rehearsal technique, group development, solo improvisation, and performance. This course meets during the ensemble blocks. Students have the opportunity to showcase their work at multiple concerts throughout the year, and this course may be repeated for credit. This course meets outside of the academic day, during the ensemble period.

  • Music Lessons

    1/3 credit per year; counts toward art graduation requirements; by audition and instructor’s permission
     
    Participants receive one private lesson per week and otherwise practice independently and/or with others in the class.  Musicians perform on the “Singers’ Night” concert (in a jazz cabaret setting) and on other concert opportunities as available.  The repertoire is agreed upon by the student and instructor and can be any style that suites the musician. This course may be repeated for credit.

  • Musical Theater Studies

    1/3 credit 
     

    Musical Theater Studies is a course that explores the skills needed for learning and performing musical theater repertoire. The course has a strong focus on the vocal elements of musical theater, but also explores artistic interpretation, character development, and style.  Students learn songs from a wide range of musical theater styles including solos and duets or small group pieces. The course also covers topics such as the basics of vocal technique, diction, and audition technique. The course is challenging and fun, and it is a great opportunity to develop skills as a musical theater performer. 

  • Piano II

    (1/3 credit) 

    Piano II meets at the same time as Intro to Piano unless enrollment is large. It continues the curriculum of both musicianship and learning more advanced techniques for playing the piano. Piano II is open to pianists of all levels who wish to continue to develop their skills.  The class is individually tailored to the skills and interests of each student.  Students are assigned literature that is appropriate to their skill level. 

  • Purely Orange Jazz

    1/3 credit per year; counts toward art graduation requirements; Prerequisite: Audition

    This ensemble is open to instrumentalists and occasionally vocalists who can read music or chord charts on at least an intermediate level. The group plays arrangements from a variety of jazz styles and works on improvisation and understanding song forms. Emphasis is placed on rehearsal technique, group development, solo improvisation, and performance. The ensemble participates in the fall and spring department concerts. This course may be repeated for credit.

  • Rock Band

    (1/3 credit per year; Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor)

    For instrumentalists and singers that have some facility on their instruments, Rock Band explores all popular genres including pop, rock, funk, and soul music. Repertoire is chosen by students and rehearsed collaboratively during the ensemble blocks. Students have the opportunity to showcase their work at multiple concerts throughout the year, and this course may be repeated for credit. This course meets outside of the academic day, during the ensemble period.

  • Selects

    (1/3 credit per year; counts toward art graduation requirements when take for the year; Prerequisite: Audition; Co-requisite: Membership in the Concordians)
     
    Selects is a group of singers who auditioned and were selected from the larger group, the Concordians. These are dedicated singers who seek to achieve all that the Concordians do, and then some. Traditionally an a cappella ensemble, the Selects will also branch out a bit and interface with other musicians on campus. Likely combinations are with the Rock and/or Jazz bands or even the Classical Ensemble. 
     
    Many arrangements will be tailored to our group as needed, and students have a strong voice in the repertoire we choose. In addition to the styles of music the Concordians sing, the Selects may also tackle challenging jazz arrangements or original music from members of the group. Because it is a smaller group and admission is based on audition results, the expectation is that students take their role in Selects very seriously as each spot in the group is coveted. With great effort comes great reward, and membership in Selects is truly rewarding.

  • Selects

    (1 credit per year; Prerequisite: Audition)

    Selects is KUA’s honors vocal ensemble. The group learns, memorizes, and performs music from a variety of different styles and periods. Performances include small group performances and occasional solos. Students learn advanced elements of vocal productions, part singing and musical interpretation. Members of Selects are expected to also sing with Concordians and function as the core singers for our larger choral ensemble. It is a challenging and rewarding class that requires previous experience and dedication. Auditions are held at the end of the school year for the following year or at the beginning of the school year. 

Select a Department

Department Faculty

  • Photo of Sean Burns
    Sean Burns
    Vocal Music Teacher and Music Director
    603 469-2131
    Bio
  • Photo of Mark Lighthiser
    Mark Lighthiser
    Arts Department Chair and Instrumental Music Teacher
    603 469-2137
7 Campus Center Drive
Meriden NH, 03770
phone: (603) 469-2000
info@kua.org