General Music
Our "General" music program is ever-growing. These are courses that are open to any student regardless of age or previous experience (or lack of). Although many of the music courses at Nauset High School are open to all students, these courses are designed for the student that hasn’t taken a music course in a while. We encourage all students to consider one of these courses as an elective in their schedules:
Music Technology/Music Production: This course is an entry-level course open to all students in grades 9-12. The goal of this course is to teach music through technology. The course is designed around a framework of music production. Students learn to compose, arrange, compile and edit music and video through such programs as Garageband, Sibelius, Ableton Live and more. Students learn to work with music at an original level; composing pop songs from scratch .
Piano Keyboarding I & II: These courses are designed for any student who wishes to add piano skills to the list of things they can do. Although much of the courses are based on individual skills, there is most definitely an ensemble aspect to these class; where students create and rehearse music together. No prior music skills are required. Students have left these courses with a strong foundation to play this instrument for the rest of their lives.
Guitar I & II: Guitar is a class that is open to all students in grades 9-12 regardless of prior music experience. Students learn the basics of tab, note-reading and chord playing. You will NOT learn "On Top of Old Smokey" here. It's a course that uses popular music from the past 30 (or so) years to teach the skills you can use for the rest of your life. Songs such as: Let It Be, Time of Your Life, Broken Halos, I'm Yours are just a few of the 45+ songs you will learn while in this class. A guitar at home is helpful but not necessary and we have enough guitars at school for the entire class.
Music Theory/College Prep: This course is offered for the student that wishes to know more about the "science" as well as art of music. Music, although an art form, is based on science: the structure, harmony, chord progressions, melody of music. This class centers on the "nuts and bolts" of how and why music works. Composition, arranging, sight-singing, music history, piano skills, are all learned in this class. It's not easy, but it is worthwhile. If you plan on- or are even considering- furthering your study of music after high school, this course is designed for you.
Performance Ensembles
CONCERT CHORUS Grades 9 -12
This is the largest vocal music group at Nauset High School. Open to all students. No prior music experience is required. Students learn many types of music from classical to pop music. This year, we are delving into music of the Beatles. This group also participates in trips, concerts and other events throughout the year. This course may be repeated for credit.
HONORS CHORUS Grades 10 - 12
This is the select mixed choir at Nauset High School. Open to all students in grades 10-12 upon a successful audition. Students learn many types of advanced vocal music and participate in trips, concerts and many performances throughout the year. This is one of the most visible performance ensembles at Nauset High School and performs extensively throughout the year. This course may be repeated for credit.
ORCHESTRA Grades 9 - 12
Orchestra is the string ensemble for Nauset High School. Students in this ensemble perform in many concerts and performances each year as well as participate in trips and other functions.
CONCERT BAND Grades 9 - 12
Concert Band is the largest ensemble at Nauset High School. Students in this ensemble perform in many concerts and performances each year as well as participate in trips and other functions. The Concert Band also acts as pep band for home football games and some basketball games.
FIRST ENCOUNTER JAZZ ENSEMBLE Grades 9 - 12
This ensemble is one of the most popular music classes at Nauset. Students learn the basics of improvisation while playing big band music ranging from the 1930s through contemporary artists such as Gordon Goodwin. Students in Jazz Ensemble perform regularly throughout the year and participate in concerts, performance and festivals (such as the Berklee Jazz Festival, MAJE and the All Cape Jazz Festival). This course may be repeated for credit.
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE Grades 9 - 12
This class serves as the percussion battery for the Concert Band, as well as performing literature specifically written for percussion instruments. Students learn mallet instrument techniques, timpani tuning as well as more common battery instruments such as snare drum. The percussion class also serves as the “drum line” for pep rallies and marching music. This course may be repeated for credit.