Music at HCRHS
Instrumental music courses as described in Hunterdon Central's 2014-15 Program of Studies are listed below.
FRESHMAN CONCERT BAND - 5 CREDITS
Grade: 9
Prerequisite: None
Concert Band is designed for freshman band students who play a brass or woodwind instrument. Students should recognize that this ensemble - although the entry level ensemble at the high school - is not designed for beginning band students. The music performed in this class is designed for students with three to four years of instrumental music training. Prior experience in large ensemble performance is recommended. Students enrolled in this course will have the opportunity to audition for the school’s jazz band and region and all-state bands. It is highly recommended that all students enrolled in Freshman Concert Band participate in marching band.
FRESHMAN PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE - 5 CREDITS
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed for freshman band students who play a percussion instrument. Students should recognize that this ensemble - although the entry level ensemble at the high school - is not designed for beginning percussion students. The music performed in this class is designed for students with three to four years of instrumental music training. Prior experience in large ensemble performance is recommended. Students enrolled in this course will have the opportunity to audition for region and all-state bands. It is highly recommended that all students enrolled in Principles of Percussion also audition for the marching band.
SYMPHONIC BAND - 5 CREDITS
Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: #751 Concert Band or #752 Principles of Percussion or Audition
Symphonic band is the intermediate level curricular instrumental music ensemble. In addition to the traditional rehearsal process, students are encouraged to participate in small chamber ensembles, and in combined rehearsals with the Symphonic String Orchestra. Students enrolling in the symphonic band must have successfully completed one semester in the concert band and/or pass an audition with the band director. Due to musical limitation, percussion students must pass an audition. Students enrolled in this instrumental ensemble have the opportunity to audition for region and all-state bands. It is highly recommended that all students enrolled in Symphonic Band participate in the marching band.
WIND SYMPHONY– 5 CREDITS
Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Audition
Wind Symphony is the advanced level curricular instrumental music ensemble. In addition to the traditional rehearsal process, students are encouraged to participate in small chamber ensembles, and in combined rehearsals with the Advanced String Orchestra. Students enrolling in Wind Symphony must pass an audition with the band director. Students enrolled in this instrumental ensemble have the opportunity to audition for region and all-state bands. It is highly recommended that all students enrolled in Wind Symphony participate in the marching band.
MARCHING BAND (after School)- 2.5 CREDITS
Grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: None
This course is an option available to students willing to participate in a credit, curricular program while performing with the Marching Band and its supporting units. Students are required to participate in all events throughout the school year, including football games, parades and community events. Subjective and objective evaluation of student progress in the attainment of group goals, as well as individual musical growth, is the basis of course structure. Because of the group’s very visible role in various community functions, level of performance is a critical factor in determining student progress. In addition to signing up for the course, students are required to submit a separate registration packet in the spring (incoming freshman should see their middle school band directors for the registration packet). Marching Band is an optional course. Students electing to participate in Marching Band are subject to Random Drug Testing and must submit the Pay to Play fee.
(More information about Marching Band can be found here.)
FRESHMAN STRING ORCHESTRA – 5 CREDITS
Grade 9
Prerequisite: None
Freshman String Orchestra is designed for freshman students who play a string instrument: violin, viola, cello or string bass (piano spots are available in limited numbers). In this course students learn individual techniques, as well as ensemble proficiencies. Students are also encouraged to participate in small chamber ensembles. Students enrolled in this instrumental ensemble have the opportunity to audition for region and all-state orchestra.
SYMPHONIC STRING ORCHESTRA- 5 CREDITS
Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: #741 Freshman String Orchestra or Audition
Symphonic String Orchestra is the intermediate level curricular instrumental music ensemble for string players. In addition to the traditional rehearsal process, students are encouraged to participate in small chamber ensembles, and in combined rehearsals with the Symphonic Band. Students enrolling in the symphonic orchestra must have successfully completed one semester in the Freshman String Orchestra and/or pass an audition with the orchestra director. Students enrolled in this instrumental ensemble have the opportunity to audition for region and all-state ensembles.
ADVANCED STRING ORCHESTRA – 5 CREDITS
Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Audition
Advanced String Orchestra is the advanced level curricular string ensemble. In addition to the traditional rehearsal process, students are encouraged to participate in small chamber ensembles, and in combined rehearsals with the Wind Symphony Band. Students enrolling in Advanced String Orchestra must pass an audition with the orchestra director. Students enrolled in this instrumental ensemble have the opportunity to audition for region and all-state orchestras.
Extracurricular music opportunities:
FIDDLE CLUB
Fiddle Club is an organization made up of Hunterdon Central students interested in performing fiddle music around the community. They are made up of the first violinists of all three school orchestras, or by audition. They perform many styles of folk violin music, including bluegrass, celtic, mariachi and traditional American folk tunes. They also travel around the county, performing for local community groups and events.
PIT ORCHESTRA
The Pit Orchestra is the ensemble that accompanies the musical in March. Students in Pit Orchestra are selected based on their performance assessment scores in their ensemble music class, or by a separate audition. Please contact Mr. Magalio for more information.
JAZZ BAND
The jazz band is a select performing ensemble that rehearses from January - June. Students are selected to participate in this band by audition. Auditions are held in December; see Mr. Kenny in the music building in November for audition materials. Students are required to enroll in 5 credits of curricular bands to be eligible to participate in Jazz Band. Meetings are held Tuesday and Thursday during block 5 room 501.