Music / Sound

Spring 2016

A Community that Sings
Since the beginning of recorded time…and I suspect even prehistoric times…the human race has found it necessary to sing…YES…TO SING. It has been evidenced that the youngest newborn babies, regardless of culture or continent, respond to and participate in SINGING. Every society…and all people…have demonstrated the need to communicate, express themselves…and share a common aesthetic through melodic utterances we call singing. There is not a culture on Earth…even in primitive times…that did not produce what we term logogenic music…or melodies with texts…today we simply call them folksongs…and they are a basic part of who we are as people. They are not a frill, but a core aspect of human life. Meidl

The Hungry Angels

This dynamic course will use traditional songs to create a road-map in the hopes of bringing song back to our society. We will study the Singing Revolution in Estonia where through music (and not guns) the country won its independence from the former Soviet Union! We will also research the current Sing Up project in the United Kingdom for techniques that may work in Appleton…in America. Students will learn through singing the power of America's musical treasury. Each participant will become certified as a song leader and will develop a plan for community outreach through song. Our goal…A Community That Sings! (minimum ensemble membership) Meidl

Audio Recording

This class will focus on the art of recording, mixing, and editing your music. Using Chromebook apps, smart phone apps, home recordings, our in-house recording studio, and a field trip to a professional studio, we will learn to make your music come to life. An ideal follow up class to the singer/songwriter or other creative music courses. Dempster

Chamber Music/Instrumental Ensembles

Chamber music involves a small number of people each playing their own part. The successful ensemble intertwines these individual voices and creates a musical conversation. During this semester we will look at what it takes to bring a piece of chamber music together and apply it to the performance of several music works. Musical selections will be based on student input and can range from classical to more eclectic styles. Must be able to read music and play an instrument or sing. Dempster

Class Voice
Having trouble learning how to project your voice? Ever wanted to imitate someone’s voice but couldn’t quite figure out how to do it? Come play with Corrie Beula Kovacs as she takes you through a guided tour of your vocal physiology, and experiment with different ways of producing sound! This is great for anyone who wants to develop a stronger speaking voice and maybe even learn some basic singing techniques. Speaking and singing are more closely related than you realize. Kovacs

Electronic Music
Students create computer music using free chromebook apps (such as audiotool), or other electronic music computer programs of their choosing. Styles can range Electro-acoustic, House, to Hip Hop and more abstract sound art and ambient atmospheres. Lyrics, and spoken word, and singing, and instruments are encouraged, however, It is NOT necessary to be able play an instrument or sing. Dempster

Rock Improv.
Students find their creative voices through instrumental improvisation in Jazz, Funk, Rock, Popular, and other contemporary forms. Must be able to play an instrument or sing. Dempster

Symphonic Music Class

The Symphonic Band class will explore music written from 1700 to 1900 with an emphasis on the music of Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Brahms. Mahler, Sibelius and Bernstein. We will discuss what makes symphonic music what it is and how today's music, whether it's rap, jazz, heavy metal, classic rock or pop, is an offshoot of all symphonic music.The objective of the class it to make students, who are interested in music, more aware of how music evolved throughout the years. Ross

Singer/Songwriter

This course will involve students individually and collectively creating songs in their own style(s) using tools of songwriting such as guitar, piano, voice, lyrics, and computer. This will all culminate with a performance of the songs as solos or collective groups and recorded tracks to be shared online. Dempster

The Art, Science and Creation of Musical Instruments
In this class students will explore the different families of musical instruments and the science of how their sound is produced. We will look at the history and development of these instruments over time. Students will then apply that knowledge to the creation of original instruments that they will build and learn to play. We will end the semester with a performance on our new instruments. Limit of 20 students Kellenberger