Music
Aims/Objectives
The MS Music Curriculum provides students with 3 music course choices (Japanese Music/Concert Band/Music Technology). New students (Grade 7 and 8) who wish to take band should possess some background in music and agree to pursue individual private instruction in order to attain the standard of performance required in the curriculum. New students (Grade 6-8) who are interested in Japanese Music are recommended to join the MS Koto Club first then they may enter the Japanese Music Curriculum the following term.
Skills
- Demonstrate, to the extent of his/her ability, involvement in and response to personal aesthetic experience in music.
- Gain knowledge and understanding of music forms, styles, and major composers representative of each of the major music periods.
- Become aware of the music scene, both local and worldwide.
- Develop discriminating aural skills.
- Develop vocal and/or instrumental proficiency.
- Develop a co-operative attitude through the organization and participation associated with musical ensembles.
- Develop musical creativity and evaluation skills.
- Develop musical composition skills.
- Develop music technology and music recording skills and keep up with the latest in music technology.
Assessment
Students are assessed on a wide area of performance skills, theory skills and presentation. All three courses have various criteria for each instrument, voice and/or music technology skills.
Course Descriptions
Instrumental Music Program
Students begin learning traditional wind and percussion instruments from the 5th grade. 6th grade band reinforces music fundamentals and prepares the students for more advanced band material. Middle School Band Methods gives additional instruction to the students to help them gain proficiency on their instruments. MS Band students also participate in the MS Concert Band and MS Jazz Band. Kanto Plains events, such as the Solo and Ensemble Festival, are also available to MS Band students.
Vocal Music Program
The YIS Middle/High School Vocal Music Program has opportunities for the novice to the experienced vocalist. Generally, the Middle School has combined choir. There are additional offerings for solo, duets and small ensembles. All of these groups develop good vocal technique, music reading, knowledge of choral literature, and performing skills. Choirs from the Middle and High Schools perform in several Kanto area festivals and competitions.
Japanese Music Program
The YIS Japanese Music Program offers an eclectic education with classes in Japanese music history, Japanese music theory and both instrumental and vocal music. Students learn the 13-string koto, 17-string bass koto, shamisen and the shime-daiko.
Students continue through the Yoshizaki Katsuhiko koto textbook and focus on koto scales and tunings, complex rhythm, meter, and dynamics. Students who have progressed and reached a certain level of proficiency on the koto also begin shamisen lessons as an organized activity after school. Music repertoire during Middle School includes various contemporary compositions.
Students perform in the annual Winter and Spring Concerts held in various halls in Yokohama city. Other performance opportunities include musical exchanges with local Japanese schools and concerts outside the Kanto area including Jy?rinji temple. Students in the Advanced Ensemble also tour overseas (2006-Australia; 2008 - USA).
Music Technology Program
Students will discover the elements that make up music and how they work together using the latest in music technology and recording. Students will have a number of projects designed to create new compositions incorporating various types of music technology software.
