Music

Music

Students will further develop their musical skills through exceptional instruction, music retreats, guest clinicians, and by participating in the Alberta International Music Festival. Music is an academic option which requires the students to maintain a regular practice schedule and attend weekly rehearsals. EM Music will focus on the following skills:

Theory
Ear Training
Rhythmic studies
Team work
Instrument technique

Students in the Music Program at EM High will also experience further enrichment by having the opportunity to travel for educational purposes. Students have the opportunity to participate in festivals throughout North America and internationally.

Band 15 (3 credits)

Prerequisite Recommendation: Band 9 or Teacher Recommendation

Band 15 expands upon the technical and musical skills acquired in Band 9. Technical facility, rhythm, tone and sight-reading are a major focus as is quality band repertoire. Students will also develop team skills as they work through the process of developing an appreciation for this art form.

Band 25 (3 credits)

Prerequisite Recommendation: Band 15

Students in Band 25 demonstrate technical and musical skills as well as musical literacy that are fluent and confident. A well-developed understanding of large ensemble performance is a major focus.

Band 35 (3 credits)

Prerequisite Recommendation: Band 25

Band 35 students demonstrate expertise on their instrument along with considerable theoretical knowledge and ensemble skills. Leadership within ensembles is a focus and expectation.

Instrumental Music 10 (5 credits)

Prerequisite Recommendation: Band 9 or Teacher Recommendation

Content: All students registered for Band 15 are automatically registered for this course. This is the large ensemble component of the grade 10 band program and requires participation in the Concert Band or Wind Ensemble, as well as the Symphonic Band. Development of performance skills is the major focus.

Instrumental Band 20 (5 credits)

Prerequisite Recommendation: Instrumental Band 10

All students registered for Band 25 are automatically registered for this course. This is the large ensemble component of the grade 11 band program and requires participation in the Concert Band or Wind Ensemble, as well as the Symphonic Band. Development of performance skills is the major focus.

Instrumental Band 30 (5 credits)

Prerequisite Recommendation: Instrumental Band 20

All students registered for Band 35 are automatically registered for this course. This is the large ensemble component of the grade 12 band program and requires participation in the Concert Band or Wind Ensemble, as well as the Symphonic Band. Development of performance skills is the major focus.

Jazz Studies 15 (3 - 5 credits)

Prerequisite Recommendation: Enrolled in or completed Band or Vocal 10

Jazz Studies 15 is an introduction to jazz improvisation, composition and small ensemble performance with a focus on directed listening.

Jazz Studies 25 (3 - 5 credits)

Prerequisite Recommendation: Jazz Studies 15 and enrolled in or completed Band or Vocal 20

Jazz Studies 25 is a continuation of the study of jazz improvisation, composition and small ensemble performance with a focus on directed listening. Jazz Studies 35 (3 - 5 credits)

Jazz Studies 35 (3 - 5 credits)

Prerequisite Recommendation: Jazz Studies 25 and enrolled in or completed Band or Vocal 30

Jazz Studies 35 is a continuation of the study of jazz improvisation, composition and small ensemble performance with a focus on directed listening.

About EM Music

My name is Robert Cesselli and I am the Music Director at Ernest Manning. High School. I have been with the Calgary Board of Education for 29 years. My previous experience has been at Robert Warren Junior High, T.B. Riley Junior High, and Bishop Pinkham Junior High. In addition, I have been a Music Director for the WestWinds Music Society, and a freelance percussion instructor in and around the city of Calgary. I currently am an active member of the Alberta Band Association and the International Association of Jazz Education.

About the Program

The Ernest Manning Music Program fosters communication, creative expression, team-work, collaborative learning and community engagement. Students continue to develop their skills as musicians, explore theory, composition and musical history. We are actively exploring various software options that will be available to students for both class work and at home.

Teaching and Learning

Rhythm study
Repertoire Score Analysis and Conducting
Ear training and Theory/Composition
Music History
Flexible arrangement repertoire to accommodate non-traditional instrumentation
Literature and technical exercises are posted on D2L for all grades

We will:

foster the collaborative nature of in-person ensemble classes with attention on teamwork, communication, and community building,
support individual instrument specialization.