Accompanying/Keyboard Skills
This course is required for piano majors only. It includes training in sight-reading, accompanying techniques and the development of ensemble sensitivity. As accompanists, students work with other instrumentalists or singers for coaching and performance. Pianists may be re-enrolled in this course for credit at the discretion of the piano faculty. Accompanying for students may be required.
Art Song Literature
This required course for singers traces the development, similarities and differences of the solo song of the Classical and Romantic era, including the English song, the German lied, and French chanson and melodie. Students learn to distinguish composers, compositions, style and characteristics through listening and in-class performance. Genres studied vary from semester to semester and year to year as the artistic needs of the department dictate.
Class Piano
This course is required for all instrumentalists and vocalists whose skills are not sufficient to pass the piano proficiency test. Knowledge of the keyboard is an essential skill for any musician and provides an invaluable tool for the study of harmony. Basic skills learned are scales, fingering, dexterity, sight reading, and keyboard theory. This course is required for all instrumentalists and vocalists whose skills are not sufficient to pass the piano proficiency test. The course is divided into sections of varying levels which last a semester each and students are grouped according to ability by placement test at the start of the school year.
Counterpoint (Honors)
The advanced music student studies the techniques of 16th and 18th century counterpoint in this elective course. Analyses of contrapuntal works by the masters are studied. Counterpoint receives honors credit. Prerequisite for Counterpoint is Music Theory III. This course is offered when enrollment and staffing permit.
Diction for Singers
Correct pronunciation of Italian, French, German and English languages is studied as vocal students recite song texts as poetry, listen to native speakers whenever possible and study recordings of representative song repertoire. Students receive an introduction to the International Phonetic Alphabet. This course is required for vocal majors.
Film Scoring – Prerequisite: Music Theory III and permission of Music department chair
An original musical score plays an essential role in the success of any motion picture. This course, jointly given by the Music and the Moving Pictures departments, delves into the art and craft of creating music for film. Special emphasis is placed on the collaboration between the composer and the director as we study how music works in a visual medium and how it is created, both traditionally and electronically. Students learn how the computer and a host of musical software have become essential to the composer as he works in this exciting field.
Introduction to Music Theory
A beginning course for Music majors and non-majors who have little or no background in music theory, this course prepares the musician for entry into the music theory series.
Jazz Improvisation
This is a training ground for aspiring jazz enthusiasts at all levels of advancement. Standard charts are used for examples of style and performance. Open to all students with consent of instructor.
Music History
This challenging class is a lively and enlightening survey of Western traditional music including Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th century periods. Prerequisite is Music Theory I or consent of the instructor.
Music Theory I - III
This series of classes teaches the musician how to look at music from the composer's point of view. With this ability the student is able to make intelligent decisions about interpretation and emotional direction. Students gain basic knowledge of musical terminology, symbols, harmony and contrapuntal voice leading, culminating in advanced structural and harmonic analysis. Training in aural skills, including interval recognition, melodic, harmonic and rhythmic dictation, and sight singing is included in each level of theory. One may be placed directly into Music Theory II or III depending on placement testing. Music Theory III receives AP credit and students enrolled are expected to take the Advanced Placement Music Theory examination.
Musical Ensembles
Each semester Music majors are selected for ensembles pertinent to their musical development.
Participation is competitive and by audition only. Assignment is entirely at the discretion of the Music faculty. Numbers and types of ensembles change each semester depending upon enrollment and the artistic needs of the students.
Opera Literature
This class introduces Music majors to the librettos and scores of standard operas by Mozart, Rossini, Puccini, Verdi, etc. Opera Literature is offered when staffing permits.
Orchestra
The Idyllwild Arts Academy Orchestra provides an unparalleled learning experience for the string, wind and percussion students of the Music department. Several performances of the orchestra are scheduled each year. This orchestra is also a professional performing ensemble, hired each season by concert promoters, civic organizations, churches and other music lovers to perform for the public. Professional standards of preparation and behavior of all members are expected at all rehearsals and concerts. Performance in the orchestra at any time during the year is a privilege to be earned rather than a right. Participation in all performances is entirely at the discretion of the Music chair and the conducting faculty.
Percussion Ensemble
An interesting and informative course on percussion technique as well as an opportunity to perform on various idiophones and membranophones, this course is highly recommended for those who want to improve their rhythmic sense. This ensemble is for majors with consent of the instructor.
Piano Performance Class
This class is required for piano majors and is designed to give them the opportunity to perform pieces that are new in their repertoire in a pressure-free environment. It is intended to help prepare students for solo recitals and public performances.
Piano Literature
Intended for piano majors, this course is a survey of solo and concerto literature written for the piano from the development of the pianoforte to the present. Emphasis is on composers' influences and performance practices. Students perform in class. Participation in the course is recommended in the junior or senior year.
Private Lessons
One hour private instruction is available for most orchestral instruments, guitar, piano, composition and voice. Lessons are given once a week, twelve per semester. Intensive practice on major instruments is required. Senior Music majors are required to give a full recital; junior Music majors are required to give a half recital. All students except seniors are required to participate in recital class each week. Recital class is a weekly performance opportunity monitored by all the Music faculty. Piano and voice lessons are available for non-Music majors. Additional private lessons for non-majors may be possible subject to the availability of a suitable instructor. Participation is by audition or consent of instructor. Students must complete Theory II before beginning private composition lessons. There is an additional fee for private lessons. Academy students study with teachers assigned to them by the Music department chair. In extremely unusual circumstances and after careful consideration, the Music faculty and the Dean of the Arts may choose to change a student’s private instructor. Any change in private instruction must be approved by the Dean of the Arts, the Music department chair and both private instructors.
Senior Seminar
A required yearlong course for the senior Music major, this workshop addresses issues of time management, goal setting, college applications and auditions, and recital preparation. Students learn to structure their time in order to gain more productivity during the senior year when demands outside of the classroom become great.
Voice Performance Class
This class offers voice majors the opportunity to perform songs that are new in their repertoire. Positive criticism designed to help the singer with diction, musical accuracy and interpretation is provided for each singer.
