School Music Education Program

The expansion of Wyncote Academy’s music education program has led to classes being offered on two separate days each week. In addition, special classes will be offered relating to specific musical topics. The listing will change at the end of each quarter during the school year.

Classes are limited to small groups and dependent on the students’ appropriate behavior and participation during class. Emphasis is on ensemble performance and interaction.

Motown from 1959 to Circa 1971

Barry Gordy wanted to be a music mogul and set up Hitsville, a tiny recording studio in Detroit, Michigan. He had the drive and the savvy, and eventually oversaw a powerful music dynasty. How did he do it and what was the music all bout? We will examine and perform some of those classic early Motown hits using the class equipment. Be prepared for your parents to offer unsolicited suggestions and opinions!

TV Theme Music

Many TV shows, including cartoon shows, had memorable theme music or signature songs, and are still being heard via cable syndication – even shows from the 1950′s! We can have fun examining, discussing, and learning to perform certain aspects of the instrumental themes and songs.

General Musicianship for Beginners

Using the class equipment (drums, keyboards, guitar, bass, mics) we will work on basic musical expression syntax (melody/lyrics, harmony, rhythm, and form).

Chord formulas for keyboards, guitar basics, bass basics, drumming basics. We will use material current and familiar to most participants.

Music Class for Females Only!

Subject and material to be decided by participants.

Music for Films

We will watch and listen to some footage from select films where the musical underscore, soundscape, or opening theme was noticeable. We will compile a list of movies the class thinks had a compelling theme, audio soundscape, or music underscore. Using the class equipment, we will recreate some of the music and sound, and also try our hand at composing music and sound for short sections of existing films.

Autopsy of a Hit Record

Was it the vocal delivery, charisma, the lyrics, the drum track or bass line? Was it the quirky guitar riff backing or the catchy keyboard reinforcement that “sold” the song? We will choose current popular hits and top 40 hits from past eras for full dissection. We will not overlook the element of “context” – where and when you first heard a song and in what emotional state. Not for the squeamish! Be prepared for your treasured song, and personal memory, to be cut up and probed!

Advanced Music Project Class – Audition Required

For the serious and experienced music student. Topics will include working on and recording original material, reworking an old hit with a different emphasis; adding and reinforcing parts of a familiar song through new backing instrumental tracks, new vocal harmony backing, or by adding original verses to storytelling songs.

Current Music Production Techniques

This will be an equipment intensive course using equipment like the Roland Variphrase 9000. Course pending equipment availability.