Under the guidance of Mr. Steve Bill and Mrs. Randi Wartelsky, the Music Track is designed to help students develop the skills necessary to compose, arrange, record, and perform music (instrumental and/or vocal) on a professional level. Students gain exposure to the latest recording technologies and composition techniques. The track also includes demonstrations by professional instrumentalists in the skill of writing music for the students’ specific instruments. In addition, students have the opportunity to compose music for film and video, as well as for the Frisch Performance Ensemble and Jazz Band. Vocalists arrange music for four-part voice, write harmonies that fall within the chordal structure, and study techniques that enable them to grow and develop their singing. The goal of the four year Music Track is to equip students as professional performers, composers, orchestrators, music producers, or educators.
Music theory is a study of the mechanics of scales, chords, melody, and harmony. Lessons use an original text developed especially for this program which provides an accelerated method of study with practical examples of application.
Arranging is the examination of arranging sounds in an orchestra. Students learn about different instruments in the orchestra, including woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, and the modern rhythm section. They also learn how to write for each instrument, and explore how to combine sounds. Composition is the art of writing original music. Students are exposed to great historical and contemporary composers. Analyses of standard and popular material help students learn the skills necessary for composing songs, writing commercial music, and scoring for film and advertising. Students explore microphone types and usage, analog and digital recording techniques, signal path, outboard gear, digital editing, mixing, and mastering. Students may work with recording instrumentalists and learn all practical aspects of producing recorded material.
During junior year, students advance their composition, production and recording skills and compose and arrange music for Frisch’s Performance Ensemble and Jazz Band, as well as for guest instrumentalists.
Students enhance their performance skills in a group setting, analyze performance material, develop their understanding of harmonic and melodic concepts of improvising, and examine jazz material. They strengthen their ability to compose, orchestrate, and arrange, in addition to learning band leading and modern conducting techniques.