The Holliston High School music department’s Current Curriculum is unique in many ways among school programs. In addition to a vibrant band and chorus program that reaches over 130 students each year, the program offers 12 elective classes which are open to all students.
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· Guitar
· Percussion Lab · Piano Lab* · Vocal Methods* · Stage Performance Techniques · Composition and Arranging* · Introduction to Music Technology** |
· Songwriting*
· Music of the Stage · Bach, Beatles, Beyonce · Music as Protest · Create Your Own Music Movies** · Introduction to Music Business |
- ** These course are new additions for the 2015-2016 schools year!
- Each class is taught for one term (9 weeks).
- Classes marked * are open ended and may be taken several times.
- Each class meets for a standard block period – 77 minutes per day.
- Each class receives grade and credit equal to any other subject.
- Most classes will have the option of Honors Level status that will create a more rigorous curriculum.
- The department, with two full time teachers, can cover 20 class sections per year. We will be able to enroll more than half the school with 2 teachers!
The department is creating a new and very progressive curriculum that will bring all classes in line with 21st Century learning practices, such as creativity and critical thinking.
This requires us to bring our teaching tools up to date with our teaching tools so we can keep pace with current trends in the music industry.
What will be NEW with the NEW MUSIC CURRICULUM?
Classes already in the curriculum will incorporate updated, hands-on teaching techniques which will be designed to:
- Require students to become active participants in the classroom
- Develop critical thinking skills
- Enable students to gain deeper knowledge and understanding of the material
- Allow more effective differentiated instruction
- Encourage students to work in groups to develop learning skills critical to their professional and personal lives
New classes are being developed with equipment and software updates from the Music Technology Program:
- Music Technology: an introductory class to learn basics of the software required for future classes
- Sampling and Looping: students will explore technical processes used in creating much of today’s music
- Advanced Film Scoring: a follow-up class to the "Create Your Own Movie Music" in which students compose their own music for movie scenes.
- Sound Recording Techniques: students will learn the recording process in a hands-on curriculum for live recording and editing
Who Will Be Teaching in the Lab?
Sean Bilodeau and Stuart Britton
Stuart Britton – HHS Chorus Director / Music Elective Instructor
Stuart is beginning his 10th year at HHS and his 30th in teaching music in Massachusetts public schools. He holds two degrees in Music Education: Eastman School of Music, Rochester NY and Akron University, Akron OH.
In addition to directing award winning choral and instrumental ensembles during his teaching career, he has taught numerous class subjects in high school music electives, including composition, arranging, songwriting, piano, percussion, vocal methods and numerous areas of music appreciation (including jazz, rock, popular, classical and musical theater genres). In all his classes, he incorporates multiple technological elements through class presentations, music composition and arranging, and student research projects.
As a musician, he is a brass performance specialist. As a conductor, he has served as community band conductor in several Massachusetts community bands and has been a clinician/conductor for music festivals. As a composer, he has written (and performed) repertoire for chorus and band for both secondary school and professional levels (and uses Finale software extensively). In the theater, he has served as music director in school and community theaters for over 30 shows and has also directed and acted in several shows.
Stuart is beginning his 10th year at HHS and his 30th in teaching music in Massachusetts public schools. He holds two degrees in Music Education: Eastman School of Music, Rochester NY and Akron University, Akron OH.
In addition to directing award winning choral and instrumental ensembles during his teaching career, he has taught numerous class subjects in high school music electives, including composition, arranging, songwriting, piano, percussion, vocal methods and numerous areas of music appreciation (including jazz, rock, popular, classical and musical theater genres). In all his classes, he incorporates multiple technological elements through class presentations, music composition and arranging, and student research projects.
As a musician, he is a brass performance specialist. As a conductor, he has served as community band conductor in several Massachusetts community bands and has been a clinician/conductor for music festivals. As a composer, he has written (and performed) repertoire for chorus and band for both secondary school and professional levels (and uses Finale software extensively). In the theater, he has served as music director in school and community theaters for over 30 shows and has also directed and acted in several shows.
Sean Bilodeau – HHS Band Director / Music Elective Instructor
Sean has a Master’s degree in World Music Performance from California Institute of the Arts, a Bachelor’s degree in Percussion Performance and Music Education from Ithaca College (NY), and has studied traditional Irish music at the University of Limerick (Ireland).
Sean has taught students from the ages of four to adult in a variety of settings including private/group lessons, master classes, clinics, general music classes and ensembles ranging from trios to full 80 piece concert bands. In her teaching and other musical endeavors, she has extensively used all of the software that is being planned for the HHS Computer Lab.
Sean has a Master’s degree in World Music Performance from California Institute of the Arts, a Bachelor’s degree in Percussion Performance and Music Education from Ithaca College (NY), and has studied traditional Irish music at the University of Limerick (Ireland).
Sean has taught students from the ages of four to adult in a variety of settings including private/group lessons, master classes, clinics, general music classes and ensembles ranging from trios to full 80 piece concert bands. In her teaching and other musical endeavors, she has extensively used all of the software that is being planned for the HHS Computer Lab.
