Bengal Chorus (General A & B)
Students learn the fundamentals of choral singing technique, including diction, breathing, tone production, intonation, and sight-reading. Membership is this choral group is open to all students and previous choral experience is not required. A wide variety of choral music is used, and the group performs occasionally at school and community programs. This course may be repeated for credit.
|
Blake Big Band (Jazz 1) A& B
This ensemble is designed for the development of all individuals interested in jazz and popular music and is open to all instrument types. Students should be prepared to learn jazz, Latin, rock, and funk rhythms and musical progressions. Performances will be scheduled during the process based upon the development of the class. An emphasis will be placed on jazz history and performance techniques. This ensemble prepares the student for higher level of performance and may be a prerequisite for membership in the Eubie Blake Jazz Ensemble. An audition/interview with the director is required.
|
Chamber Orchestra A& B
This course is open to all string players (Violin, Viola, Cello, and String Bass) grades 9-12 who have completed at least one year of an orchestra program at the middle school or high school level. This class is designed to offer students a wide variety of string experience using many musical styles such as classical, romantic, baroque, 20th century, and modern works. Performances are used as evaluative instruments (tests and quizzes). Several evening performances are required as an integral part of the curriculum. No audition required.
|
Chamber Singers A & B
Chamber Singers is a select ensemble that provides a musical challenge to students with more than average talent and interest. The ensemble has a very active performing schedule, and offers leadership opportunities for student soloists and student conductors. Students will sing and study a variety of music literature. The historical, social, and aesthetic perspectives of works will be researched and discussed. Emphasis is on developing advanced vocal and music reading skills, and in-depth knowledge of music theory. Students will study improvisation, and music composition and arranging. Students will develop critical listening skills to use in evaluating their performances as well as performances of others. Several evening performances are required as an integral part of the curriculum. An audition is required.
|
Concert Band A & B
This course is designed to be an entry-level class for Wind and Percussion players enrolled in instrumental music. This course explores various styles and forms in order to give students an opportunity to succeed as Instrumental music students. This ensemble is a prerequisite for acceptance into Symphonic Winds and Jazz Ensemble. The importance of consistent and effective practice habits continues to be stressed. Music performed is based on the level of proficiency of the class. This course may be repeated once for credit. Students enrolled in this class are expected to participate for the full school year. Several evening performances and marching band (fall quarter only) are required as an integral part of the curriculum. No audition is required.
|
Festival Chorus 1A & B
Festival Chorus is a chorus for students with some previous singing experience and some music reading skills. Emphasis is on learning the fundamentals of choral singing technique including diction, breathing, tone production, intonation, and sight-reading. . Students will sing and study a variety of music literature. Several evening performances are required as an integral part of the curriculum. An audition is required.
|
Guitar 1A & 1B
This course is open to all students regardless of music background. Students learn beginning guitar technique including selected major, minor, and seventh chords; basic finger picks and strums; and tuning technique in the Blake Music Technology Laboratory. Students will use a combination of traditional instruction and the latest in music technology to learn music notation, ear training, and sight reading. Music theory and historical perspective are studied as they relate to guitar performance. This course can be repeated for credit.
|
Guitar 2A & 2B
This course is open to students who have successfully completed Guitar 1A & 1B or have previous guitar training. Students will continue to develop guitar technique including major, minor, and seventh chords, finger picks and strums in the Blake Music Technology Laboratory. Students will use a combination of traditional instruction and the latest in music technology to continue their development of music notation, ear training, and sight reading skills. Music theory and historical perspective are studied as they relate to guitar performance. Guitar songs used are a variety of musical styles including popular and folk music. This course can be repeated for credit.
|
“Eubie Blake” Jazz Ensemble A & B (Honors)
Enrollment in this class is by teacher recommendation and audition only. This is one of the highest performance level classes offered at Blake. Students should have a high level of proficiency on their instrument and should be wiling to explore improvisation. Enrollment in this class is limited to the instrumentation of a large jazz ensemble. That instrumentation is five saxophones (two altos, two tenors, and one baritone), five trombones, five trumpets, two guitars, two bases, two percussionists and two pianists. The teacher must approve additional instrumentation. Students enrolled in this class should have successfully completed one year in Orchestra, Concert Band, or Symphonic Band. The Jazz Ensemble is expected to perform literature played/learned in class. Performances are used as evaluative instruments (tests and quizzes). Several evening performances are required as an integral part or the curriculum. An audition is required.
|
Jazz/Show Choir A & B
Jazz/Show Choir is a select ensemble that provides a musical challenge to students with more than average talent and interest. The ensemble has an active performing schedule, and offers leadership opportunities for student soloists, conductors, and choreographers. Performance often requires dance/movement to enhance the musical presentation. Students will sing and study a variety of music literature. The historical, social, and aesthetic perspectives of works will be researched and discussed. Emphasis is on developing advanced vocal and music reading skills, and in-depth knowledge of music theory. Students will also learn to integrate good vocal technique with dance/movement. Students will study improvisation, and music composition and arranging. Students will develop critical listening skills to use in evaluating their performances as well as performances of others. Several evening performances are required as an integral part of the curriculum. An audition is required.
|
Music History & Perspectives
Students analyze and discuss jazz, folk, popular, and classical music representing a variety of eras and cultures. Through listening, performing, and composing, students learn about music notation, form, and style. They examine the art of performance from the perspective of the audience, the performer, and the critic. Attendance at live performances is encouraged.
|
AP Music Theory & Composition A & B
Students with a strong interest in music or music careers, including performers, arrangers, composers, producers, and music educators will gain increased fluency in all aspects of music notation while strengthening skills in tonal imagery and memory. Practice in sight-singing, dictation, composition, improvisation, and score analysis will prepare the students to meet the requirements of the College Board for advanced placement in music theory.
|
Music Technology A & B
This course is open to students in grades 10, 11, and 12 who have successfully completed a Blake music class or have teacher approval. Students use music, writing, and performance skills to create their own music compositions. Students learn the techniques of electronic sound production and manipulation in the Blake music technology lab. Using specialized equipment and computer software, students synthesize, modify, and record sounds. Students analyze and evaluate examples of electronic music, as well as works featuring the use of electronic music in combination with other art forms.
Students extend their knowledge and skills introduced in Music Technology A. They use computers to record and edit musical performances, and to create and print music notation. Career options in electronic music are explored.
|
Percussion Ensemble A & B
Enrollment in this class is by teacher recommendation and audition only. Percussion Ensemble is designed as a small group of performing musicians on various instruments such as all sizes of drums, piano/synthesizer, mallet instruments, timpani, tonal basses, cymbals, and more. This ensemble will perform various works of the 20th and 21st century, and music reading skills is required. Performances are used as evaluative instruments (test and quizzes). Several evening performances and rehearsals are required as an integral part of the curriculum.
|
Philharmonic Orchestra A & B
Enrollment in this class is by teacher recommendation and audition only. Philharmonic Orchestra is the highest-level, large ensemble for combining strings with woodwind, brass, and percussion players at Blake. Students who enroll in this course should have completed one year of Chamber Orchestra or Concert Band. This ensemble is open to the following instruments only: violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, horn, tuba, piano, and percussion. Students explore a wide variety of musical styles such as classical, romantic, baroque, 20th century, and modern works and perform at the highest possible proficiency level (grades 4 through 6). Performances are used as evaluative instruments (tests and quizzes). Several evening rehearsals and performances are required as an integral part of the curriculum. An audition is required.
|
Piano Lab 1A & 1B
Laboratory- type instruction is designed to acquaint students with beginning piano technique. Without pressure of public performance, students learn a variety of popular and folk songs, and learn about the functions of music in the Blake Music Technology Laboratory. Students will use a combination of traditional instruction and the latest in music technology to learn music notation, keyboard harmony, ear training, and sight singing. Music theory and historical perspective are studied as they relate to piano performance.
|
Piano Lab 2A & 2B
This course is designed to build on the skills learned in Piano Lab 1. Laboratory- type instruction is designed to extend playing technique to the intermediate and advanced levels. Students learn a variety of popular and folk songs, and expand their knowledge of music in the Blake Music Technology Laboratory. Students will use a combination of traditional instruction and the latest in music technology to learn music notation, keyboard harmony, ear training, and sight singing. Music theory and historical perspective are studied as they relate to piano performance.
|
Show Choir A & B
Students continue to build on skills learned in Chorus 1 and perform music of increasing difficulty. Appreciation of the cultural, historical, and aesthetic qualities of each piece is deepened through more thorough investigation of the music.
|
Symphonic Winds A & B
Enrollment in this class is by teacher recommendation and audition only. Symphonic Winds is the highest-level large ensemble for Wind and Percussion players at Blake. Students who enroll in this course should have completed one year of Concert Band. Students explore a wide variety of musical styles and perform at the highest possible proficiency level (grades 4 through 6). Performances are used as evaluative instruments (tests and quizzes.) The importance of consistent and effective practice habits continues to be stressed. Students enrolled in this class are expected to participate for the full school year. Several evening performances and marching band (fall quarter only) are required as an integral part of the curriculum. An audition is required
|
Women’s Chorale A & B (Concert)
Concert Choir provides choral instruction for students whose singing skills and musicianship demonstrate readiness to perform challenging repertoire. An audition is required for membership, and previous choral experience is expected. Emphasis is on refining choral production, performance, and notational skills. Music representing a broad variety of historical eras and cultures is performed. Frequent performances are given at school and in the community. An audition is required.
|
Staff Bios
Shirley J. Letcher
Master of Education, 1993, George Washington University, Washington, DC
MEQ Music, S.U.N.Y, NY
Bachelor of Arts 1971, Montclair State College, NJ
Shirley Letcher has been a teacher of music, theatre, and arts for over thirty years, from pre-school to community college. She has traveled extensively throughout her career, teaching and performing in New York, New Jersey, Alaska, and Maryland. She has sung at Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center under the batons of Eugene Ormandy, Robert Shaw, Mistlav Rostapovich, Sarah Caldwell, and Aaron Copland; and performed regularly with the United States Army Band at West Point, NY.
Ms. Letcher’s choirs have received Superior ratings at both the state and local levels. She adjudicates for chorus festivals in Maryland and has served as a judge for the All-State choruses in both Maryland and Alaska.
In addition to classroom teaching, Ms. Letcher is an expert in the use of technology in education. She has presented work at state, national, and international conferences, including the National School Board’s "Technology and Learning Conference, 2000"; the International Conference on Telecommunications in Education, 1995; and the Maryland State Music Conference, 1995, 1996, 1999. Articles about the Blake music technology programs have appeared in national magazines.
Ms. Letcher has also worked on teams to draft and revise the music curriculum for the Maryland Department of Education (1998) and the Montgomery County, Maryland, "Program of Studies" (1998). She was a writer of MD State Fine Arts Assessment pilot – High School Music, 2000. Her writing credits include: Blues in the Promised Land, Cable in the Classroom, January 1996, and Curriculum Connections, Cable in the Classroom, October 1997. She has contributed material for: Swiggum, Strategies for Teaching, MENC, 1998; Kaplan, Cooperative Learning in Music, MENC, 1995.
Brian A. Damron
Brian Damron, a native of Topeka, Kansas, is in his third year as Instrumental Music Director here at James Hubert Blake High School. A graduate of the Armed Forces School of Music, Case Western Reserve University, and the Cleveland Institute of Music, he brings a wealth of knowledge in music performance to Blake. Brian has served as a professional musician, public relations director, and associate conductor with the US Marine Corps Bands for seven years. In addition, Mr. Damron has performed major saxophone concerti with the Cleveland Orchestra and the St. Louis Symphony. A lover of jazz, he has also performed with the 29th Street Jazz Quartet, the North Coast Sax Quartet and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. He has also served as the associate conductor for many professional ensembles, instructor for the International Association for Jazz Educators, and as a clinician and adjudicator for many national and regional music festivals. Mr. Damron attributes his success in music to the wonderful education he received while growing up. Keeping with that tradition at Blake High School, Brian Damron has implemented many new programs that have brought great credit to the students and school. Understanding the need and motivation involved with quality public performances, Mr. Damron has increased the performance schedule of the award winning Eubie Blake Jazz Ensemble to over fifty performances a year; to include the East Coast Jazz Festival, the Cherry Blossom Festival, numerous community performances and a sold out benefit concert with Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band. Thanks to his energy and drive, the Roaring Bengals Marching Band has tripled in size and now performs fantastic field shows during the football season, numerous community parades, and has won the coveted “Best Band” Award at the 2004 Washington DC St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The band has now been invited and will perform at the 71st Annual Nokia Sugar Bowl in New Orleans in January of 2005. Mr. Brian Damron would like to credit the success of the music program at Blake High School, to the focus, desire, and dedication of his over 250 students.
Jon Eising
Jon Eising is in his 3 rd year at Blake High School serving as Orchestra Director, Director of Brass, Director of Percussion Ensemble and Assistant Director of Marching Band. Mr. Eising is originally from Gaithersburg Maryland where he attended Montgomery County Public Schools. He is also currently a third year Graduate Assistant with the University of Maryland Bands in College Park where he aids in the instruction of the “Mighty Sound of Maryland” Marching Band, Concert Band, and Pep band. Mr. Eising received his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from the University of Oklahoma in 2002. While at OU he marched in the “Pride of Oklahoma” Marching Band for 5 years and played in the Symphony Orchestra for 4 years. He was also employed by the University to direct a class made up of retired musicians called the New Horizons Band. Upon graduation Mr. Eising taught instrumental music in Noble, Oklahoma for two years where he instructed students from the beginning to advanced levels. He also played professionally with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic from 1999 through 2002. He is currently finishing his Masters Degree in French Horn Performance at the University of Maryland studying with Marty Hackleman, principal horn with the National Symphony in Washington D.C. Mr. Eising also performs throughout the Washington DC Metro Area with the M Street Brass Quintet who most recently performed at the Kennedy Center. His professional affiliations include The Maryland Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, and the American String Teachers Association.
|
