Upper School Curriculum

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Music

The Upper School music curriculum offers both open-admission ensembles and higher-level auditioned groups in instrumental and choral music. Performances are an integral part of the music program. Formal evening concerts in the fall and spring are supplemented by in-school assembly performances and by special, off-campus performance opportunities, adjudication
events, and singing camps throughout the year.

  • Symphonic Band

    Symphonic Band is open to instrumentalists of any level, including but not limited to students who play violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, piano, guitar, bass, drums, and percussion. The group studies, rehearses, and performs works from the traditional orchestral and band repertoire, as well as contemporary film scores and newly composed works from various styles—from Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Stravinsky to Williams, Hisashi, and Goransson. Attention is given to developing the tools and skills needed to meet the performance demands of a large ensemble, while providing students with an artistically fulfilling experience. The group performs in assemblies and concerts throughout the year.

  • Jazz 2

    Jazz 2 is an ensemble open to all woodwind, brass, string, and rhythm section instruments, including piano, guitar, bass, and drums. Its mission is to introduce students to jazz, one of the great American art forms. Emphasizing the strong aural tradition that exists in jazz, students gain familiarity with song forms and improvisational styles associated with the music of such legendary artists as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Miles  Davis, Charles Mingus, and others, mixed with contemporary artists in various genres such as fusion, pop, funk, rock, and music from other cultures. The focus is on developing rehearsal and performance skills including reading, interpretation, section playing, improvisation, and playing as an ensemble. The Jazz 2 ensemble performs regularly at school concerts and assemblies.

  • Jazz 1

    Membership in this ensemble is at the discretion of the instructor.

    Jazz 1 is an advanced large ensemble continuing in the study of jazz music, with a greater emphasis on big band repertoire like that of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Thad Jones, and Toshiko Akiyoshi, as well as contemporary composers and genres. The class focuses on the development of rehearsal and performance skills and creating a cohesive ensemble sound while learning about musical forms, harmonic progressions, music history, and improvisation with its applied techniques such as chord/scale relationships. The Jazz 1 ensemble performs regularly at school concerts and assemblies. This group fosters the development of the more advanced and dedicated musician.

  • Trevor Jazz Lab 1 - Advanced

    (former course title: Trevor Clefs)
    Prerequisites: Enrollment is by audition and the instructor’s discretion.

    Trevor Jazz Lab 1 is an advanced jazz combo available to students wishing to further develop advanced jazz performance and improvisation skills within a small ensemble setting. Emphasis is placed on theoretical concepts such as form, harmonic progression, comping, ear training, and improvisation as they relate to the particular repertoire. The group travels to at least one national jazz festival per year—recent festival locations have included Philadelphia, Boston, and Reno. The band also performs regularly at school concerts. Members of Trevor Lab 1 are expected to provide leadership within the Upper School Instrumental program and should participate in at least one other ensemble.

  • Intro to Music Theory

    As a study of the building blocks of music, music theory is an essential tool for all musicians, or anyone interested in developing a deeper understanding of how music works. The course covers theory foundations such as rhythms, notation, scales, intervals, and chords, providing students with a common technical language and a means of understanding music’s organization. The course also covers ear-training, basic diatonic harmony, composition, voice leading, and orchestration. Music Theory is a project-based course that encourages students to apply what they have learned by creating original compositions either by hand or using digital programs such as Noteflight, Sibelius, and Logic.

  • Intermediate Music Theory

    Intermediate Theory is a more in-depth study of the building blocks of music. The course covers ear-training, major and minor diatonic harmony, 7th-chord harmony and voice leading, melodic development, compositional techniques, and orchestration. Music Theory is a project-based course that encourages students to apply what they have learned by creating original compositions either by hand or using digital programs such as Noteflight, Sibelius, and Logic.

  • Advanced Music Theory

    Enrollment is by application and the instructor’s discretion.

    Advanced Theory is a deeper dive into musical concepts covering ear-training, major and minor diatonic and non-diatonic harmony, 7th-chord harmony, voice leading, modes and modal harmony, analysis, melodic development, compositional techniques, and orchestration. Music Theory is a project-based course that encourages students to apply what they have learned by creating extended original compositions either by hand or using digital programs such as Noteflight, Sibelius, and Logic.

  • Grades 9–12 Treble Chorus

    The Treble Chorus cultivates musicianship and community through the study and performance of a diverse repertoire of music for soprano, mezzo-soprano, and alto voices from many eras, styles, and cultures, and in many languages. Vocal training includes tone production, breathing, diction, dynamics, and attention to musical phrasing. The curriculum and rehearsal process emphasize the development of musical literacy through sight-singing and the study of basic music theory, history, and terminology as they relate to the scores being studied, as well as the cultivation of musical independence and poise in performance. The Treble Chorus performs a number of times each year at concerts and assemblies; the group often combines forces with the Troubadours to sing significant works from the mixed chorus repertoire. The Treble Chorus and Troubadours also have the honor of performing the National Anthem at a New York Mets game in the spring.

  • Grades 9–12 Troubadours

    The Troubadours cultivate musicianship and community through the study and performance of a diverse repertoire of music for tenor, baritone, and bass voices from many eras, styles, and cultures, and in many languages. Vocal training includes tone production, breathing, diction, dynamics, and attention to musical phrasing. The curriculum and rehearsal process emphasize the development of musical literacy through sight-singing and the study of basic music theory, history, and terminology as they relate to the scores being studied, as well as the cultivation of musical independence and poise in performance. The Troubadours perform a number of times each year at concerts and assemblies; the group often combines forces with the Treble Chorus to sing significant works from the mixed chorus repertoire. The Troubadours and Treble Chorus also have the honor of performing the National Anthem at a New York Mets game in the spring.

  • A Cappella: Grades 10–12

    Prerequisites: A Cappella is an advanced ensemble for the most experienced choral musicians; enrollment is by audition and the instructor’s permission.

    Through the study and performance of a diverse repertoire of unaccompanied vocal music from the 13th century to the present, in many languages and from a variety of cultural traditions, A Cappella focuses on developing and opening the voice, honing and applying musical skills, and cultivating musical independence and poise in performance. Skill development includes sight-singing, count-singing, independent part-singing, and vocal technique. Students analyze musical works and their challenges, applying a wide variety of analytical and rehearsal techniques to find solutions—independently and in groups— to understand and effectively communicate the composer’s musical and emotional intentions. A Cappella members are expected to provide leadership for the Upper School Choral Program; as Trevor’s flagship choral ensemble, A Cappella is afforded a myriad of performance opportunities, both on and off campus.

  • Performance Opportunities

    In the music performing arts departments, performance opportunities are an integral part of assessing classwork and maximizing the learning experience. All classes are activity-based, so students develop their knowledge and technique by putting their work in front of others. This starts in class (where peers provide valuable feedback and discussion) and culminates in various public performance opportunities. Ultimately, one becomes a performing artist by engaging in the process of presenting work in front of an audience. This is a core value shared in music, dance, and theatre arts.

  • Upper School Drama & Musical

    The Upper School musical is a collaborative venture of the dance, music, and theatre arts departments. Recently, we presented Amélie, the Musical. Other musicals have included Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret, Chicago, Urinetown, and The Addams Family. Dramatic plays have included everything from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Grapes of Wrath, to more contemporary plays, such as Middletown and Museum. Both performance opportunities are open to all Upper School students and each alternates between the fall and spring. Auditions are required.

Faculty

  • Photo of Nathan Birkey
    Nathan Birkey
    Middle and Upper School Music Teacher and Advisor, Music Department Chair
    (212) 426-3369
  • Photo of Jameelah Taylor
    Jameelah Taylor
    Middle and Upper School Chorus Director and Advisor
    Bio
Ambitious academics.  Engaged students.  Balanced lives.

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