GENERAL PROGRAM (Instrumental)

Most students enroll in the CCMS General Program, desiring to learn the basics of playing their instrument and reading music. Although these areas are the primary focus of instruction, the General Program, in an effort to train the ENTIRE musician's development, includes all of the following: instrumental techniques, technical development, music reading, ear training, and jazz.

Because, as musicians, we ultimately deal with sound, Ear Training is a basic and necessary skill for all musicians. Jazz (at its most basic level) is utilized for two basic reasons - to tap into the student's creativity, and because it's really fun!

JAZZ

The JAZZ curriculum essentially focuses on the art of improvisation, but also investigates the history and culture of this truly American art form. Students on any level and on any instrument may enroll in the CCMS Jazz program. The only suggested prerequisite is the knowledge of the 12 major scales and corresponding key signatures, but this prerequisite is not necessary to begin an exploration of jazz. The JAZZ curriculum includes:

Jazz theory (chords and progressions)

Melodic development

Technical development

Ear training

Listening

MUSIC THEORY

The MUSIC THEORY curriculum is available to any student of music, regardless of level, and includes an exploration of the basic musical ingredients of composition (melody, harmony, & rhythm), leading to ARRANGING and/or SONGWRITING. Students also learn the use of music software and are able to record everything that they compose or arrange!

CONDUCTING

Many band programs provide students with the opportunity to become Student Conductors, but, because of time limitations, can only offer the most basic instruction. The CCMS CONDUCTING program affords the student the chance to excel, not only as a musical conductor, but also in the area of student leadership. Beginning with the basics of conducting patterns and cueing, students will also work with full symphonic scores and recordings, and can be video taped for purposes of visual analysis.

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