Music
The goals of the Music Department are to encourage ensemble participation, enhance knowledge of music theory and history, and build musicianship by offering a wide variety of musical groups and theory application courses, from beginning to advanced level. Emphasis is placed on accuracy of rhythm, pitch, dynamics, and blend to build confidence in performance skills. In addition to formal theory courses, the Music Department incorporates notation, pitch recognition, and tonal memory into the practice of each ensemble.
Students may choose to join a number of music groups, including chorus, chamber choir, jazz choir, jazz instrumental ensemble, and/or orchestra. They participate in musical and theatrical performances and in state and national musical competitions including CMEA choral festivals. Many Kirby students audition and are selected for the Central Coast Section, Regional, State, and American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Honor Choirs and Orchestras.
Middle School Music
Middle school students have one semester of music in sixth grade and one semester in seventh grade as part of their two-year arts rotation. In sixth Grade World Music focus is on the music and cultures of Africa, and follows the route of slavery into the Caribbean, South America, and North America, noting slavery’s impact on music and culture. In seventh grade, students are provided with the tools that help them experience music on a deeper level. They practice perceptive listening and music is placed within a cultural and historical context to clarify the context of a variety of music styles. Middle school students may join the Chorus and students in eighth grade may audition for the Jazz Ensemble.
High School Music
Chorus
The Chorus vocal ensemble is open to students in grades 6 through 12 and meets before school each day. It requires no audition or prerequisite and is designed to introduce the beginning/intermediate singer to proper vocal, choral and performance techniques. Previous knowledge of music theory is helpful but not required; basic music reading skills are incorporated into the course as well as age-appropriate musicianship, rehearsal techniques, concert etiquette, and responsibilities associated with membership in a performance group. The class studies choral repertoire ranging from medieval chant to twentieth century literature, including pop and jazz music and performs at two music nights and many other school functions.
Chamber Choir
Chamber Choir is open to students in grades 9-12 who demonstrate an upper-intermediate level of vocal ability and basic knowledge of music theory. An audition is required and members must have been in the Chorus for one year or demonstrate an equivalent level of proficiency. Chamber Choir meets daily and studies musical genres ranging from early Renaissance madrigals to jazz and other contemporary styles. Rehearsals prepare students for extensive performances including GBK Music Night, CMEA (California Association for Musical Education) choral festivals, and other school and community events. Students in this ensemble also audition for regional and honors choirs in which they are able to work with talented choral singers under the direction of professional conductors.
Jazz Choir
Jazz Choir is open to students in grades 9-12 who demonstrate an upper-intermediate level of vocal ability and basic knowledge of music theory. An audition is required and members must be enrolled in Chamber Choir concurrently. Jazz Choir meets two times per week with 3-4 rehearsals per semester. Jazz choir studies the vocal jazz genre and works on stylings from the genre including close harmonies and scat singing. Rehearsals prepare students for extensive performances, including GBK Music Night, vocal jazz festivals and clinics, and other school and community functions.
Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Ensemble is a process-oriented instrumental performance class. Emphasis is on a demonstrable understanding of elements of the genre. It is open to students in grades 8-12 who audition and demonstrate an intermediate level of playing ability, equivalent to one year of private lessons. Instrumentation includes piano, bass, guitar, drums, woodwinds and brass. Musical material covered ranges from 1930s swing and big band tunes to bebop, Latin jazz, blues, and contemporary jazz. Basic jazz theory and improvisation skills are introduced and emphasized. A workshop environment fosters cooperation, experimentation, and listening skills. In the rehearsals, focus is placed primarily upon skillful ensemble techniques, including blend and musical phrasing. Each semester the ensemble records a project in the Kirby sound studio in cooperation with the Audio Engineering class. There are four or five performances throughout the year at the school as well as at local public venues.
Orchestra
This ensemble is open to all string, wind, and percussion players in grades 6-12 and is designed to offer instrumentalists the experience of performing in an orchestral ensemble. Students must audition and demonstrate an intermediate level of playing ability, equivalent to one year of private lessons. There are limited opportunities for keyboard players. The group performs its mostly classical repertoire within the local and school communities. This course offering depends on student interest from year-to-year.
Beginning Music Theory
Music Theory encompasses a wide variety of musical study with emphasis on the following: music theory and fundamentals, formal analysis, keyboard and musicianship skills, ear training and sight singing, basic melodic and rhythmic composition, and cultural and historical studies. This course is open to all students in grades 9-12. No prior knowledge of music theory is required. This course also prepares students for the Music Theory AP course.
Music Theory (AP)
Open to grades 9-12, students master music reading, writing, and terminology, interval and scale recognition and identification, chord recognition, species counterpoint and four part harmony, advanced dictation and ear training, advanced keyboard, and musicianship skills. The course follows AP course standards and prepares students for the Advanced Placement exam.