Overview
The KCI Music Department offers a wide variety of curricular and extra-curricular musical opportunities for high school students who come from all musical backgrounds and experiences. Through our music courses, students have the opportunity to explore and build on existing skills in vocal, guitar, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments.
For those wishing to participate in additional performing ensembles outside of class, a number of opportunities are offered throughout and after the regular school day. All curricular and cocurricular ensembles have the opportunity to perform at our annual December and May OSSIA concerts. These concerts have been the highlight of the Music Department and the KCI community for the past 10 years.
Performing ensembles have also played locally at music festivals, participated in MusicFest Canada, and have travelled on exciting performance tours to Montreal, Ottawa, New York, Boston, Chicago, and Washington.
Leadership positions are available for those interested in applying for the KCI Music Council.
Course Descriptions
The KCI Music Department offers class instruction in three different areas: Instrumental; Vocal/Choral; and Guitar. Courses offer students the opportunity to explore intellectual and emotional development in a setting unique to the music classroom. Instrumental classes are available for both experienced players and those wishing to learn an instrument for the first time. Instrumental and vocal classes are offered in Grade 9 through Grade 12. Guitar courses are offered in Grade 10 through Grade 12.
Students who engage in musical studies develop:
- vocal/instrument-specific skills and musical literacy
- self-discipline, creativity, self-expression, and problem solving skills
- integrated sensory, attentional, cognitive, emotional and motor capacities
- strong learning connections with themselves, with others, and with their community
Learning through performance plays a large role in each music course at KCI. In addition to the practical skills associated with singing and playing an instrument, students will also develop their understanding of the language of music through exposure to theory, composition, history, and listening.
To learn more about a particular course, select the appropriate grade level using the side menu to the right.
Grade 9
Experienced Instrumental Music – AMI1OI
This course is designed for students who are coming to KCI from a feeder school where they have been in an instrumental (band) music class setting for a minimum of one year.
Beginning Instrumental Music – AMI1OX
This course is designed for students who are playing a band instrument for the first time. Students choose an instrument based on availability from the following list:
Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, Percussion. (Note: Percussion students are required to gain facility on snare drum, mallet percussion, and timpani.)
Note: Piano/keyboard instruction is not available in instrumental music courses. Students with piano background must select an instrument from the above list as their instrument for purposes of the Grade 9 Instrumental Music courses.
Vocal Music – AMV1OI
This course is open to any student interested in developing vocal and choral technique. Students will sing a variety of styles of repertoire and gain experience in the expressive art of singing.
Grade 10
Instrumental Music – AMI2OI
This course is a continuation of both the Grade 9 Beginning and Experienced Instrumental Music courses. Students will continue to develop analytical, theoretical, and practical skills with an emphasis on performance.
Beginning Instrumental Music – AMI2OX
This course is designed for students who are playing a band instrument for the first time. Students choose an instrument based on availability from the following list:
Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, Percussion (Note: Percussion students are required to gain facility on snare drum, mallet percussion, and timpani.)
Note: Piano/keyboard instruction is not available in instrumental music courses. Students with piano background must select an instrument from the above list as their instrument for purposes of the Grade 10 Beginning Instrumental Music course.
Vocal Music – AMV2OI / 2OB
This course emphasizes the creation and performance of music at a level consistent with previous experience. Students will develop musical literacy skills by using the creative and critical analysis processes in composition, performance, and a range of reflective and analytical activities. Students will develop their understanding of musical conventions, practices, and terminology and apply the elements of music in a range of activities. They will also explore the function of music in society with reference to the self, communities, and cultures.
Guitar – AMG2OI / 2OB
This course is designed for students who have no experience playing guitar. The course also introduces students to music notation and music reading.
Grade 11
Instrumental Music – AMI3MI
This course provides students with opportunities to develop their musical literacy through the creation, appreciation, analysis, and performance of music, including traditional, commercial, and art music. Students will apply the creative process when performing appropriate technical exercises and repertoire and will employ the critical analysis processes when reflecting on, responding to, and analysing live and recorded performances. Students will consider the function of music in society and the impact of music on individuals and communities. They will explore how to apply skills developed in music to their life and careers. Prerequisite: AMI1OI or AMI2OI. Note: It is highly recommended that students have taken both of these courses before they enrol in the Grade 11 course.
Vocal Music – AMV3MI / 3OB
This course provides students with opportunities to develop their musical literacy through the creation, appreciation, analysis, and performance of music, including traditional, commercial, and art music. Students will apply the creative process when performing appropriate technical exercises and repertoire and will employ the critical analysis processes when reflecting on, responding to, and analysing live and recorded performances. Students will consider the function of music in society and the impact of music on individuals and communities. They will explore how to apply skills developed in music to their life and careers. Prerequisite: AMIV1OI or AMV2OI / AMV2OB. It is highly recommended that students have taken both of these courses before they enrol in the Grade 11 course.
Guitar – AMG3OI
This course is designed for students who are not planning on a University Music program after high school. More weight is given to performance skills in this course, with some focus placed on creating an original composition/production piece for summative evaluation at the end of the semester. Prerequisite: AMG2OI
Guitar – AMG3OB
This course continues to build on the playing and music reading skills introduced in the Grade 10 course. Prerequisite: AMG2OB
Grade 12
Instrumental Music – AMI4MI
This course enables students to enhance their musical literacy through the creation, appreciation, analysis, and performance of music. Students will perform traditional, commercial, and art music, and will respond with insight to live and recorded performances. Students will enhance their understanding of the function of music in society and the impact of music on themselves and various communities and cultures. Students will analyse how to apply skills developed in music to their life and careers. Prerequisite: AMI 3MI.
Vocal Music – AMV4MI
This course enables students to enhance their musical literacy through the creation, appreciation, analysis, and performance of music. Students will perform traditional, commercial, and art music, and will respond with insight to live and recorded performances. Students will enhance their understanding of the function of music in society and the impact of music on themselves and various communities and cultures. Students will analyse how to apply skills developed in music to their life and careers. Prerequisite: AMV3MI.
