South San Francisco High School campus
Academics » Visual and Performing Arts » Music

Music

Year Course
 
Fulfills “F” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements
 
Prerequisite: None
 
This course is designed to help the untrained young voice. The course covers basic principles in vocal production, tone, diction, projection of the individual voice, and music reading. A variety of music will be performed, including rock, jazz, folk, and classical. Emphasis will be placed on performance. This class, which is primarily for 9th grade, can be used as a training ground and feeder group for the mixed chorus. Attendance at all performances is required.
Year Course
 
Fulfills “F” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements
 
Prerequisite: Previous singing experience or teacher recommendation required
 
This course offers students the opportunity to continue to develop the basics of singing, to study all types of music ranging from classical to rock, and to perform frequently. Emphasis will be placed on the study of advanced choral music with regard to the fine art of interpretation and tone production. Attendance at all performances is required. MBRFC
Year Course
 
Fulfills “F” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements
 
Prerequisite: Previous basic instrumental training and teacher recommendation
 
A class designed for the band student not quite ready for the difficult music literature offered in Symphonic Band. It is also an excellent opportunity for current Symphonic Band members to study a new or secondary instrument. Attendance at all performances is required. MBRFC
Year Course
 
Fulfills “F” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements
 
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
 
This is a course offered to a limited number of advanced students interested in ensemble playing and modern music. Rehearsal and training are carried on throughout the year in areas of musicianship, improvisation, sight reading, and the establishment of excellent musical standards. Literature ranges from jazz standards to contemporary jazz ensemble literature. Attendance at all performances is required. MBRFC
Year Course
 
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
 
This is a capstone course offered to a limited number of advanced students interested in ensemble playing and modern music. Rehearsal and training are carried on throughout the year in areas of musicianship, improvisation, sight reading, and the establishment of excellent musical standards. Literature ranges from jazz standards to contemporary jazz ensemble. Attendance at all performances is required. MBRFC
AP Music Theory (Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12)
 
Year Course (SSFHS only)

Prerequisite: None
 
Students should be able to read and write musical notation, and it is strongly recommended that the student has acquired at least basic performance skills in voice or on an instrument. This course covers first semester of college music theory for the music major or minor and satisfies one semester of college level fine arts/humanities elective. The course covers basic musicianship, notation, harmonic and rhythmic studies, composition, counterpoint, and musical analysis from the renaissance through 21st Century Music. Ear training includes sight singing and melodic/harmonic dictation. Open to all students with an adequate background in music.
Year Course
 
Fulfills “F” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements
 
Prerequisite: Previous advance band experience or teacher recommendation
 
This is an elective course open to all students. The student’s proficiency on the instrument must be great enough to ensure active band participation. Band activities include football band, concert band, and ensembles. Students are encouraged to participate in as many of these groups as possible. By performing, students gain self-confidence, a sense of teamwork, and responsibility. Attendance at all performances is required. MBRFC

Frequently Asked Questions

Auditions are held in the SSFHS auditorium. Always show up to auditions early. If possible, show up at least 20 minutes beforehand. Arriving early allows you to warm up and be fully prepared. 
Check in at the band room and sign in. Take your instrument out and begin warming up.
An audition can last 10-15 minutes. When auditions begin, students will perform in the order that they signed in. Auditions for symphonic band will occur individually. Students auditioning for jazz band will accompany a rhythm section. The band director and two or three other assistants will be in the room. Parents are welcome to stay for the audition. 
A list of placements for all students who auditioned will be posted in the band room's glass cabinet at the end of the week.
Symphonic and jazz band are the top bands. Concert band is the apprentice band for symphonic band and is the class where the music fundamentals are established. 
 
New students should sign up for Concert Band. After auditioning, the band director will make the appropriate course changes with the counselors.
Yes. 
Students should enroll in the apprentice ensemble concert band.
Students should obtain a copy of the audition materials and ask their current music teacher(s) to help them practice 
Following are some additional recommendations:
  • Scales. Practice slowly and focus on sound quality and intonation. Practice at a faster tempo only after achieving good sound quality and intonation.
  • Prepared piece. For jazz band, try for a great jazz feel. For symphonic band, try to emulate a pure tone. Pay attention to dynamics and articulation marks.
  • Sight reading. Practice sight reading with sheet music. Play slowly until you can play the rhythms correctly. Use a metronome. Pay close attention to the key signature and read through a tune before starting to play it in order to anticipate difficult spots.
  • Jazz solos. Listen to great jazz masters playing solos on the same tune you are learning. Learn their solos in order to learn the jazz vocabulary they are using. Jazz musicians ultimately sound like a mixture of all the musicians they have listened to and studied with a little bit of their own personality mixed in. Use this audition as an opportunity to get started on this great, lifelong project.
  • Classical solos. Listen to great musicians and imitate and emulate their tone and phrasing.