Weaver Academy Recording Engineering


	The Arts Academy is a full-time high school option for grades 9-12. Students may apply to their area of interest by completing the application process and audition requirements. Program Instructor
			John Cirt Gill gillj@gcsnc.com
Music Production Curriculum
		To prepare students to be successful in their post-secondary endeavors studying digital and analog recording. Students will leave with increased knowledge and experience in general musicality, modern music history, job opportunities in the music business, and concepts of innovative recording techniques. Principle Area Courses and Projects Recording Engineering Principles will successfully complete the following courses with an unweighted “B” as a final semester grade or higher: Freshmen year – Recording Engineering I (2 semesters) • This course serves as an introduction to the basics of sound and recording systems. Students will learn beginning terminology, study design and application, and become familiar with the fundamental operations of a studio set up. Sophomore year – Recording Engineering II (2 semesters) • This course is a continuation of Recording Engineering I, and delves deeper into studio recording techniques, expanding into live sound situations and the mix down process Junior year -- Recording Engineering III (2 semesters) • A continuation of Recording Engineering II, students will demonstrate knowledge of previously learned information through application. This course consists of assisting in all aspects of pre-production, recording sessions and post-production. Students in this class are expected to interact with other Weaver Academy groups for live recording and studio sessions. Senior year -- Recording Engineering IV (2 semesters) • This course offers the student hands-on experience in the studio, assisting with recordings and the post-production process. Students actively participate in the production of a bi-weekly Podcast entitled, Weaver Action News. Each student gets the opportunity to experience an on-going commercial production schedule, to produce and edit defined projects in preparation for broadcast on the Internet. Senior Recording Engineering Portfolio (Capstone Art Project) (2nd semester Senior year-part of RE-IV) • Students will begin the process of collecting materials for a portfolio the first semester of their freshmen year. They will add to and refine the contents of the portfolio each semester through graduation. This portfolio could be used for application to college or professional work. The portfolio will include: Artist resume of recording experience, including the type of systems they have worked on (Pro Tools, Reason, Recycle, Roland, and Yamaha); Documentation of engineering live sound events; Examples of original music in different styles; Examples of contribution to the production of a supporting segment of an internet podcast. Examples of contribution to the writing and production of an original children’s story. (Note: This is in addition and not related to Senior English class “Graduation Project”) Assessments • Student’s artistic work will be assessed by faculty at the end of each semester. This is viewed as “real world” experience in the form of a professional interview or audition. Supporting Courses In addition, Recording Engineering Principles will successfully complete the following courses with an unweighted “C” as a final semester grade or higher: Class Piano (1 semester) (typically Freshman or Sophomore year) • This course will provide basic music reading skills at the keyboard through the development of successful problem-solving and practice habits. Regular playing skills tests featuring rudimentary solo and ensemble pieces will be given to assess each student’s progress. Basic Musicianship (1 semester) (typically Freshman or Sophomore year) • This course serves as an introduction to fundamentals in music. Students will experience critical listening, introduction to classical literature, instrumental and vocal identification, basic theoretical knowledge, and music reading skills. The student will be challenged to take an in-depth look at music’s importance and relevance to society. This course will also include the explorations of music halls, recitals, concerts and performance procedures and etiquette. This course is meant to provide a solid foundation and stepping stone to music theory, music history, and the serious study of music performance at the Weaver Academy. Music History (1 semester) (typically Junior year) • This course seeks to foster an appreciation of Western European and alternative forms of music as well as a familiarity with trends, terms, and musical personalities associated with them. Listening to a wide variety of music, within each style period, will be emphasized. Students will be trained to listen to music with a critical ear to detect musical elements (melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, form) that are associated with different stylistic periods and musical genres. A college-level Music Appreciation text is used. Music Theory (1 semester) (typically Senior year, first semester) • This course emphasizes a thorough review of music fundamentals as a precursor to AP Music Theory. Attention is given to the areas of key signatures, scale construction, and triad construction/inversion. Rudimentary exercises in four-part figured bass realization will be assigned throughout the course. The course will also include the development of sight singing as well as melodic/harmonic dictation skills within the common-practice tonal tradition. Choose one of the following: AP Music Theory (1 semester) (typically Senior year, second semester) • The students will master those aspects of Music Theory which will enable them to be successful in taking the College Board examination in this topic area. Emphasis will be given to the areas of harmonization/part writing, aural dictation, and sight-singing skills. Melodic, form, and harmonic analysis assignments as well as creative composition exercises will be assigned throughout the course. The course will also include the development of listening skills using standard (common practice) Western tonal repertoire. Studio Guitar (1 semester) (anytime) • Designed to provide secondary instrument experience Vocal Music (by audition) (1 semester) (anytime) • Designed to provide secondary instrument experience Jazz Ensemble (1 semester) (anytime) • Designed to provide secondary instrument and ensemble experience
Application Process Application must be hand-written by the student. Parent/Guardian signature is required on the last page. Rising 9th graders should include a copy of their most recent 8th grade report card and documentation of computer competency tests that have been taken. Rising 10th graders should include a transcript along with proof that all 8th grade end-of-grade and computer competency skills have been passed. A copy of your child’s immunization records is required. Two letters of recommendation must be included in the packet: one from your school administrator, counselor, or a teacher and one from an instructor in your specialized area who can address your talents, abilities, and potential. Applicants with an IEP must have parent/guardian secure a copy of the IEP and include it in the packet. Only completed application packets will be reviewed by the Weaver Academy Admissions Committee. Only candidates with complete application packets will be contacted to schedule an audition and personal interview. Weaver Academy only offers an honors curriculum, therefore, students will be selected who exhibit characteristics necessary for success. Following the interview, students will be notified of their acceptance/non-acceptance into the program. All acceptances are contingent on applicant providing proof that all EOGs and Algebra I End-of-Course test have been passed. *Click here for complete PVA Curriculum and CAMY Award requirements*
Auditions Recording Engineering students should:
Submit a minimum one-page typed essay on why the student wants to study recording and what prior experience he/she has gained (for example, operated sound board at church, played in a band, etc.) Perform one prepared solo on the instrument of his/her choice or present a pre-recorded demo of his/her recording skills on CD or tape (a sampling or other artists is not acceptable). A personal interview will be conducted at the time of audition.