Music Department

Welcome to Dr. Denison Music!

Follow us on Instagram: @drdenisonss_music. 

The Importance of the Arts

Experiences int he arts play a valuable role in the education of all students.

Through participation in the arts, students can:

• develop their creativity
• learn about their own identity
• develop self-awareness
• improve self confidence
• develop a sense of well-being

Since artistic activities involve intense engagement, students experience a sense of wonder and joy when learning through the arts, which can motivate them to participate more fully in cultural life and school activities.

The arts nourish the imagination and develop a sense of beauty, while providing unique ways for students to gain insights into the world around them.

Music study is intended to develop students' understanding and appreciation of music through a focus on practical skills and creative work.  Students will find in music a source of enjoyment and personal satisfaction and will gain:

• creative problem solving skills
• individual and cooperative work habits
• knowledge of themselves and others
• a sense of personal responsibility
• connections to their communities and future careers

The Ontario Curriculum: The Arts, Grades 9-12, Ministry of Education, 2010.​

Program Overview - Denison Music

Instrumental Music - Band

These courses offer instruction on a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument.  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 an understanding of the conventions and elements of music and of safe practices related to music, and will develop a variety of skills transferable to other areas of their life.

**Students who are enrolled in an instrumental course are encouraged to also take the corresponding Music Repertoire course for their grade level.

Guitar

Students will learn the art of guitar performance including learning to read music and performing popular songs using standard guitar chords. Student learning will include participating in creative activities and listening perceptively. Students will also be required to develop a thorough understanding of the language of music, including music theory, terminology, and history.

Music Repertoire (After School Band or Choir)

This course will focus on development of performance skills in an ensemble setting. Repertoire courses run non-semestered after school from September to June. Classes will be organized after the regular school day and will concentrate on the reading and performance of repertoire for concert band or choir.  Participation in the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble or Denison Singers is a course requirement. Students interested in taking music repertoire are recommended to also choose the instrumental music course for their grade level.