Courses

Advanced Instrumental/Vocal Study I

This is a performance course for qualified students who wish to devote one term to intensive study of their instrument or voice. With the guidance of their instructor, students work on technique and interpretation with the goal of developing their own musical voices. Students participate in twice-weekly performance classes where emphasis is placed on developing […]
Advanced Instrumental/Vocal Study II

This intensive performance course is for the most advanced instrumentalists and vocalists and culminates in a public recital. In twice-weekly classes students have the opportunity to perform for each other, receive constructive feedback, and address common questions and strategies relating to public performance. Students in MUS500 must take private lessons as part of this course. […]
Advanced Music Production

This course provides advanced instruction for students interested in improving their mastery of digital music production. Students will explore production techniques, project development and creative practice. Students with interests in all musical genres are encouraged to register. Students must have previous experience producing music in a digital audio workstation (DAW).
Becoming Musical

This course is recommended for students with an interest in understanding music but who have little or no prior experience. This course examines the elements that are universal in music and develops the practical skills needed to become functioning musicians. Rhythm, pitch, scales, keys, intervals, and triads are the basic material of the course. By […]
Chamber Orchestra

The Chamber Orchestra offers an intensive ensemble experience for advanced string and woodwind players. The skills, craft, and discipline of orchestral playing are developed in-depth through the study of repertoire for small orchestra: Baroque concerti grossi, classical symphonies, Romantic character pieces and the rich chamber orchestra repertoire of the 20th century. The Chamber Orchestra performs […]
Concert Choir

Concert Choir, Exeter’s premiere choral ensemble, offers a rigorous choral experience to those students accepted by competitive audition. The choir performs a wide variety of choral literature representing many traditions and style periods. Through intensive rehearsals and public performance, students develop their vocalism, musicianship and choral skills. The Concert Choir performs at the conclusion of […]
Exeter Choral Union

Faculty and community members in this mixed-voice choral ensemble perform major works of choral literature, often collaborating with the Concert Choir, Chamber Orchestra, and soloists. Through twice-weekly rehearsals, students develop their vocalism, musicianship and choral skills. The Choral Union performs regularly on the Concert Series and at special events, including Parents’ Weekend and the annual […]
Exeter Symphonia

The Symphonia provides a foundational orchestral experience for students at the intermediate-to-advanced-intermediate level. The basic techniques of orchestral playing, musicianship and ensemble skills are studied through both full and sectional rehearsals. The Symphonia performs regularly throughout the school year.
Global Rhythm Ensemble

In group classes, students learn basic playing techniques of the hand-drumming traditions of West Africa, the Caribbean and Brazil. They develop their rhythmic skills and sense of ensemble, and experience the special energy and excitement of ensemble drumming. The African Drumming Ensemble performs each term and often collaborates with various choruses and the Dance Department.
Instrumental Chamber Music

Students are placed in trios, quartets, quintets and other small ensembles to experience the special give-and-take of playing chamber music. Instrumental combinations include strings, winds, brass, piano, percussion and harp. While working on refining stylistic awareness, students also develop the musical and interpersonal skills needed for effective rehearsal and communicative performance. Chamber music ensembles perform […]
Jazz & Contemporary Small Ensembles

Jazz Combo gives intermediate and advanced intermediate jazz musicians the opportunity to develop their ensemble and improvisational skills through the study of traditional and contemporary jazz repertoire. Emphasis will be placed on rhythmic accuracy and technical skills such as articulation, tone and dynamic control, as well as on developing facility with the jazz language. The […]
Listening to Music

This introductory course is intended for students who want to expand their knowledge of music and become informed listeners. No prior musical training is required. Students will learn to perceive the elements of music – rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, timbre and form and acquire a musical vocabulary to describe what they hear. This course will […]
Modern Music Making

This course is a workshop for students interested in making modern styles of music, primarily through technology. Students will develop their technique, their aesthetic and their ears by working on multiple collaborative and independent projects across a spectrum of musical genres including (but not limited to) pop, hip-hop, EDM, ambient and experimental. There will also […]
Music Mixing and Recording

This course will give students hands-on instruction in the craft of recording and mixing music across multiple genres. Through focused discussion, experiential recording and in-depth mixing projects, students will learn the following: foundations of acoustics; aspects of digital recording using a DAW; microphone techniques in a variety of musical circumstances; design and implementation of signal […]
Musical Structure and Songwriting

This course approaches contemporary songs and songwriting from both analytical and creative perspectives, engaging with music from a broad spectrum of genres, styles, influences, and eras. Until midterm, students will study the structures and practices of songwriting through detailed analyses that focus on aspects of structure, instrumentation and production, and lyric content. In the remainder […]
PEA Band

The PEA Band is an opportunity for wind, brass, percussion and electric instrument players of all levels and abilities to study and perform music together. This ensemble operates as a pep band in the fall and winter, allowing students to perform in the stands at select athletic events and as a concert band in the […]
PEA Jazz Ensemble

Students in this course perform traditional and contemporary jazz repertoire. Through rehearsal and performance, students learn to perform and improvise in the style of the jazz greats. The Jazz Ensemble gives several public performances during the year, culminating in a major concert in the spring.
Popular Music in America

What is American popular music? How does the rich variety of American popular music styles reflect trends in American society and the major events of American history? Through a series of readings and recordings, students will trace the history of popular music in America across three extended time spans: 1840-1920 (beginning roughly with Stephen Foster […]
Private Lessons

Private music lessons offer students an individualized learning experience with a private instructor. In the lessons, students develop technique and expression, while they explore the repertoire for their instrument. Students receive one 50-minute lesson per week and are expected to practice a minimum of two hours per week. Students are required to attend at least […]
Symphony Orchestra

A full-sized Symphony Orchestra of advanced instrumentalists rehearses and performs works from the major symphonic repertoire. All aspects of orchestral technique are studied through both full and sectional rehearsals. The Symphony Orchestra performs regular concerts throughout the school year.