Music

A Bilingual Music Charter School

Our Music program is offered to all students in grades 6-12. During the course of study from 6th to 9th grade students will be studying music along with dance and visual art. Once in 10th grade, students will have the option to focus in music in a more intense manner. We teach primarily the flamenco guitar, but also expose students to basic singing, music theory, percussion, and ear training.

Music Focus Requirements:

Ability - teacher approval required
Dance - must have had at least one year of Flamenco Dance
Musical Desire
Probationary first year eligibility based on: 90% attendance rate, being on time and prepared for class everyday, and etiquette (strong effort and participation)

Dual Credit Requirements:

Jazz History, Jazz Improvisation, Theory for non-majors, Piano 101, Chorus, and/or Ensembles at UNM - students must be in 11th or 12th grade to participate in this program

Teacher recommendation
90% attendance rate
Encourage and create vehicle for private study

6th - 8th Grade Music

Curriculum Includes:

Introduction to basic flamenco guitar technique
Introduction to various flamenco letras por Tangos and Fandangos
Introduction to basic palmas (rhythmic handclapping) patterns and basic Konnakol (rhythmic recitation)
Introduction to fundamentals of music theory and notation reading for guitar
Exposure to various classical guitar studies to build technique
Exploration of flamenco styles: Tangos, Sevillanas, Fandangos, and Bulerías

9th Grade Music

Student further technical abilities on the guitar through various exercises and classical guitar studies
Further exploration of basic flamenco letras
More sophisticated palmas and Konnakol ideas
Exploration of flamenco styles: Tangos, Bulerías, and introduction to Alegrías
Basic ear training and music theory as well as further notation reading for guitar
We will also discuss what it means to join Music Focus from 10th to 12th grade, and how to prepare if a student would like to join Music Focus.

Music Focus - 10th-12th Grade

Students will continue to work on technique with more complicated classical and flamenco studies
We will study structures of flamenco letras in various flamenco styles and dance structures to various styles
We will collaborate with Dance Focus, and accompany more the majority of dance performances
Students will study more sophisticated aspects of music theory, ear training, and notation reading.
Students will also continue to study Tangos and Bulerías as well as many other styles of flamenco such as: Alegrías, Soleá, Seguiriyas, etc.