Music
AT THE BAY SCHOOL
Bay’s music program offers an engaging selection of elective and Immersive courses. Performance classes are centered on the art of jazz, while the electronic music series lets students try their hand at all aspects of song recording and production. Electronic Music 1A
Learn audio engineering and music production by working with digital audio software, such as Reason and Logic, and a MIDI keyboard. Your first major project will be a music autobiography, to gain proficiency in recording, editing, and mixing. Then, you’ll produce and mix one full song. Throughout the engineering and production process, you’ll also learn about the fundamentals of sound and the history and structure of various types of music. Gain skills in song arrangement, crafting a rhythm section and melody, chord progressions, and how to use effects to add texture to their songs. Class recordings will be released on Soundcloud and Bandcamp.
Electronic Music 1B
Advance your knowledge of production, recording, mixing, and editing with Logic software tools. Students will produce one fulllength song and remix each other’s songs. In addition to honing their production and mixing skills, you’ll learn how to master songs and set up a studio and listening room. Songs will be released on Soundcloud and Bandcamp.
Jazz 1A & 1B
Between these two courses, you’ll get a thorough grounding in introductory jazz concepts and get familiar with a wide range of recordings and styles. Players will gain proficiency in their instrument of choice, develop their ear, and improve their sight-reading. Each Jazz 1B student receives two private lessons during class time with an instructor specializing in the student’s instrument. Additionally, students participate in a field trip to a jazz club.
Jazz 2 (Honors)
This is a performing ensemble class for students who are familiar with the basics of jazz improvisation and have completed the Jazz 1A/1B sequence. Increase your repertoire of standards, hone your rhythmic and harmonic vocabulary, improve your performance skills, and develop their knowledge of jazz history. Students also hear live music at a jazz club at least once in the term. Participants in this course are expected to master a new tune and teach it to the ensemble during the course of the term.
Strumming
If you want learn or improve your skills on ukulele, guitar, or bass, this is the course for you. You’ll start with the basics of chords and strumming and work your way into fingerpicking and playing melodies. You play with your peers and practice at your own pace. Cynthia Lin’s YouTube channel forms a kind of online textbook for the course. Best of all, students have a hand in deciding what songs they learn.
Clubs & Extracurriculars Jazz Club
Jazz Club is where students who love music get together to play jazz, improve their skills, and have fun. Performances take place at admissions events and several off-site events to build repertoire while strengthening both community and teamwork in the band. During meetings, students play music where some songs are called out, proposed by music teacher, Colin Williams or other students.
The Spring Musical
Students receive exceptional training, whether they are new to the stage or experienced in one or more disciplines. Colin Williams conducts the pit band, where students learn an average of 20 pieces of music over the rehearsal period. Live performances are held at Fort Mason’s Southside Theater.
Contact Us Colin Williams Music Teacher cwilliams@bayschoolsf.org
Karen Hellyer Electronic Music Teacher khellyer@bayschoolsf.org