Music

Central to the philosophy of music education at Urban is the idea that music is a language everyone can learn, and that with proper support and guidance, even young musicians are capable of excellence. Students with a wide variety of musical experience – from beginners to seasoned musicians – are encouraged to participate in Urban’s ensembles. The Urban Singers Chorus, Lab and Advanced Jazz Bands, and the Chamber Orchestra serve as ambassadors for the school community and perform at school functions, neighborhood outreach centers, other Bay Area schools and regional music festivals. Every year the ensembles hold several concerts at Urban's own Performing Arts & Community Center.

Urban’s Advanced Jazz and Lab Jazz Bands and their small combos play in a variety of styles, from swing to rock, pop, fusion, and funk. In recent years, the Jazz Band has also become a source of talent for the highly regarded SF Jazz High School All-Stars program. Through its ongoing relationship with SF Jazz, Stanford, and the greater Bay Area jazz community, the Jazz Band continues to enjoy access to workshops with nationally acclaimed artists.

Urban Singers is a dynamic vocal ensemble where students discover their voices and grow as artists. Through an exciting mix of classical, pop, contemporary, and spiritual music, singers develop confidence, creativity, and expressive power. Small student-led combos offer space to explore personal musical interests and bring fresh artistry to every performance.

Chamber Orchestra is an ensemble that explores repertoire from the past and present, some in its original form and others arranged or commissioned specifically for the ensemble. The ensemble performs two large concerts per year as well as two concerts where students perform in smaller chamber groups. Many Seniors take the opportunity to play concertos or other solos with the orchestra, and others have conducted or composed new compositions for the group.

DEPARTMENT GOALS

The goal of the Performing Arts Department is to introduce students to the discipline and the creative process of the performing arts. We stress ensemble work in our classes and productions, creating a trusting environment that allows students to free their imaginations and develop self-confidence and spontaneity. Our classes accommodate students with no performing experience, as well as those interested in pursuing performing arts professionally.

UAS IN MUSIC

Urban Advanced Studies (UAS) classes in the Performing Arts Department are designed to challenge students to deepen their practice in a given discipline and understand its dynamic connection to society. The primary expectation of advanced performing artists is serious involvement with their creative pursuit in a disciplined manner, with a commitment to exploring the practice with curiosity, conviction and technical mastery.

Advanced musicianship in ensembles (Advanced Jazz Band, Urban Singers and advanced chamber music groups) involves performance demonstrated at or near a collegiate level. A student in an advanced musical ensemble or class must have achieved proficiency with their instrument. Proficiency is determined based on the following criteria: an understanding of phrasing, intonation, tonal beauty, ensemble blend, dynamic variance, rhythmic accuracy, and beginning-level sight-reading, as well as agility and precision with virtuosic passages.

For students in Urban Singers and Chamber Orchestra, the ability to blend and balance their parts with others, demonstrate technical proficiency, and to connect emotionally with the material is paramount to success. Jazz instrumentalists will be required to improvise solos over chord progressions as well as interpret parts and melodic material. In theory classes, students must achieve fluency in the following skill areas: sight-reading of beginning-level literature, interval recognition, intonation, basic melodic and rhythmic dictation, harmonic analysis, scales and melody/harmony relationships, classification of basic musical forms, instrument timbres, and creation of short-form compositions.

MUSIC COURSES 2026-27

Introduction to Urban Singers

Introduction to Urban Singers is a performance-oriented class in which students study vocal technique and basic musicianship skills, including music theory and solfège. Students learn fundamental principles for successful singing in a choral environment, work in pairs and groups to accomplish rhythmic and sight singing goals, and learn about the anatomy and physiology of the voice. Students in Intro to Urban Singers learn repertoire that will be performed with the Urban Singers, which includes contemporary, classical, pop and spirituals. Students in this class will join Urban Singers for the entirety of the school year starting the second half of Fall term, which includes a yearlong combo (smaller group) commitment every other Thursday after school and performing in the Winter, Spring and Combo (smaller group) Concerts.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Urban Singers students are required to join Urban Singers (Open to 9th Graders and other interested students; meets during Fall Term) (1/2 credit)

Urban Singers

Urban Singers is a performance-oriented vocal group committed to musical excellence and the building of skills and community through ensemble. The concert repertoire is drawn from a broad range of styles, including contemporary, classical, pop, and spirituals. The ensemble is a musical ambassador for the school community, performing at school functions and neighborhood outreach centers. Students participate in small combos every other Thursday after school, focusing on music of their choosing. Participating students earn one full arts credit and a letter grade at the end of their yearlong commitment.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Urban Singers, audition, or instructor approval (Yearlong commitment, meets for three E periods) (Incoming 9th Graders enter this yearlong class after week 6 of Fall Term) (1 credit)

Introduction to Jazz Band

Introduction to Jazz Band prepares beginning instrumentalists for assimilation into Jazz Band by teaching the beginning tools and techniques in a supportive environment. This class will help musicians find their place in the band through specific, necessary instruction and assessment. Entering musicians will be part of a team, making the transition into the larger group smoother, more efficient and complete. Skills include Chart-Reading, Improvisation, Musicianship, Ear-Training, Ensemble playing, Intonation, Theory and Repertoire Development. Students in this class will join the Jazz Band for the entirety of the school year starting the second half of Fall term, which includes a yearlong combo (smaller group) commitment every other Thursday after school and performing in the Winter, Spring and Combo (smaller group) Concerts.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Jazz Band students are required to join either Lab or Advanced Jazz Bands (Open to 9th Graders and other interested students; meets during Fall Term) (1/2 credit)

Lab Jazz Band

Lab Jazz Band is a large ensemble focusing on development of the basic technical and conceptual skills required for participation in the Advanced Jazz Band. Previous experience on an instrument is recommended, but not required. Students will also perform in small combos incorporating non-jazz styles such as rock, pop, fusion and funk, depending on their experience. Combos will meet every other Thursday after school for the entire school year. Participating students earn one full arts credit and a letter grade at the end of their yearlong commitment.

Prerequisite: Audition or instructor approval (Yearlong commitment; meets for three E periods a week)
(Incoming 9th Graders enter this yearlong class after week 6 of Fall Term) (1 credit)

Advanced Jazz Band

Advanced Jazz Band is a large ensemble specializing in music from the American jazz tradition. It focuses on performance and gives two major concerts a year. Previous experience on an instrument is required. Students also perform in small combos incorporating other styles such as rock, pop, fusion and funk, depending on their experience. Students work on improvisation and other fundamental skills in combos meeting every other Thursday after school. Participating students earn one full arts credit and a letter grade at the end of their yearlong commitment.

Prerequisite: Audition or instructor approval (Yearlong commitment; meets for three E periods a week) (1 credit)

Introduction to Chamber Orchestra

Introduction to Chamber Orchestra is a performance-oriented class preparing new Urban musicians to successfully assimilate into Chamber Orchestra in a creative and supportive environment. Students will explore instrumental technique and basic musicianship skills including rhythm, intonation, ear training, sight-reading, practice techniques and fundamental principles for successful performance in an orchestral environment. The class will learn excerpts as an ensemble in addition to practicing music from Chamber Orchestra. Students in this class will join Chamber Orchestra for the entirety of the school year starting the second half of Fall term, which includes a yearlong combo (smaller group) commitment every other Thursday afterschool and performing in the Winter, Spring and Combo (smaller group) Concerts. This class is open to musicians of all levels with experience on their instrument

Prerequisite: Introduction to Chamber Orchestra students are required to join Chamber Orchestra (Open to 9th Graders and other interested students; meets during Fall Term) (1/2 credit)

Chamber Orchestra

Chamber Orchestra is an ensemble exploring repertoire from the past and present, some in its original form and others arranged or commissioned specifically for the ensemble. The ensemble performs two large concerts per year. Previous experience on an instrument is required, and some students add instruments during their tenure in the group. Opportunities to conduct or compose for the group are also available. Through rehearsal preparation, all students work to develop technical knowledge of their instrument, enhance their rhythmic and reading skills, and learn to listen and respond to other parts in the ensemble. Additionally, students will rehearse in small chamber groups with coaching sessions every other Thursday after school. In these small groups, students will learn how to rehearse independently, communicate effectively, and perform a variety of chamber music. Assignments for the course will take the form of recordings of practice sessions and in-person playing tests with other musicians. Participating students earn one full arts credit and a letter grade at the end of their year-long commitment.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Chamber Orchestra, audition, or instructor approval (Yearlong commitment; meets for three E periods per week) (Incoming 9th Graders enter this class after week 6 of Fall Term) (1 credit)

Music Theory 1

Music Theory 1 answers the questions “How does music work?” and “How does one create original music?” Music Theory 1 is geared toward achieving a greater understanding of and facility with the music that we listen to, perform and create. This course accommodates multiple experience levels; no previous experience is necessary. Students with previous experience will explore topics on a deeper, more challenging level. Topics include solfege, notation, intervals, scales, melodic writing, Roman numeral analysis, chords, basic chord progression, and musical forms. This course is a prerequisite for UAS Music Theory 2: Composition, UAS Applied Music Theory and UAS Music Production and Engineering. (1/2 credit) (All grades; *9th Grade students note: this is a mixed grade level class*)

UAS Applied Music Theory: Tools for Performing Musicians

UAS Applied Music Theory: Tools for Performing Musicians is designed to apply fundamental and advanced theory concepts to individual instruments and voice. These include scales, modes, arpeggios, approach notes, patterns, harmonic substitutions, melodic manipulations and other devices. Students will use their own instruments and/or voices to perform and assimilate these concepts while discovering real world applications. Regular practice outside of the classroom will be mandatory as well as written homework and regular playing/singing tests.

Prerequisite: Music Theory 1 (1/2 credit)

UAS Music Production and Engineering

UAS Music Production and Engineering will actively explore the roles and responsibilities of music producers and engineers from idea inception to finished product. Students will immerse themselves in basic studio technologies and recording procedures, focusing on digital audio technology. Students will learn about types of microphones, pre-amplification, compression, equalization, microphone placement, tracking, digital effects, mixing and editing, as well as talent management, pre-production and problem solving. There will be in-class evaluation of commercial recordings and student work. The class culminates in student-produced final recording projects, utilizing the skills taught throughout the class.

Prerequisite: Music Theory 1 or instructor approval (1/2 credit)

Advanced Musical Ensemble

Advanced Musical Ensemble provides an opportunity for musicians to build, rehearse and perform with a small group in any musical style. They may draw from the student body to fill out their group's personnel. The bands will work closely with the instructor, but group leaders will be expected to choose their ensemble's personnel and repertoire as well as run their own rehearsals. The class will culminate in a showcase performance in May featuring all student groups. (1/2 Credit) (11th and 12th Graders only)

Course Offered in Alternate Years

20th Century American Popular Music: From Ragtime to Rap

20th Century American Popular Music: From Ragtime to Rap Students will acquire a familiarity with the basic music structures and stylistic developments of American popular music, as well as becoming familiar with some of the major artists and innovators of this music. Particular vocal and instrumental styles that will be studied include Spirituals, Blues, Be-bop, Tin Pan Alley, Rap, Rock, American Musicals and R&B. Students will gain an understanding of chronology and interconnectedness of these forms, and their interaction with the history of each era. Our course materials will include primary source documents (newspaper articles and reviews, interviews, testimonials, and memoirs), and we will study recorded examples and videos by some of the major artists of the 20th century. Many of the recordings we hear will be archival recordings and videos of artists playing in their prime. (1/2 credit)

UAS Music Theory 2: Composition

UAS Music Theory 2: Composition explores the skills necessary to begin creating original music pieces. Students will continue to study music theory in conjunction with several compositional projects of varying size and scope. Through analysis and text students will gain a broad and in-depth understanding of how music is put together. The resulting compositions will be created and performed using both music notation software and live players. This class will re-introduce all elements of music (rhythm, melody, harmony and form) solfege, scales, harmony, ear training, theoretical analysis of progression, basic arranging and composition. These tools will be necessary as we explore modes, advanced harmony, odd meter, chromatic solfege, symmetrical scales and more. Students will deepen their understanding of rhythm, develop their ears and incorporate new tools for composition. We will explore and master fundamental music writing skills, including notation, key signatures, relative scales and modes, melodic development, basic/advanced harmonic progressions and analysis. At the conclusion, students will have the option of taking an AP music theory test.

Prerequisite: Music Theory 1 and instructor approval (1/2 credit)