BCA Music

  • About the BCA Music Program and AVPA-Musicflute

    With over 20 music courses and almost as many performances each year, BCA has one of the most active and diverse music programs found anywhere! Full-stage concerts, community performances, building instruments, composing, or recording — students find a home at BCA exploring the fascinating world of music. This section will provide information about the music program at BCA (applicable to all students) as well as the Academy for Visual and Performing Arts music concentration (AVPA) for those interested in applying to the program.

     

    What is the difference between the regular BCA music program and AVPA?
    The Academy for Visual and Performing Arts (AVPA - Music Concentration) is one of the 7 programs of Bergen County Academies. It is an honors-level, high school academic program with a focus in music. Students apply while in 8th grade and pass a rigorous application/audition process. Keep reading to find out more about the BCA music program and then continue scrolling for details about AVPA-M.

    The regular music program at BCA is like any excellent music department, with several music electives and activities available to every student here on campus (in all 7 programs). Keep reading to find out more about our music program.


    How many courses does BCA offer?
    We currently offer a variety of music courses. Most are available to all students on campus, while some are exclusive to AVPA-M students. 

    Electives available to all students: Concert Choir,  Chamber Choir,  Concert Band,  Jazz Band,  Orchestra, Guitar & Mandolin Orchestra,  chamber ensembles,  Pit Orchestra (musical),  Guitar Class,  Musicians Workshop,  AP Music Theory,  Advanced Problems in Music Theory,  Music & Society (history),  Digital Recording Lab,  Ukulele Cafe,  History of Rock Music.

    Exclusive to AVPA-Music students:  Musicianship,  Digital Keyboarding,  Digital Recording Lab (exclusive section),  Electronic Music Synthesis,  Conducting,  Senior Music Seminar.   


    Are there any special music opportunities at BCA?
    In addition to our music electives/courses, many additional music activities are available for students, including Ensemble Prestige, a chamber music concert held throughout the county. Tri-M National Music Honor Society, which recognizes students through a formal induction ceremony. There are a variety of music clubs and projects that focus on music, and they alternate each term/year. Advanced students are sponsored for honors ensembles including: County, Regional, All-State, All-Eastern, and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center's Young Musicians Concert program. There are also a number of community-based performances. Whether interacting with music professionals or simply enjoying a performance, students are exposed to a variety of music opportunities through trips, projects, assemblies, and guest artist visits! There are several school assemblies where any student can perform without the requirement of registering for a course. There is something available for every student here at BCA!


    Is there anything you do not offer at BCA?
    Since the BCA music program is not a conservatory or a traditional music program, we do not offer private/class lessons. The nature of the BCA schedule precludes a marching band. However, students may participate in their hometown's marching band, dependent on scheduling and their home district's participation policy.


    Can students take all the music courses they wish?
    Almost all music courses are open to students from any program or grade level. We do expect students to be able to handle the demands of the music, so they must audition to qualify. Other considerations are free time and scheduling — some music courses run at the end of the school day and may conflict with sports, while other electives during the day may conflict with a core course (math, history, etc.). As you can see, scheduling and making choices are a reality students will be confronted with as they grow into adulthood. The learning community is very supportive of our strong music program!


    Parent involvement
    Academy students and teachers expect parents to take an influential role in school life and we cannot continue our successes without parent involvement. We have a strong Parent and Patrons of the Arts (PAPA) association that provides volunteer, organizational, and fundraising support for the entire arts community. Parents are also encouraged to join the Parent Partnership Organization (PPO), a recipient of NJ State Department of Education's Best Practice Award, Please visit the PPO/PAPA website to see how the parents' contribution to the learning community is incomparable!

    What is the AVPA-Music Program?
    The AVPA-Music program is one of the seven programs at the Bergen County Academies. Students in this program study an academic, honors-level college-preparatory curriculum with a focus in music. Students have core academic courses (usually at the honors level) as well as core music courses! The program is for musicians who possess a combination of musical talent, passion and activism. Courses include Digital Keyboarding (piano skills), Musicianship (instrumental methods), AP Music Theory, Conducting, Digital Recording Lab, Electronic Music Synthesis (digital composition), and culminated with AVPA-Music Senior Recital — a graduation requirement assessed by professionals in the music field.

    Each AVPA-M student is required to participate in performing music electives each year (band, orchestra, choir, ensemble).

    You can learn more about the AVPA-Music program by attending one of our concerts or admissions open house in the fall. Please note that the AVPA-M program is not a conservatory or a full-time performing arts program. We offer a college preparatory, academic honors program, with a focus in music.

    What kind of student do you accept into the AVPA-Music Program?
    Academically talented students prepared for a challenging, college preparatory honors-level, academic curriculum. Students who have an outstanding ability in music- students we accept are some of the strongest musicians in their communities and participate in honors level ensemble and/or pre-college programs. Students apply while in eighth grade and are only accepted as incoming 9th graders. Students are not permitted to transfer from other schools or other BCA programs.

    - Individuals who have demonstrated academic achievement

    - Talented musicians who have achieved musical excellence (competition finalists, pre-college, awards, etc.)

    - Students planning to study music at college.

    - "Music is my life"

    - Students with years of private music study continuing throughout high school.

    What kind of student do you produce?
    College bound students prepared to succeed in college music (and other) programs. BCA graduates have gone on to study music at Berklee College of Music, Curtis Institute of Music, Peabody Conservatory, Eastman School of Music, Juilliard, Peabody Conservatory, Westminster Choir College. Many of our alumni are now touring musicians, music teachers, music business professionals, or avocational musicians working in other fields.

     

    What is the admissions process like?
    The best thing you can do is visit the open house session for the Academy for Visual and Performing Arts (AVPA). You will receive a detailed description of the AVPA program, tour of the facilities, meet faculty/students, and obtain important application/audition materials. Please visit the Bergen County Academies admissions page for details.


    What is the audition process like?
    Candidates who are selected for an interview must also audition on their primary instrument or voice. The audition includes a scale, solo, sight-reading, and tonal memory (singing). The audition and interview take place at the same time and are the final step in the application process. One can download a copy of the AVPA-M audition requirements on this website (see "Audition Information" in the sidebar). It is important that students prepare the audition materials exactly as specified.

    On the day of auditions, students will report to the school at a specified time. The audition will take about ten minutes. Immediately after the audition, students undergo an interview. This is an opportunity for the school to learn more about the student. This will be the final step in the application process.

    Students may best prepare for the audition by following the audition requirements for AVPA-M, as detailed on the audition handout. The purpose is to hear candidates play their best and learn about their musical and academic strengths. Except for pianists, students must bring their own instrument. All solos must be performed unaccompanied.

    Students may best prepare for the interview by thinking about why they want to attend BCA. Bringing a resume of musical accomplishments and activities is also required. Become familiar with the school, especially the music program, by attending some of our concerts; we suggest the Autumn, Holiday, and Spring Concerts. This will give candidates a solid idea of the various ensembles at BCA.