EDUCATION
Doctor of Music- West Virginia University
Master of Music- University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign
Master of Education- University of South Carolina
Bachelor of Music- University of North Carolina
K-12 Music Certificate- UNC Pembroke
Dr. Matt Ward has been a member of the faculty at Carolina Forest High School since 2012 where he teaches piano and AP music theory. He is the troupe sponsor for the International Thespian Society and the CFHS troupe represented South Carolina at the 2013 International Thespian Festival. Dr. Ward also serves as the director of the competition drama team and they represented South Carolina at the 2018 Southeastern Theatre Conference in Mobile, Alabama. He is currently serving on the board for South Carolina Thespians and is also the former high school division chair for the South Carolina Theatre Association.
Doctor of Music- West Virginia University
Master of Music- University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign
Master of Education- University of South Carolina
Bachelor of Music- University of North Carolina
K-12 Music Certificate- UNC Pembroke
Dr. Matt Ward has been a member of the faculty at Carolina Forest High School since 2012 where he teaches piano and AP music theory. He is the troupe sponsor for the International Thespian Society and the CFHS troupe represented South Carolina at the 2013 International Thespian Festival. Dr. Ward also serves as the director of the competition drama team and they represented South Carolina at the 2018 Southeastern Theatre Conference in Mobile, Alabama. He is currently serving on the board for South Carolina Thespians and is also the former high school division chair for the South Carolina Theatre Association.
Piano Classes
Instrumental Music: Piano 1
Credit: 1 credit
This course is designed for students who wish to develop basic piano playing skills, or expand on their existing skills. Time in class will be spent both on and off the keyboards. While playing, students will be working individually and in small groups to master the techniques of playing to learn pieces. There will also be time spent in group instruction on musical notation and theory
Instrumental Music: Piano 2
Prerequisite: Piano 1 or teacher approval
Credit: 1 credit
This course is designed for students who wish to develop basic piano playing skills, or expand on their existing skills. Time in class will be spent both on and off the keyboards. While playing, students will be working individually and in small groups to master the techniques of playing to learn pieces. There will also be time spent in group instruction on musical notation and theory
Instrumental Courses
Music Appreciation
Credit: 1 credit
This course is designed to educate students about music and its relationship to culture through investigation of music from a variety of styles, genres, and historical periods. An introduction to music theory concepts and terminology as well as basic instrumental techniques and composition. Students will be introduced to these through reading, in-class discussions and demonstrations, videos and extensive listening. This is a non-performance music course fulfilling the Fine Arts graduation requirement.
AP Music Theory
Prerequisite: Teacher approval
Credit: 1 credit
AP Music Theory integrates aspects of melody, harmony, texture, rhythm, form, musical analysis, elementary composition, and to some extent history and style. Musicianship skills such as dictation and other listening skills, sight-singing, and keyboard harmony are considered an important part of the theory course. The student’s ability to read and write musical notation is fundamental to this course. It is strongly recommended that the student will have acquired at least basic performance skills in voice or on an instrument. The ultimate goal of this course is to develop a student’s ability to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. Students will take AP examination in May. (includes a recorded singing portion)
Instrumental Music: Piano 1
Credit: 1 credit
This course is designed for students who wish to develop basic piano playing skills, or expand on their existing skills. Time in class will be spent both on and off the keyboards. While playing, students will be working individually and in small groups to master the techniques of playing to learn pieces. There will also be time spent in group instruction on musical notation and theory
Instrumental Music: Piano 2
Prerequisite: Piano 1 or teacher approval
Credit: 1 credit
This course is designed for students who wish to develop basic piano playing skills, or expand on their existing skills. Time in class will be spent both on and off the keyboards. While playing, students will be working individually and in small groups to master the techniques of playing to learn pieces. There will also be time spent in group instruction on musical notation and theory
Instrumental Courses
Music Appreciation
Credit: 1 credit
This course is designed to educate students about music and its relationship to culture through investigation of music from a variety of styles, genres, and historical periods. An introduction to music theory concepts and terminology as well as basic instrumental techniques and composition. Students will be introduced to these through reading, in-class discussions and demonstrations, videos and extensive listening. This is a non-performance music course fulfilling the Fine Arts graduation requirement.
AP Music Theory
Prerequisite: Teacher approval
Credit: 1 credit
AP Music Theory integrates aspects of melody, harmony, texture, rhythm, form, musical analysis, elementary composition, and to some extent history and style. Musicianship skills such as dictation and other listening skills, sight-singing, and keyboard harmony are considered an important part of the theory course. The student’s ability to read and write musical notation is fundamental to this course. It is strongly recommended that the student will have acquired at least basic performance skills in voice or on an instrument. The ultimate goal of this course is to develop a student’s ability to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. Students will take AP examination in May. (includes a recorded singing portion)
