Music
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Student costs for band, choir, and orchestra programs are determined at the campus level. Required costs could include instruments, repairs, accessories and uniform costs. Optional costs could include fees for region auditions, solo and ensemble contest, accompanists, trip costs, fair-share donations and private lessons. Parents with financial need should reach out to the head director of their selected program.
Band I-IV: (1/2 - 4 credits) Band students receive instruction on both marching and concert fundamentals. During marching season, students learn marching fundamentals, marching chart reading, how to play and march simultaneously, spatial awareness, kinesthetic awareness and movement memory. A variety of musical styles are performed. Physical conditioning is also emphasized. Concert season is ongoing and provides students an opportunity to continue musical growth and experience music literature. Individual, small, and large ensemble concepts and skills are emphasized. The high school band program provides multiple levels of band classes during the school day. Instructional priorities include instrumental technique, musicianship, critical listening, cultural growth, basic music theory, creative self-expression, rehearsal and concert etiquette, self-discipline, responsible citizenship, effective communication, problem solving, and production of quality products. Students are placed in each level by specific performance criteria including an audition.
Students in the marching band rehearse 6-8 hours after school per calendar week beginning the first week of school until the final marching contest of the season usually around the beginning of November. Summer marching rehearsals begin the last week of July or August 1 depending on the needs of the band program and the school calendar. Marching training sessions are sometimes held in June. Marching band students attend all varsity football games including playoff games. Marching rehearsal requirements for playoff games are significantly reduced to 1 or 2 hours per week. Members of competition marching bands participate in 3-5 marching contests as well. Marching bands may advance to the UIL Area and State Marching Championships. Performances during the concert season include 3-5 concerts and 3-5 festival performances. Students may also participate in a series of auditions related to the all-state process as well as solo and ensemble contests. Attendance at after school, section rehearsals is required. Students participating in marching band must have a physical on file with the director. Students in marching band will also earn PE credit after school in 2 fall semesters.
Band membership requires, a 1-2 hour weekly section rehearsal during concert season. More advanced performing groups may require an additional weekly full ensemble rehearsal of 1-2 hours. Additional full group rehearsals often occur leading up to major performances. Specific rehearsal and performance requirements for each band are provided by the director.
Choral Music I-IV: (1/2 - 4 credits) This course is designed to develop and refine music reading skills and to encourage artistic expression through choral singing. Rehearsals focus on choral techniques through proper vocal production. Theory and sight-reading techniques are also emphasized with continued development of the knowledge and skills in musicianship and performance. Students will sing literature from the Renaissance to popular and show choir music. This enables the students to gain an appreciation for different vocal styles, composers, form, periods, and cultures. Choir classes are ability-based and placement is determined by various performance criteria developed by the choral staff and may include an audition. A student with no prior experience may enroll in the program and will be place in the appropriate group by the director. Attendance at after-school rehearsals and performances is a requirement for the performing choirs. Students will participate in three to four concerts per year, solo and ensemble contest, UIL concert and sight-reading contest and a music festival.
After school rehearsals are held prior to contests and performances. These sessions are scheduled through the director. A calendar with specific rehearsal and performance requirements for each choir is provided by the director at the beginning of the school year and updated as needed.
Vocal Ensemble I - IV: (1 - 4 credits) This small group of top vocal students is comprised of the most highly skilled and motivated students in the choral program. A student must be chosen as a member of the varsity mixed choir in the program to be considered for membership in this very select ensemble. Emphasis is placed on carrying an independent part in a small ensemble group, and students must exhibit the appropriate level of vocal technique, sight-reading ability, and work ethic in order to be considered for this course. This group is focused on advanced literature and performs music selected from a wide variety of musical styles including traditional choral music, madrigals, motets, and Broadway and popular literature. Performance is stressed, and some time will be devoted to choreography. The name of such a group may differ with the high school in which it is organized. • Prerequisite: Varsity mixed choir; audition and approval of the choral director
Attendance at extra rehearsals, competitions, and numerous performances of this ensemble is required.
Music Theory AP: (1 credit) The main objective of the AP Music Theory Course is for students to develop aural, sight singing, written, composition, and analytical skills in music. This course covers material typically taught at the college freshman level with emphasis placed on basic pitch and rhythmic notation or scale structures, pitch intervals, chord structure and movement, part writing, ear training, harmonization, and music composition. Upon completion of this course, students will be prepared to take the College Board Advanced Placement Music Theory Examination. Prerequisites: • 11th and 12th graders • A level I Music course is a required prerequisite. • Minimum of two years membership in high school band, choir, or orchestra and taken concurrently with band, choir, or orchestra OR a minimum proficiency school on the CFISD Advanced Theory Placement Test.
Orchestra I-IV: (1/2 - 4 credits) The high school orchestra program provides one to four levels of classes during the school day. Instructional priorities include instrument technique, musicianship, critical listening, cultural growth, basic music theory, creative self-expression, rehearsal and concert etiquette, self-discipline, responsible citizenship, effective communication, problem solving, and production of quality products. Orchestra students are given an opportunity to continue musical growth and experience quality music literature. Several large ensemble, small ensemble, and individual performance opportunities are provided for students in performing orchestras. Performances include 3-5 concerts and 3-5 festival performances. Students may also participate individually in a series of auditions related to the all-state process as well as solo and ensemble contests.
Attendance at extra rehearsals, competitions, and numerous performances of this ensemble is required.