Photo: Carrboro High School Jazz Ensemble
Dr. John Carmichael
jcarmichael@chccs.k12.nc.us
Carrboro Arts Website
Noah Marcus
noah.marcus@chccs.k12.nc.us
CHHS Performing Arts Website
Ryan Ellefsen
rellefsen@chccs.k12.nc.us
East Arts Website
You like music!
You already play an instrument!
You want to develop more proficiency on your instrument!
You want to play complex music!
You read music!
You want to be part of a group!
You want to make friends!
You want to be involved in out of school activities!
You like to work toward goals!
Rent, Purchase or Borrow an Instrument
We encourage students to purchase or rent an instrument. However, some school instruments are available for student use, and we work closely with SKAJAJA , a local non-profit, and the Public School Foundation to find instruments for students that need them. If you want to participate in orchestra, we will find an instrument for you.
Rising 9th Graders
Prior experience on a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument is required. Most 9th graders register for intermediate or proficient level Concert Band or Marching Band.
See the Arts Pathways document for more information.
Prerequisite: Previous band experience
Weighted Credit For Honors courses:
The weighting of Honors courses shall be one-half (.5). Weighted credit is determined by the State Board of Education.
Concert band is designed for all 9th grade band students and any students as a natural progression from their middle school band experience. This class is a concert ensemble that provides students with the skills and concepts needed to progress them towards proficiency with their instruments and prepare them for the musical demands of the remaining years in the band program. The students focus on musical, theoretical and technical development culminating in performances.
Prerequisite: Previous band experience
Course length: Semester (first semester only)
Carrboro HS - Marching Band is optional.
Chapel Hill HS - Marching Band is optional, but strongly encouraged
East Chapel Hill HS - No Marching Band course is offered, students play in Pep Band at home football games.
Marching Band combines music, coordinated movement, athleticism and elements of dance into an energetic field show. The Marching Band performs at home football games, festivals and parades. The season begins in late summer with band camp and concludes in early November. A parade through Chapel Hill and Carrboro finishes the semester responsibilities. There are clinics available in the spring to help students learn new instruments and refine skills. Marching Band rehearses after school two and sometimes three days each week once school starts and the hours are determined and specified by the director. Students may opt to receive course credit for marching band, or participate in marching band without receiving course credit.
Prerequisite: Audition
Weighted Credit For Honors courses:
The weighting of Honors courses shall be one-half (.5). Weighted credit is determined by the State Board of Education.
Jazz Ensemble is a select group of serious musicians specializing in the true American art form: jazz. In this class, students develop mastery of jazz music through a rigorous curriculum of study, rehearsal and performance of the different styles and aspects of jazz and improvisation. Instrumentation is determined by the director based on ensemble needs. Additional requirements must be made for those selected to the Honors Jazz Ensemble (grades 10-12 only).
Prerequisite:
Symphonic Band: successful completion of Concert Band
Honors Symphonic Band: at least two years of prior study
Weighted Credit For Honors courses:
The weighting of Honors courses shall be one-half (.5). Weighted credit is determined by the State Board of Education.
Symphonic Band is a concert ensemble in which students are challenged to further develop and improve their master of musicality and technique. These students have challenging and rigorous demands placed on them as individual musicians. Symphonic Band plays music with a high level of demand and performs several concerts throughout the year. Students may enroll in Symphonic Band at the intermediate level. Honors credit at the proficient and advanced levels is an option with the director’s consent. Additional requirements must be met at these higher levels.
Note: Percussion ensemble students in grades 9-12 will participate in Marching Band as a co-curricular class.
Prerequisite: Percussionists only with director’s consent
Weighted Credit For Honors courses:
The weighting of Honors courses shall be one-half (.5). Weighted credit is determined by the State Board of Education.
This course is designed for percussion students. Students are challenged to further develop and improve their techniques on all percussion instruments, as well as their musicality. Students in this class have the opportunity to play and perform in a variety of percussive ensembles throughout the year and may be assigned to perform the percussion parts in Concert Band and Symphonic Band concerts.