Heights High Course Planning Guide 26-27

Music Courses: Electives

Participants in Heights High Symphony, Concert Orchestra, Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Choir, and Singers are required to attend all scheduled after school and/or evening sections and/or full group rehearsals as a part of the normal requirement for the courses. A calendar of scheduled events outside the normal school day is issued in September. Participation in Marching Band is required of all Wind and Percussion players in the Heights High Symphony, Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band (uniform fee of $25.00-50.00).

Applied Guitar

This course is designed to teach basic guitar performance and some intermediate guitar skills. The course will present materials to be performed on the guitar as well as music history, music reading, music appreciation, and music analysis. The curriculum is aligned with the Ohio Department of Education K – 12 Fine Arts Standards. Class size may be limited by equipment and space availability.

Course Number: 1000917
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: .50
Length of Course: Semester
Prerequisite: None
Fee: None

Choir

Choir is a choral ensemble which performs fine choral music in a traditional manner. Repertoire includes music from the Renaissance through to the Contemporary. Skills taught will include tone production, voice placement, note and rhythm reading Bel Canto vocal techniques. Within the group are specialty groups and solo opportunities. Choir performs at numerous community and school events, the OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Event, and presents a major concert each semester. Successful participation in Choir requires attendance/participation in all its activities: daily classes, afternoon or evening rehearsals, and concerts. New members will audition for the choral music department with placement in Choir or Singers determined at the audition.

Course Number: 1000903
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: Audition
Fee: Uniform usage $40-$50

Concert Band

This course is a preparatory course for student musicians seeking membership into Symphonic Band, Symphonic Winds or Heights High Symphony. Emphasis will be placed on developing mature levels of musicianship, tone quality, articulation, rhythmic accuracy, and sight reading. Repertoire will be chosen according to the balance and musical strengths of the group. Work toward instrument switch-over will be included during the year. Successful participation in this course requires being able to read notes and rhythms, to know proper fingering, positions and membership in the Marching Band.

Course Number: 1000911
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: None
Fee: Uniform usage $25 - $50

Concert Orchestra

Concert Orchestra is the first-year ensemble for musicians who want to play string instruments (violin, viola, cello, bass, or harp) in an ensemble without passing a formal entrance audition. Students rehearse daily and perform in at least three concerts during the school year. Students should possess at least beginning technical and musical skills on their chosen instrument. The course focuses on the development and improvement of technical and musical skills through more intensive warm-ups, technical study, and repertoire. This ensemble is designed to fulfill the needs of string players who: 1) seek to improve their skills prior to Philharmonic Strings or auditioning for the Heights High Symphony, or 2) enjoy playing in a string orchestra with fewer performance obligations. The level of difficulty of the music is High School Class C and Festival literature as designated by the Ohio Music Education Association. Students may be placed in the Concert Orchestra by continuation from 8th grade orchestra, teacher recommendation, or informal audition. Students who show unusually rapid technical and musical development may be moved to Philharmonic Strings or Symphony. Fundamentals of intonation, posture, articulation, tone production, sight reading, and musicality are emphasized with technical exercises and string orchestra repertoire. Successful participation in this ensemble requires attendance/participation in all its activities: daily classes, sectionals, and scheduled evening/after school rehearsals immediately before concerts.

Course Number: 1000912
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: Prior string instrument learning
Fee: Uniform usage $5

Philharmonic Strings

Philharmonic Strings is for moderately advanced string players who also wish to play in a full symphony orchestra. Philharmonic strings rehearse daily and present at least three concerts each year. Members of Heights Philharmonic Strings will also perform some final rehearsals and concerts together with the Heights High Symphony. Students must possess at least intermediate technical and musical skills and have completed either a year of Concert Orchestra, received a criteria-based teacher recommendation, or performed a satisfactory audition. The level of difficulty of music for the Philharmonic Strings is High School Class B literature as designated by the Ohio Music Education Association. Fundamentals of intonation, balance, articulation, tone production, sight reading, and musicality are emphasized through exercises and repertoire. Successful participation in this ensemble requires attendance/participation in all its activities: daily classes, string sectionals, and scheduled evening/after-school rehearsals immediately before a concert or contest.

Course Number: 1000920
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: Audition/ Recommendation
Fee: Uniform usage $5

Heights High Symphony

Symphony is for advanced string players who wish to play high-level literature. Members of Heights High Symphony will also perform some final rehearsals and concerts together with the Heights Philharmonic Strings and/or Symphonic Winds. Heights High Symphony rehearses daily and presents four or more concerts each year. Students must possess highly advanced technical and musical skills and be recommended for enrollment in the course by the director of the Symphony. The level of difficulty of music is High School Class AA & A literature as designated by the Ohio Music Education Association. Aspects of intonation, balance, articulation, tone production, sight reading, and musicality are polished through repertoire. Members of the Symphony may also be required to participate in the musical theater production as the pit orchestra. Successful participation in this ensemble requires attendance/participation in all its activities: daily classes, string sectionals, and scheduled evening/after-school rehearsals immediately before a concert or contest.

Course Number: 1000915
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: Audition
Fee: Uniform usage $25 - $50

Chamber Music

This course is for intermediate to advanced musicians who are interested in the unique opportunities and musical autonomy that a small chamber ensemble offers. Members of the group are generally members of the larger Bands and/or Orchestras. Rehearsals are scheduled outside of the school day. Students interested in this group will be placed at the conclusion of marching band season. Membership will be determined at that time.

Course Number: 1000918
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: .25
Length of Course: Semester
Prerequisite: Audition and Teacher Recommendation
Fee: None

Jazz Combo

This course is for advanced musicians who are interested in the solo and improvisational opportunities that a small jazz combo offers. Members of the group are also usually members of the larger Jazz Ensemble. Rehearsals are scheduled outside of the school day. Students interested in this group will be placed at the conclusion of marching band. Membership will be determined at that time.

Course Number: 1000920
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: .25
Length of Course: Semester
Prerequisite: Audition
Fee: None

Jazz Ensemble

This course is for advanced musicians with a serious interest in jazz performance. It is limited to standard instrumentation (saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass and drums). Various jazz styles and improvisational skills are developed through a wide variety of music. This group may tour each year with either the Heights High Symphony or Symphonic Winds. They perform major concerts in November, February, and May and regularly attend regional Jazz Festivals. Membership in this group will be determined by audition in the spring for the upcoming school year. Jazz Ensemble is an extension of the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Symphonic Winds or Heights High Symphony courses and membership in Jazz Ensemble is only open to students currently enrolled in one of these ensembles.

Course Number: 1000916
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: Audition
Fee: $12.00 Uniform Fee

Bass Chorus

Bass chorus is an ensemble of students who are interested in performing choral music. Repertoire includes music from the Renaissance to the contemporary. Skills taught will include: tone production, voice placement, vowel shaping, note and rhythm reading and basic breathing techniques. Students are required to participate in all required performances and evening rehearsals.

Course Number: 1000902
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: None
Fee: None

Singers

Singers is a soprano, alto, tenor, bass choral group whose repertoire emphasizes music of the last 150 years. Skills taught will include tone production, voice placement, note and rhythm reading and general vocal techniques. Many pieces will include movement in addition to singing. The group will perform at numerous community and school events and present a major concert each semester. Singers may also participate in joint activities of the music department. Successful participation in the course requires attendance/participation in all activities: daily classes, afternoon or evening rehearsals and concerts. New members will audition for the choral music department with placement in Singers or Choir determined at the audition.

Course Number: 1000904
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: Audition
Fee: Uniform usage $40-$50

Symphonic Band

This course is for students with some advanced skills and abilities in musicianship, tone quality, articulation, rhythmic accuracy and ensemble experience. Students are chosen by audition. This is a balanced band that will continue improving basic skills while developing a repertoire consistent with the type of music found in Ohio Music Educators Association Class B, C, and D Contest lists. Concerts are performed in February and in May. Successful participation in this course requires attendance/participation in all its activities and daily classes, sectional rehearsals, Marching Band rehearsals, scheduled evening rehearsals immediately before a concert or contest and concert performances. Symphonic Band may participate in the District Ohio Music Educators Association Band Competitions.

Course Number: 1000913
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: Audition
Fee: Uniform usage fee, $25 - $50

Symphonic Winds

This course is for students who possess many advanced skills as wind, brass or percussion players. Students are chosen by audition. The group will be a balanced band based on a set ratio of instruments. It will emphasize the highest musical standards and its repertoire will be selected from literature found in the Ohio Music Educators Association Class AA. A, or B Contest lists and similar materials. Four concerts are played during the year with a Spring tour planned every other year. Successful participation in this course requires attendance/participation in all its activities: daily classes, sectional rehearsals, Marching Band rehearsals, scheduled evening rehearsals immediately before a concert or contest, and concert performances. Symphonic Winds may participate in District and State of Ohio Music Educators Association Band Competitions.

Course Number: 1000914
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: Audition
Fee: Uniform usage fee, $25 - $50

Treble Chorus

Treble chorus is an ensemble of students who are interested in performing choral music. Repertoire includes music from the Renaissance to the contemporary. Skills taught will include tone production, voice placement, vowel shaping, note and rhythm reading and basic breathing techniques. Students will be expected to participate in all required performances and evening rehearsals.

Course Number: 1000901
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: None
Fee: $25

AP Music Theory

This course is equivalent to a two-semester college introductory music theory course. Due to the rigor and pace of the class, students should expect daily written homework. Students will learn to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials, notation, instruments, and processes of Western music. Skills will be developed by listening to, reading, analyzing, composing, dictating, and singing music.

The Advanced Placement Examination is a course requirement to earn a weighted grade. Students are responsible for meeting registration deadlines established by the testing coordinator. The CH-UH district will pay all fees associated with the AP test.

Course Number: 1010812
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0
Length of Course: Year
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation
Fee: None

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