Music Department

String Ensemble Pathways:

Concert Orchestra

• Default ensemble for 9th grade students

• Appropriate for some 10th grade students

• Preparatory ensemble for Symphony Orchestra

• This class prepares students with the "Suggested skills" for the Symphony Orchestra.

  • For some students, this will take two years to accomplish (e.g., 9th and 10th grades).

  • Some students enter high school prepared with these skills. 

    • Those who can already demonstrate these skills may audition and be placed (by the orchestra director) in the Symphony Orchestra.

Symphony Orchestra

• Pre-requisite: Audition and/or Instructor consent

  • Students who have already been admitted to Symphony Orchestra have instructor consent, unless otherwise indicated.

  • Students who are joining the Symphony Orchestra for the first time must audition for the orchestra director.

    • This includes all 11th and 12th grade students who are joining Symphony Orchestra for the first time.

    • Students without instructor consent may be moved to Concert Orchestra at the discretion of the orchestra director.

• Suggested skills for audition:

  • Play with consistent and accurate intonation, as well as consistent and productive posture/technique.

  • Be able to perform 3 octave C Major, G Major and D Major scales.

    • Comfort shifting between positions required for these scales.

  • Be able to perform 2 octave major and minor scales up to 5 sharps and flats. 

    • Comfort shifting between positions required for these scales.

  • Students should have a beginning knowledge of vibrato.

  • It is encouraged that all Symphony Orchestra members take private lessons.

  • Students should be able to demonstrate correct detaché, legato, marcato, and staccato bow strokes.

  • Be able to fluently read music notation for their instrument.

Chamber Orchestra (Not Currently Offered)

• Students in Chamber Orchestra must be concurrently enrolled in the Symphony Orchestra.

• Admittance by audition only.

• Required skills:

  • Play with consistent and accurate intonation, as well as consistent and productive posture/technique.

  • Be able to perform 3 octave major and minor scales up to three sharps and flats.

    • Fluency shifting between positions required for these scales.

  • Be able to perform 2 octave major and minor scales up to 6 sharps and flats. 

    • Fluency shifting between positions required for these scales.

  • Consistent and effective vibrato.

  • It is strongly encouraged that all Chamber Orchestra members take private lessons.

  • Students should be able to demonstrate correct detaché, legato, marcato, and staccato bow strokes.

  • Be able to fluently read music notation for their instrument.

Music Theory Pathway

Music Appreciation (Introduction to Music Theory)

• There is no formal prerequisite for this course. All students are welcomed to join this class.

• This class prepares students with the suggested foundational skills for AP Music Theory.

AP Music Theory

• There is no formal prerequisite for this course. However, it is strongly recommended that students have a foundation in music notation literacy, including:

  • Treble clef note reading

  • Bass clef note reading

  • Understanding of rhythm and rhythmic groupings from whole note to sixteenth note

• Students who do not have the recommended foundational skills may wish to take Music Appreciation (Introduction to Music Theory) prior to enrolling in AP Music Theory.

  • This course is offered Spring Semester (Quarters 3/4).

Music 1010 (CE) Pathway

Music 1010 (CE)

• There is no formal prerequisite for this course. 

• Students should be able to register for SLCC.

• Students should be able to understand that registering for SLCC and registering for Music 1010 at OHS are two different processes, and that both need to be completed for students to successfully enroll in this course.

Choir-

Freshmen can take Women’s or Men’s Choir

Sophomores can take Women’s or Men’s Choir OR Mixed/Chamber Choir

Juniors can take Concert Choir as long as they have previously taken choir at Olympus. OR they may audition for Concert Choir

Juniors and Seniors may audition for Madrigals, but seniors will be considered over juniors.

Band Pathway:

Symphonic Band

-Symphonic Band is an ensemble available for students who have previously played a wind instrument (woodwind or brass) in Jr. High, private lessons, or another ensemble. A majority of incoming freshman will take Symphonic Band as part of their overall band experience at Olympus High School. The ensemble covers the skills of ensemble playing and performance, as well as an emphasis on developing individual skill and technique. The ensemble performs in concerts, festivals, solo and ensemble, and plays appropriately graded concert band literature. Entrance to the ensemble is based on audition and interview, and is a pre-requisite for taking advanced ensembles in band. All students in Symphonic Band are considered part of the Olympus High School Titan Band (Pep Band) and perform at athletic or other school or public events. Students in Symphonic Band may have to participate in periodic rehearsals during ‘zero period’ in addition to their normal class hours. Skill covered in Symphonic Band include: covering of all 12 major and natural minor scales, focusing on four scales and associated technical patterns, unique technical skills focusing on range, flexibility, and tone, rhythmic vocabulary, and ensemble playing including balance, blend, intonation and tuning, and musicianship. Students will also be expected to pass a music theory assessment at the end of the year covering key signatures, the circle of fifths, major and minor scale patterns, notation, and rhythmic vocabulary.  

Wind Symphony

-Wind Symphony is an advanced concert band that is available a)through audition and/or b) passing off skills in Symphonic Band. Freshman can gain entrance to Wind Symphony through audition if there is a need and if there skill can contribute to the ensemble. Otherwise students must take Symphonic Band first and pass off enough skills to merit entrance to the ensemble. The Wind Symphony is comprised of a limited number of wind instruments who perform high level concert band literature. They perform at concerts, festivals, solo and ensemble, and at public events. All students in Wind Symphony are considered part of the Olympus High School Titan Band (Pep Band) and perform at athletic or other school or public events. Students in Wind Symphony may have to participate in periodic rehearsals during ‘zero period’ in addition to their normal class hours.

Jazz Band

-Jazz Band is an big band style jazz ensemble available through an audition. Jazz Band is an advanced performing group with a select number of spots. Students must have taken or be concurrently enrolled in Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, or an Orchestra ensemble. Exceptions may be given for guitar or piano players if they demonstrate sufficient skill during audition. Summer camps will be available to prepare for audition that students are encouraged to participate in to prepare the audition and ensemble. Students will perform in festivals, concerts, jazz combos, and will solo during improvisation sections. Skills covered include performing a variety of jazz genres and styles, including swing, ballads, latin, funk, rock, samba, and bossa nova. Students will also learn their major scales and arpeggios, mixolydian scales, dorian scales, learn jazz harmony, be exposed to a variety of jazz literature, and become greater at improvisation and individual musicianship.

Percussion Ensemble

-Percussion Ensemble is a course for interested percussionists at all levels. Students must audition and interview, and must have previous experience in a percussion class or have taken a year of piano lessons. Some students may be taken from other band courses, or if they demonstrate through audition and interview the proper disposition for the ensemble. Percussionists must be available for additional rehearsals before or after school, or during lunch hours occasionally. They will perform at concerts, festivals, percussion festivals, solo and ensemble, and other events. The students contribute to concert bands (Symphonic Band/Wind Symphony) as well as performing their own literature. Percussionists in the ensemble will be part of the Olympus Titan Drumline, and will participate in athletic and public events. Skills covered include major and minor scales, drum rudiments, skill on all percussion instruments, extensive mallet techniques, extensive rhythmic vocabulary, and individual musicianship.

Jazz Combos

-Jazz Combos is a course for all interested students who want to develop their jazz musicianship. The course is available for any wind instruments, guitarists, drummers, bass players, or pianists who are interested in learning jazz. Jazz Combos is not a performing group, but there may be some performing opportunities available through jazz combos- small ensembles who focus on improvisation. Any student who wants to develop greater jazz skill, or who are interested in auditioning for jazz band, will take this ensemble. The group meets during ‘zero period’ a couple of times a week. Skills covered include major, mixolydian, dorian, and blues scales and arpeggios, rhythmic vocabulary, swing and other jazz genre styles, and improvisation.

Olympus High School Band Course Descriptions

Symphonic Band (Grades 9-12): Symphonic Band is the primary concert band ensemble at Olympus High School. All incoming woodwind and brass students sign up for and audition for Symphonic Band. One String Bass player and one piano player may join the ensemble. Auditions are in May. Contact the band director for information.

·         Focus is on skill development and performance.

·         Performances include concerts, festivals, and school or public events.

·         Symphonic Band is a pre-requisite for advanced ensembles. Students may complete a year of Symphonic Band before advanced ensembles or take the two ensembles at the same time.

·         Auditions are required: however, most students who audition will enter the band program. The audition helps the director know where a student is at in their skill development. Sign up for the course to receive audition information.

·         All members of Symphonic Band are also part of the Olympus Titan Pep Band and may be asked to contribute to school, public, and athletic events.

·         Students in Symphonic Band are required to do occasional after school events, rehearsals, sectionals, or festivals.

Percussion Ensemble: (Grades 9-12): Percussion Ensemble is an entry level group for percussionists of any skill level who can join after filling prerequisites and auditioning in May. All incoming freshman who are percussionists join this ensemble.

·         Focus on skill development and performance.

·         Performances include concerts (helping concert bands and percussion literature), festivals, and solo and ensemble.

·         All percussionists are part of the Olympus Titan Pep Band and may be asked to contribute to school, public, and athletic events.

·         Percussionists are occasionally required to attend after school rehearsals, clinics, festivals, sectionals, or other events.

·         Pre-Requisite: Percussionists must have a year of percussion experience, piano experience, or other ensemble experience. Students without such experience may reach out to the band director.

·         Percussion skills include mallet, snare drum, drum set, auxiliary percussion, and timpani.

Jazz Band: Advanced Ensemble- Interested musicians may audition for the Jazz Band Ensemble. The Jazz Band is an advanced group that performs jazz musical styles including swing, Latin styles, rock, and funk in a big band and combo format. Select spots are available for wind players (saxophone, trumpet, trombone) and rhythm section musicians (guitar, bass, drum set, and piano).

·         Pre-Requisite: Students must have taken or be currently taking Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, or Orchestra. Exceptions made for piano and guitar, but these players should already have experience.

·         Auditions are in August- feel free to sign up for the course to receive audition information. Standing in ensemble depends on audition and pre-requisites.

·         Jazz meets ‘0’ period- meaning before school hours for four days during the week. (One hour for each rehearsal  

·         Jazz Band emphasizes performance at festivals, concerts, and public and school events.

·         Jazz students are required for occasional after school events such as festivals, clinics, and sectionals, as well as other public or school events.

Jazz Lab: Jazz Lab is a class focused on building jazz skills and musicianship. It is not a performing ensemble, but a place for students to come and learn how to play or increase their current skillset in jazz performance.

·         A great place to prepare for jazz auditions.

·         No audition required for the class.

·         Focus on building skills, including improvisation, scales, style, rhythm, and gaining an understanding of jazz theory.

·         Open to any instrument included in the jazz band.