810 - Band Full Year 1 credit

Recommended:  All Grades

Prerequisite: High School Music Teacher recommendation

Concert band will be offered to all students who can demonstrate the ability to perform on their given instrument at the high school level.  Band encourages the development of creative expression and will survey and perform all types of music from classical to contemporary as well as learning repertoire standards for concert band.  The students will be expected to acquire the basic skills in theory and appreciation.  Emphasis will be placed on performance, tone, technique, and intonation, as well as knowledge of the elements of music theory, style and ear training.  The concert band competes in State and National Festival competitions yearly.

The marching band is an integral part of concert band.  We perform at both the local and state levels in several parades throughout the year to promote the town, the school, and the band, as well as adding to the education of the student.  The “pep band” directed by students, serves as another link of support to the school community, which performs at home events as determined.

811 – Chorus Full Year 1 credit

Recommended:  All Grades

Chorus will be offered to all students who are interested in performing vocally.  Chorus gives the student an opportunity to express him or herself without having had any previous musical experience or training.  

Students will be exposed to music of various languages common to choral repertoire such as Latin, French, Italian, German and African.  They will perform a combination of classical, contemporary, and popular programs, and at least three performances are given each year, with opportunities for more.

Exploring Music

817 – Exploring Music Half Year ½  credit

Recommended:  All Grades

What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘music’? Do you think about your favorite band or artist? In this course, you’ll learn about how we hear music; how music affects our lives; essential elements of music like rhythm, pitch, and harmony; different musical genres; singing and your voice; various instruments; music composition; and the history and culture of music over the years.

Beginning Guitar

812 – Beginning Guitar

Recommended:  All Grades Half Year ½  credit

This course is open to all grade levels.  Students will learn to read music and play pieces in a variety of styles from Classical to Blues to Rock.  Students will be exposed to chords including first position, barre and power, and will play them in various rock and blues progressions.  Students will also be exposed to the use of tabulatur

Advanced Guitar

831 –Advanced Guitar

Recommended:  Grades 10-12 Half Year ½  credit

Prerequisite: Must have completed Beginning Guitar or be able to demonstrate knowledge of chord progressions.

This course is designed for students who have a solid grasp on chords and chord progressions covered in the Beginning Guitar class. In Advanced Guitar, students will learn to play in a variety of styles. Students will continue to develop their standard notation and tablature note reading skills. Students will gain experience in ensemble playing. Students will learn scales, arpeggio playing, and more. 

Beginning Percussion

820 – Beginning Percussion Half Year ½  credit

Recommended:  All Grades

This is a hands-on course which will focus on learning various instruments in the percussion family. The purpose of this course is to introduce and develop the basic techniques of percussion playing and music reading. Practical experience in playing instruments of the percussion family.

Instrumental Lab

832 – Instrumental Lab Half Year ½  credit

Recommended:  All Grades

In this course, students will choose an instrument they would like to learn to play. Instrument selection is on an availability basis, or students may choose to get their own. This exploratory course offers students the opportunity to learn an instrument of their choice and, for those who already play an instrument, the opportunity to expand their musical abilities on a new instrument. All skill levels, from complete beginner to advancing musician, are welcome and encouraged to build their knowledge at an individual level. Students will learn the fundamentals of music theory, notation, and rhythm and increase difficulty levels according to background experience. Students will develop an appropriate level of instrument proficiency. Students will participate in small groups/ensembles with their peers to further develop their musicianship. Music history and appreciation will be built into the course. 

Jazz/Rock Band

833 – Jazz/Rock Band Full Year     1 credit

Recommended:  All Grades

This course is designed for students who have the desire to play in a Jazz and/or Rock Band. Students will need prior knowledge of any of the following instruments: Guitar, Bass, Piano, Drumset, woodwind, or brass instruments. Students will explore a variety of musical literature that isn’t suitable for a concert band. Jazz/Rock Band students will be held to the same standards as the concert band in regard to instrumental playing ability and required performances. 

Music in Film

815– Music in Film Half Year ½  credit

Recommended:  All Grades

The purpose of this course is to give the student an overview of the history of music in America through film.  We will survey and explore the music composed for and used in various films.  We will discuss the evolution of the film composer and several films of various genres will be analyzed.  Upon completion of this course, students will have knowledge of several compositional techniques used in a variety of film genres, have a knowledge of a variety of film composers and film music history, and be able to analyze films for musical content. 

Introduction to Acting

834– Introduction to Acting Half Year ½  credit

Recommended:  All Grades

This course is intended for all students who see a need to improve their personal presentation skills - skills essential to “real-world” success. During this course, students will have multiple opportunities to improve both  verbal and non-verbal communication through the student and performances of exemplar scripts and acting methods. Students in this course will learn theater conventions as they prepare and perform monologues and duet acting scenes in various styles. In addition, students will grow in their ability to “think of their feet” with the help of various improvisation activities. Emphasis will also be placed upon audition/interview skills and critical evaluation of peer performance.