Music Department

With the 8 period schedule, students will have room for more than one music class and should be encouraged to take more than one to help build on their musical knowledge and skills. See notes italicized below for which classes students will be expected to take concurrently.

Freshman may skip the beginning level classes (Instruments, Guitar, Piano) if they have taken a similar music class in middle school. The music teachers will get recommendations from the middle school music teachers for which 9th grade students should start in an advanced level class.

Both Beginning Band and Beginning Orchestra will have the class title of “Instruments” so students can get their Fine Arts credit. The specific periods for which one is which must be clear to students and parents. When students select their classes with the counselors on the class selection form, they should list the classes as Beginning Band and Beginning Orchestra, not as instruments. This way the students select the appropriate class.

Students on the Band Pathway (top row) should be encouraged to also do Marching Dynamics for their PE Credit and to participate in marching band. Once the students meet their PE requirement, they should still be encouraged to stay in Marching Dynamics through high school to continue to build their skills and the program.

Marching Dynamics students should be in Mrs. Anthony’s advisory

Choir students should be in Mr. Lucas’ advisory (starting in 2023-2024)

For the choir pathway, “Chorus” is the beginning class and “Choir” is the advanced class.

Guitar students will be expected to continue with Mariachi, but the top few guitar students should also be in the Jazz Ensemble. Mr. Lucas will decide who these students should be based on skill and interest.

Violin students in mariachi are also expected to be in the Advanced Orchestra Class.

Students in the Jazz Ensemble are also expected to be in the Advanced Band class