Arts

If you are interested in the Performing Arts, you can take the following courses:

• Chorus 2 A/B

• Chamber Choir (Acapella) A/B with audition.  Auditions held on March 6, 2025.  (Contact Mr. Schwartz at Keith_A_Schwartz@mcpsmd.org for audition details)

• Guitar A/B

• Piano A/B

• Symphonic Band A/B (Patriot Winds or Symphonic Winds, contact Ms Eckerle at Susan_Eckerle@mcpsmd.org for audition details)

• Symphonic Orchestra A/B (Patriot Strings or Symphonic Strings, contact Ms. Herman at Carolyn_M_Herman@mcpsmd.org for audition details)

• Theatre 1A/B

• Stage Design A/B

If you are interested in the Visual Arts, you can take the following courses: 

• Ceramics 1 A/B

• Fashion Illustration A/B

• Foundations of Art and Culture A/B

• *Painting A/B

• Photography 1 A/B

• 2-D Studio Art 1 A/B (Drawing) 

*Must have taken Middle School Art to take this in 9th grade

ABSOLUTELY! We often hear "I can't" from prospective students. Our goal as instructors is to show you that YOU CAN! Through guidance and instruction, any one of the beginner Fine Arts classes will teach you how to be successful in the discipline or media of choice. 

All of the bands are a family that we'd love for you to be a part of! All three bands engage with rigorous music that builds skills and musicianship. The music in Symphonic Winds and Wind Ensemble is harder (Grade IV to VI music) than Patriot Winds.  Patriots Winds is mostly 9th and 10th grade, with some 11th and 12th graders. Symphonic Winds is 10th - 12th grade and Wind Ensemble are mostly 11th and 12th grades with some 9th and 10th graders. If you have additional questions or need clarification or would like to audition for a certain ensemble,  email the band director, Ms. Eckerle at Susan_Eckerle@mcpsmd.org . She would be happy to guide you. 

All string players are important and will be placed in a section of orchestra that is appropriate for their current skill level. Students will be placed in the correct section based on the recommendation of the middle school orchestra director or with the submission of an audition to Mrs  Herman. Wootton’s orchestras begin with Patriot Strings. This class consists of mostly 9th and 10th grade students and focuses on educational literature focused on developing strings, rhythm and musical skills.  Symphonic Strings is a class that consists of 9th graders who auditionEd and were accepted into MMEA All State Orchestra while in middle school.  This class also includes strong 10th - 12th graders who are continuing to improve their skills. Chamber Orchestra is Wootton’s top orchestra class which is mostly 11th and 12th graders with a few very talented 10th graders.  

Incoming 9th graders should register for Patriot Strings or Patriot Winds, unless they have made All State in middle school.  If incoming 9th graders have made All State in middle school, they can sign up for Symphonic Winds or Symphonic Strings.  Rising 10th-12th graders will be informed by Ms. Herman and Ms. Eckerle as to the class they should enroll in. 

Yes! You can email the Band Director, Ms. Eckerle at Susan_Eckerle@mcpsmd.org or Ms. Herman, Orchestra Conductor at Carolyn_M_Herman@mcpsmd.org,  to set up an audition.  They will work with you in determining which ensemble is the best fit for you.

An audition is required to enroll in a class a student has not been recommended for.  Acapella auditions will be held March 6, 2025.   Rising 9th graders as well as students not currently in a band or orchestra class who would like to audition for a band or orchestra class will submit a video on Canvas by March 16.  The teachers listed below would be happy to help work with you to set up an audition so you are placed in a class that is the best fit for you.  Please email the teacher to setup an audition. 

 Band audition materials can be found at woottonmusic.org. 

Band Director: Susan_Eckerle@mcpsmd.org

Choral Director: Keith_A_Schwartz@mcpsmd.org

Orchestra Conductor: Carolyn_M_Herman@mcpsmd.org

No, Marching Band is not a class it is an extracurricular activity. However, many of the students who participate in Marching Band do that in addition to playing in one of the various ensembles. Contact Ms. Eckerle at Susan_Eckerle@mcpsmd.org for information about Marching Band, Color Guard, and Indoor Guard, their schedules and participation. 

We STRONGLY encourage students who want to participate in an extracurricular that is related to courses we offer to take advantage of the courses offered. In these courses you will learn the techniques and skills needed to have a successful audition and be a success on stage and off stage.  Taking Theatre classes also gives you the opportunity to get to know the Drama Director and receive first hand information on the extracurricular opportunities while learning the "ins" and "outs" of what happens on and off stage. 

If you need an instrument, one will be provided for you on loan for the duration of the school year. 

Our rigorous beginner, level art courses start where Middle School art leaves off.  By starting at the beginning of a course of program as a Freshman, you will gain the skills and learn techniques that will help you be successful in the upper level art courses. 

We love when students decide to continue with an Arts program of study. If you enjoyed the class in which you received the Art credit in, that class will have upper level courses that will provide you with advanced level, honors credit. If you want to try something new and different, you have that option available to you as well. We strongly encourage engaging in arts courses across disciplines and enrolling in multiple arts classes. Are you a performer? Take a performing arts class AND a visual arts class for a well rounded academic experience.

We love for our students to stay with us for a full year but we understand sometimes that's not possible. The follow courses can be taken for a full year or allow you to take semester B without semester A. 

• Chorus 2

• Foundations of Art and Culture

• Painting

• Ceramics 1

• Fashion Illustration

• Theatre 1