Music
Beginning Guitar : 0208
0.5 credit
9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Beginning Guitar is an introductory course for students with little or no prior guitar playing experience. Students will explore a variety of techniques and styles as they form a solid foundation that will help support further growth on the guitar after completing this course.
Students are expected to provide their own full-size Acoustic guitar and case.
America’s Music : 0210
0.5 credit
9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
In this course students will study the music that has been a part of life in America over the past century. We will explore the origins, purpose, meaning, and development of popular styles such as jazz, rock and roll, and hip hop. Students will also explore the connections between culture, artists, and events that influence our music.
Concert Band : 1201/2201
1 credit
9th, 10th
Prior instrumental experience is expected. Please see the article on the band web page titled “New to band?” if you were not in the band this year for details.
This is a two semester course. The band program emphasizes individual and group development with an understanding of the techniques of performance. The Concert Band studies all styles of music. In addition, students learn basic aspects of music theory and appreciation. The Concert Band performs for various concerts and festivals throughout the year. Students enrolled in this class will be required to participate in performances outside the school day.
Concert Band members join with the Symphonic Band members to form the Marching Band. Members work on marching techniques for presentations at parades and football games. All students will have individual or small group lessons. Students are required to participate in solo/ensemble activities. Members of the Concert Band may participate in the jazz program, musical and athletic bands. Through participation in concerts and festivals, the individual band member will mature as a musician and gain an appreciation of music as a creative art.
A band uniform fee of $20 is charged to each band member at registration.
Students who rent school instruments pay a $50 (annual) rental fee at registration.
Concert Band/Orchestra : 1214/2214
1 credit
9th, 10th
Students in this course will alternate attendance between Concert Band and Orchestra. Please see those course descriptions for further details.
Symphonic Band : 1200/2200
1 credit
11th or 12th
Prior instrumental experience is expected. Please see the article on the band web page titled “New to band?” if you were not in the band this year for details.
This is a two-semester course. The Symphonic Band is composed of juniors and seniors. Freshmen and sophomores may audition for the band. This band will study music of all styles, including music utilizing contemporary performance techniques. The band will play music that is technically demanding to the members. The students will also continue studying music theory and its applications to band music. The Symphonic Band performs at various concerts and festivals throughout the year. Students enrolled in this class will be required to participate in performances outside the school day.
The Symphonic Band will join with the Concert Band to form the Marching Band which will perform at parades and football games. Symphonic Band members will have individual or small group lessons. Students are required to participate in solo/ensemble activities. Members will be highly encouraged to work in small ensembles throughout the year.
Members of the Symphonic Band may participate in the jazz program, musical and athletic bands. Members of the Symphonic Band will work to advance their playing abilities to the highest level. They will be expected to gain a greater understanding of and appreciation for music as a creative art.
A band uniform fee of $20 is charged to each band member at registration.
Students who rent school instruments will pay a $50 (annual) rental fee at registration.
Wind Ensemble : 2213
0.5 credit
2nd Semester Only
Students will be placed in this course by the Director of Bands
The Wind Ensemble will be composed of a select group of students who will perform very challenging music during the second semester of each school year. Each student will have a high degree of responsibility for the success of the band as there will be one or two players on each part. Students will spend part of the semester working in smaller ensembles as well, (such as brass quintets, woodwind quintets, and percussion ensembles). The group will perform at various concerts and festivals during the semester. They will join with members of the Concert Band and Symphonic Band for those activities in which all band members are involved. Students enrolled in this class will be required to participate in performances outside the school day.
Orchestra : 1211/2211
1 credit
Prereq: Middle School Orchestra
Prior instrumental experience is expected
High School Orchestra is a two-semester course that meets 5 days a week. The class is divided into two groups: students that concurrently participate in Concert Band (“ConcBnd/Orch” on your schedule), and those who do not (“Orchestra” on your schedule). Students in Concert Band participate in the “Large Group Orchestra” component of the course. Students not involved in Concert Band participate in the “Large Group Orchestra” and “Chamber Strings” portions of the Course. “Large Group Orchestra” typically meets on Tuesday and Thursday, while “Chamber Strings” meet on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Large Group Orchestra is a continuation of 4-8 Orchestra. Students continue to build performance skills, and musical sensibility while studying a variety of string literature as an ensemble, and in solos and ensembles throughout the year.
Chamber Strings is also a continuation of 4-8 Orchestra that meets on days opposite of large group orchestra. This group will study a separate set of literature. Students in this group will have a required performance as a group, at the Solo/Ensemble festival in March, and possibly the State festival in April.
Mixed Choir : 1202/2202
1 credit
9th, 10th
This is a two-semester course that meets every day. The course includes the study of vocal anatomy, choral technique, music theory, and music appreciation. Members will work to improve their singing ability as an individual and as an effective ensemble member. No previous musical training is required for membership. The group performs many styles of 3 & 4-part music at various concerts and festivals during the year. No audition is required. All students will have individual or small group lessons. Students are required to participate in solo/ensemble activities. Members are highly encouraged to participate in the Musical Theater production in the fall. Freshmen may audition for Chamber Singers and Viking Chordsmen. Sophomores may audition for those as well as Madrigal and Vocal Jazz. Students enrolled in this class will be required to participate in performances outside the school day.
A robe-cleaning fee of $15 is charged to each Mixed Choir member at registration.
Concert Choir : 1204/2204
1 credit
11th, 12th
Prereq: Mixed Choir or Audition with Instructor
This is a two-semester course that meets every day. The choir studies many styles of 4, 6, & 8-part music, sight singing, ear training, music theory, music appreciation, and choral technique. Members will work to improve their singing ability as an individual and as an effective ensemble member. All students will have individual or small group lessons. The group is active throughout the year with performances at various concerts and festivals. Students are required to participate in solo/ensemble activities. Members are highly encouraged to participate in the Musical Theater production in the fall. Members may audition for Madrigal, Vocal Jazz, Chamber Singers, and Viking Chordsmen. Students enrolled in this class will be required to participate in performances outside the school day.
A robe-cleaning fee of $15 is charged to each choir member at registration.
Music Technology : 0201
0.5 credit
10th, 11th, 12th
Students in Music Technology will study the physics, electronics, and techniques behind modern audio technology. Students will also explore the role, and growth of music technology, as it relates to the music that we listen to. Projects will include radio commercials, music recording and mixing, music remixing, and sound for video.