Fine & Performing Arts

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Students will be responsible for purchasing the required dress/tuxedo for performances during the first month of the school year. 

Concert Band (Fall Term Only)                              

Grades 9-12              Credit 1

Prerequisite: prior band experience is required

In this course, students will play a wide variety of music from classical to popular. Students will be required to perform evening concerts, festivals, and participate in occasional after-school rehearsals prior to these events. 

Percussion Ensemble (Fall Term Only)                                            

Grades 9-12                                   Credit 1

Prerequisite:  audition, prior ensemble experience or permission from instructor

Students enrolled in this class will learn basic to advanced percussion skills including all mallet and accessory instruments.  Percussion ensemble students have double-duty, as they will perform in their own concerts and with Symphonic and Concert Bands.  Performance and rehearsals outside regular school hours are a requirement.

Symphonic Band Honors (Fall Term)                                                    

Grades 9-12                                    Credit 1

Prerequisite: audition and prior band experience

In this course, students will play a wide variety of music from classical to popular. Students will be required to perform evening concerts, festivals, and participate in occasional after-school rehearsals prior to these events.  Performance and rehearsals outside regular school hours are a requirement. 

This ensemble participates in VBODA District Assessment which occurs in March. Students are required to participate in District Assessment. 

Symphonic Band Honors Advanced  (Spring Term)        (possibly offered 2025-2026)                                            

Grades 9-12                                    Credit 1

Prerequisite: successful completion of Symphonic Band Honors

In this course, students will play a wide variety of music from classical to popular. Students will be required to perform evening concerts, festivals, and participate in occasional after-school rehearsals prior to these events.  Performance and rehearsals outside regular school hours are a requirement. Symphonic Band Percussionists may register for the spring term course as well. 

This ensemble participates in VBODA District Assessment which occurs in March. Students are required to participate in District Assessment. 

Guitar I (Spring Term Only)                                                

Grades 9-11                                         Credit 1                           

Students enrolled in this class learn music technique, theory, and vocabulary as well as rhythmic skills and improvisation utilizing classic rock music.  Students will learn the beginning level technical and ensemble skills necessary for performance.      

Guitar II (Spring Term Only)                                              

Grades 10-12                                              Credit 1

Prerequisite:  Guitar I

Building on the concepts learned in Guitar I, students will learn advanced techniques and concepts, allowing them to play more challenging and advanced music. 

Completion of Guitar I and Guitar II satisfies the sequential elective requirement for the Standard Diploma.

Instrumental Foundations         (possibly offered 2025-2026)                                        

Grades 9-12                                         Credit 1                           

Instrumental Foundations is for the student who has never played a band instrument or has not played in many years and is interested in learning and moving into the band program at MPHS. It is also for the band student who would like to study a secondary instrument. Students will receive instruction on an instrument of their choice with guidance from the band director. Students will learn to properly care for the instrument, learn proper playing posture, instrument positions, embouchure and tone production and will apply these skills when playing. Music literacy skills such as reading and notation will be emphasized as students learn to perform music. 

Upon completing this class, it will be a sequential elective going to Concert Band and/or Symphonic Band   

Piano Ensemble                                                        

Grades 10-12                                     Credit 1

Prerequisite: 

Piano class will explore music through the medium of piano performance. Students will play and listen to music from a variety of styles and cultures. Students will develop musical skills throughout the semester and will gain a more thorough understanding of notation, the piano keyboard, basic music theory, musicality, and performance techniques. Students will be taught as an ensemble as well as on an individual basis. Students will be independent learners and will have the opportunity, once the basics are learned; to progress at an individual pace provided certain benchmarks are met.  

Please note: Course is offered in alternating years.   

Students will be responsible for purchasing the required dress/tuxedo for performances during the first month of the school year. 

Concert Chorus                                                        

Grades 9-12                   Credit 1

Prerequisite:  Audition

In this advanced class, students learn a variety of vocal techniques through the study of advanced level choral literature from classical to popular. Students will also continue to build upon their prior learning, music theory, and sight singing skills. Students are required to perform evening concerts, VCDA District Choir Assessment, and to participate in after‑school rehearsals prior to these events.

MP Singers Bass Chorus & Bella Voce Treble Choir 

(tenor and bass singers & alto and soprano singers)

Grades 9-12                                            Credit 1

Prerequisite:  Audition                                             

These courses designed for the beginning level singer, emphasize correct vocal performance techniques through the singing of appropriate choral literature. Students will be required to perform evening concerts and to participate in after-school rehearsals prior to these events.

Chamber Singers Honors                                                    

Grades 10-12                                         Credit 1

Prerequisite:  Audition                                  

This course is designed for the advanced singer. The focus of this ensemble will be performing as well as strengthening vocal technique. Students will be required to perform in evening concerts and community events, and participate in after-school rehearsals prior to events. Students will learn a variety of vocal techniques through the study of advanced level choral literature from multiple genres. Music theory and sight singing skills are taught at an advanced level. Students wishing to audition for this ensemble should have prior singing experience as well as music reading ability. Students must enroll in Chamber Singers Advanced in the spring semester (this fulfills a sequential elective).

Chamber Singers Honors Advanced                                    

Grades 10-12                                        Credit 1

Prerequisite: Chamber Singers Honors  

The focus of Chamber Singers Advanced will be to build vocal and choral technique at an advanced and artist level. Students will be required to perform in evening concerts and community events as well as festivals (to include District Chorus Assessment) and participate in after-school rehearsals prior to events. Students will be required to prepare and audition for solos, both in the classroom as well as for local events such as District Honors Choir. Music of various styles, accompanied and a cappella, including classical, jazz, and popular are learned. Students must be enrolled in Chamber Singers during 1st semester in order to be enrolled in Chamber Singers Advanced.

Music Theory  (not offered 2025-2026)                                                       

Grades 10-12                                     Credit 1

Prerequisite: Two years of participation in band or choir (at least one in high school)

Music Theory is a one semester course that is designed to expand upon the skills learned in a previous music course. Students will develop musical skills that will lead to a thorough understanding of music composition and music theory. Students receive a solid foundation in intervals, pitch patterns, metric/rhythmic patterns, chords, and the terms that are part of a basic understanding of reading, performing, and listening to music. Through this course of study, students will learn to analyze, synthesize and create music with an understanding of the various techniques used in western music. Please note: Course is offered in alternating years. 

Please note: Course is offered in alternating years.   

AP Music Theory                                                        

Grades 10-12                                     Credit 1

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Music Theory or recommendation from instructor 

This purpose of this course is to prepare students for the AP Music exam with college credit and/or placement being awarded if a qualifying score is earned. Students are given a solid foundation in intervals, pitch patterns, metric/rhythmic patterns, chords, and the terms that are part of the e basic understanding of reading, performing, and listening to music. Analysis and some elementary composition, aural skills, sight-reading, and keyboard harmony will also be included. Please note: Course is offered in alternating years. Please note: There is an AP exam associated with this course. AP exams are not required.  Students electing to take an AP exam are responsible for paying the exam fee.  

Please note: Course is offered in alternating years.   

Theatre I                                                                  

Grades 9-11                         Credit 1                                    

Theatre I is an introductory course that will focus on foundational theatre concepts, ensemble work, and basic acting skills development, and will study theatre history from around the world from origins. This course will require students to perform in front of their classmates and in front of audiences.  This course will require a performance at the end of the year as the culminating final exam. 

Time after school is required.

Theatre II                                                        

Grades 9-12                                                Credit 1           

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Theatre I 

This course builds upon the skills and knowledge learned in Theatre I.  Students will study theatre history from around the world from origins to the present.  This course will require students to perform in front of their classmates and in front of audiences.  This course will require a performance at the end of the year as the culminating final exam. Time after school is required.

 Technical Theatre                                                       

Grades 9-12                                                Credit 1   

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Theatre I 

The standards for Technical Theatre help students apply and expand their knowledge of theatre design, production, and management. Students develop problem-solving, communication, organizational, and management skills. Drawing on fine arts and other disciplines, they work individually and collaboratively to explore the interrelated components of design, production, and management. Students practice safe operating procedures, including the care, maintenance, and storage of tools, materials, and equipment.

Advanced Theatre Production                                            

Grades 9-12                                      Credit 1 (course may be repeated) 

Prerequisite: Audition (one prepared monologue and an interview) and successful completion of Theatre 1.

Advanced Theatre Production is a studio style class in which students will act as a professional theatre company and will produce three full-fledged performances/showcases for public viewing and adjudication. Through research, performance, and evaluation, students develop artistic criteria applied to performing and directing. Students study and respond to a variety of theatrical experiences, show casing and applying their collaborative, analytical, interpretive, and problem-solving skills.