Music

Enrollment in the fall semester includes rehearsal and performance responsibilities that include the marching band, concert band, and pep band. Attendance is required at all extra functions, including “band camp” (in late July-early August), after-school rehearsals, and performances.

Enrollment in the spring semester includes rehearsal and performance responsibilities that include the concert band and pep band. Attendance is required at all extra functions including after-school rehearsals and performances.

Symphonic Band Brass is an instrumental music course designed to provide instruction to brass instrumentalists in basic musicianship, music theory, music history, and instrumental performance skills. Woodwind instruments include trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone / euphonium, and tuba. Color Guard students who also play brass instruments should enroll as well. The band also provides entertainment support for various school and community events through its co-curricular activities.

Symphonic Band Percussion is an instrumental music course designed to provide instruction to percussion instrumentalists in basic musicianship, music theory, music history, and instrumental performance skills. Percussion instruments include drums, mallet keyboards, and other accessory percussion instruments. Color Guard students who also play percussion instruments should enroll as well. The band also provides entertainment support for various school and community events through its co-curricular activities.

Symphonic Band Woodwinds is an instrumental music course designed to provide instruction to woodwind instrumentalists in basic musicianship, music theory, music history, and instrumental performance skills. Woodwind instruments include flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, and saxophone. Color Guard students who also play woodwind instruments should enroll as well. The band also provides entertainment support for various school and community events through its co-curricular activities.

Enrollment in the fall semester includes rehearsal and performance responsibilities that include the marching band, concert band, and pep band. Attendance is required at all extra functions including our “band camp” in late July, after-school rehearsals, and performances. Additional performance opportunities include jazz ensemble and other small chamber ensembles.

Enrollment in the spring semester includes rehearsals and performance responsibilities that include concert band and pep band. Attendance is required at all extra functions including after-school rehearsals and performances. Additional performance opportunities continue from the fall semester.

Piano I is an introductory class for beginners who are interested in learning fundamental piano skills. Students will learn to sight-read, play familiar melodies and accompaniments, and learn chord progressions and beginning song writing techniques. Classes meet in a 35 station piano lab in which each member of the class has his her own 88 key digital piano, headphones, and materials.

In this course, students will learn the fundamental principals of music through performance with guitars. Basics of music theory such as rhythms, clefs, scales, and chord progressions will be taught using both traditional/folk music along with newer popular music. Students will learn how to strum rhythm guitar chords, play bass lines, and finger-pick melodies.

In this course, students will continue to learn the fundamental principals of music through performance with guitars. Basics of music theory such as rhythms, clefs, scales, and chord progressions will be taught using both traditional/folk music along with newer popular music. Students will learn how to strum rhythm guitar chords, play bass lines, and finger-pick melodies.

Music History is a survey course in which three main areas are studied: 1) Instrument Familites, 2) History of classical Western music from ancient Greece to modern day, and 3) the history of popular music in the U.S. Basic music theory will also be taught to enable students to develop an appreciation for a wide variety of musical styles.

This course seeks to give students an experiences in the study and performance of a diverse repertoire of vocal/choral music. The chourse will include instruction in proper vocal technique, musicianship skills, and the cultural and historical context of choral literature.

All incoming 9th graders are eligible for enrollment in this class, which specifically emphasizes music reading, part singing, and appropriate vocal development for young singers. All freshman in the class are required to perform in multiple concerts, and many are encouraged to audition for Mid State and other honor ensembles.

Uniform requirements for all singers (CHS):

Men: Full tuxedos/black dress shoes

Female: Floor length black dresses/black dress shoes.

Uniforms are purchased once and new sizes can be traded in at no cost, for the remaining time in the choral program.

Available - CHS

Treble Choir is designed for any female singer grades 10-12. This class is well focused on the development of the female voice and will specifically addresses vocal health, technique, and sight-reading/music theory. Many performances and tour opportunities exist for this class, some of which will include collaborative concerts with Advanced Chorale. Uniforms are purchased once and new sizes can be traded in at no cost, for the remaining time in the choral program.

Available: CHS

Prerequisite: Approved by instructor; based on vocal audition.

This class is an advanced group that will focus on period music, advanced vocal development, and will involved multiple performances. The group will be limited in size according to balance. Students will be required to attend extra rehearsals and all concerts. Students in Advanced Chorale will represent CHS in the community and in other functions as the year progresses. There will be a spring concert/competition tour for all students in the class. Uniforms are purchased once and new sizes can be traded in at no cost, for the remaining time in the choral program.

Available: CHS

Select Choir is an honors choral ensemble of mixed voices in grades 10-12. The select choir prepares challenging performance repertoire and participates in a number of performances in the school and throughout the community over the course of the academic year. This ensemble is expected to represent the school in community programs and is frequently asked to perform in collaboration with other choral groups. Students in Select Choir are expected be at an advanced level of singing and are expected to have good sight-reading skills. Enrollment is subject to teacher approval.

Available: CHS

Exam Fee: $120.00 (approximately)

The IB Music Program is a unique course combining the study of music history, music theory, music appreciation, music performance and composition. Students study music from a historical and an analytical perspective in order to understand how music is constructed and how it is to be performed. Students are also exposed to the various musical genres and styles present throughout the world in order to gain an appreciation for the similarities and differences in music and musicians. The course is designed both for experienced musicians who want to improve their performance and / or compositional skills as well as less experienced musicians who want to improve their performance skills through ensemble participation. Ensemble participation for band and choir members is expected.

Assessments for the course include required IB internal and external assessments as well as locally required non-IB assessments.