CONCERT BAND

Full Year - Grades 9-12

Concert Band is taken in the fall by students who are not taking part in marching band and in the spring by all band students after marching band is complete. Students in concert band will have already completed three years of middle school band instruction and will continue to further their knowledge and skills on the same instruments that they played in middle school band. Juniors or seniors in Concert Band are eligible to receive weighted grade credit for this course. Students interested in this option must meet all set criteria to earn the weighted grade.

Concert Band continues to develop the high school player through classroom instruction, preparing them for more advanced level literature and performance. This course offers the opportunity for the study and performance of standard concert band literature and more contemporary compositions. Development of musicianship is emphasized throughout the year and students learn how to perform as soloists, in small groups, and in large ensembles. Attendance and participation at all scheduled performances and activities, including those outside the school day, are required of all students enrolled.

PREREQUISITE: Placement and Approval Based on Audition

JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Full Year - Grades 9-12

The Jazz Ensemble offers opportunities for the study and performance of music in the jazz and pop-rock idiom. Emphasis will be placed on music theory, jazz history, and the development of individual musicianship and improvisational skills. Students will perform at many concerts and jazz festivals on and off campus. Attendance and participation at all scheduled performances and activities, including those outside the school days, are required of all students enrolled. Students in Jazz Ensemble are concurrently enrolled in another performing ensemble in the Music Department.

PREREQUISITE: Placement and Approval Based on Audition

COLOR GUARD

First Semester Only - Grades 9-12

Color Guard begins prior to the start of the school year and takes place throughout the fall semester. Members of the Color Guard perform along with the marching in local parades, at varsity football games, and at marching band competitions. The members will learn to do precision drills, marching routines, and choreographed routines that coordinate with the marching band. Attendance and participation at all schedules performances and activities, including those outside the school day, are required.

PREREQUISITE: Audition and consent of director

STRING ORCHESTRA

Full Year-Grade 9

String Orchestra is the entering course for High School Orchestra. Unless approved by instructor to perform in a higher level orchestra, all freshman will perform in the String Orchestra.

String Orchestra continues to develop the freshman string player through classroom instruction, preparing them for more advanced level performance. This course offers the opportunity for the study and performance of standard orchestral literature and more contemporary compositions. Development of individual musicianship is emphasized throughout the year. Attendance and participation at all scheduled performances and activities, including those outside the school day, are required of all students enrolled.

PREREQUISITE: Prior training in performance on a stringed instrument (violin, viola, cello, or bass).

CONCERT ORCHESTRA

Full Year-Grades 10-12

Concert Orchestra is the second course in sequence of the primary track within the orchestral program. Unless approved by instructor to perform in a more advanced orchestra, all freshman will automatically be enrolled to Concert Orchestra for their sophomore year.

Concert Orchestra continues to develop the high school string player through classroom instruction, preparing them for more advanced level literature and performance. This course offers the opportunity for the study and performance of standard orchestral literature and more contemporary compositions. Development of individual musicianship is emphasized throughout the year. Attendance and participation at all scheduled performances and activities, including those outside the school day, are required of all students enrolled.

PREREQUISITE:

Prior training in performance on a stringed instrument (violin, viola, cello, or bass). Successful completion of String Orchestra, or permission of instructor.

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Full Year-Grades 9-12

Chamber Orchestra is the third course in sequence of the primary track within the orchestral program. Students are admitted into this class by audition. Freshman, after one semester of String Orchestra, are eligible to audition into Chamber Orchestra for the next semester. Only juniors or seniors in Chamber Orchestra are eligible to receive weighted grade credit for this course. Students interested in this option must meet all set criteria to earn the weighted grade.

Chamber Orchestra continues to develop the high school string player through classroom instruction, preparing them for more advanced level literature and performance in both smaller ensemble and small orchestra settings. This course offers the opportunity for the study and performance of standard orchestral literature, chamber music, and contemporary compositions. Development of individual musicianship is emphasized throughout the year. Attendance and participation at all scheduled performances and activities, including those outside the school day, are required of all students enrolled.

PREREQUISITE: Prior training in performance on a stringed instrument (violin, viola, cello, or bass). Audition and Permission of Instructor.

SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA

Full Year-Grades 10-12

Symphonic Orchestra is an advanced course within the orchestral program which specializes in repertoire for larger ensembles featuring full symphonic instrumentation, including wind instruments. Students must meet certain performance and rehearsal expectations and are admitted into this class by audition. Only juniors or seniors in Symphonic Orchestra are eligible to receive weighted grade credit for this course. Students interested in this option must meet all set criteria to earn the weighted grade.

Symphonic Orchestra continues to develop the high school string player through classroom instruction, preparing them for more advanced level literature and performance with an emphasis on symphonic orchestra repertoire. This course offers the opportunity for the study and performance of standard orchestral literature and more contemporary compositions. Development of individual musicianship is emphasized throughout the year. Attendance and participation at all scheduled performances and activities, including those outside the school day, are required of all students enrolled.

PREREQUISITE: Prior training in performance on a stringed instrument (violin, viola, cello, or bass). Successful completion of String Orchestra, or permission of instructor.

FRESHMAN CHOIR

Full Year--Grade 9

Freshman Choir is an introductory level ensemble at the high school. Students will work together in a choral setting to establish and refine healthy vocal techniques, broaden their foundation of music literacy, and present a product that demonstrates artistry and refinement.

PREREQUISITE: None

CONCERT CHOIR

Full Year Course - Grades 9-12

Concert Choir is a beginning to intermediate level ensemble at the high school for proficient and accomplished musicians. Students will collaborate in a choral setting to refine healthy vocal techniques, implement and increase their music literacy skills, and present a product that demonstrates artistry and refinement. Students will be provided opportunity for solo and small group practice and adjudication.

PREREQUISITE: Placement in Concert Choir is by audition only. Students must demonstrate the fundamentals of proper choral singing techniques and the ability to sight-read a piece of music of moderate difficulty. Concert Choir is intended to follow Freshman Choir and Treble Choir.

TREBLE CHOIR

Full Year Course - Grades 9-12

Treble Choir is an intermediate level ensemble at the high school for proficient and accomplished musicians. Students will collaborate in a choral setting and small groups to refine healthy vocal techniques, implement and increase their music literacy skills, and present a product that demonstrates artistry and refinement. Students will be encouraged to work on these skills independently and to prepare for solo and small group adjudication. Juniors and seniors in Treble Choir are eligible to receive weighted grade credit for this course. Students interested in this option must meet all set criteria to earn the weighted grade.

PREREQUISITE: Placement in the Treble Choir is by audition only. Students must have successfully completed Freshman Choir, or be an upperclassman who shows musical potential.

CHAMBER CHOIR

Full Year - Grades 9-12

Chamber Choir is the advanced level ensemble at the high school. Students will collaborate in a choral setting and work independently to polish healthy vocal techniques, strengthen their music literacy skills, and further demonstrate well polished artistry and refinement in rehearsal and performance. Students in this ensemble are required to audition for All-Suburban Honors Choir and participate in District Solo or Small Ensemble Festival. All performances are mandatory and will be a significant portion of the student's final grade as they are a demonstration/application of their learned skills. Juniors and seniors in Chamber Choir are eligible to receive weighted grade credit for this course. Students interested in this option must meet all set criteria to earn the weighted grade.

PREREQUISITE: Placement in Chamber Choir is by audition only. Students must demonstrate the fundamentals of proper choral singing techniques and sight-read a piece of music of moderate difficulty. Students must have MSHAA eligibility to be selected for and to remain in the Chamber Choir. “In addition, students MUST BE ENROLLED IN A SECOND MUSIC CLASS. Chamber Choir is an extension of the learning occurring in other choirs, but any musical performing ensemble will meet the requirement.

GENERAL MUSIC

Semester - Grades 9-12

General Music offers the opportunity to study music in a non-performing course. Emphasis will be on the elements of music, popular musical genres, technological innovations in music, cultural and historical connections, and simple music creation. Students will create, share, interpret, evaluate, and contextualize a variety of pieces of music and explore the role of music in our society.

PREREQUISITE: None

MUSIC THEORY

Semester - Grades 11-12

Music Theory offers music students the opportunity to gain theoretical understanding of musical analysis and compositions. It is a must for serious students wishing to pursue music in high school and beyond. The class will focus on sight reading, ear training, interval training, reading and writing music in major and minor keys, chordal analysis, and the development of skills using basic harmonic chords. Both rhythmic and harmonic dictation and composition as it relates to its historical development will be taught.

PREREQUISITE: Enrollment in a music performance course or private music study, or permission of the instructor.

BEGINNING GUITAR

Semester - Grades 9-12

Beginning Guitar is an introductory course that will provide the basic skills necessary for playing the guitar. Students will learn about basic fundamentals such as reading simple music notation and music symbols, learning strumming techniques, playing rhythmically, sight reading, understanding simple key signatures, scales and the chords associated with those scales, and developing good practice skills. Students will learn to play individually and in ensemble settings and will perform in front of their instructor and peers throughout the semester.

Regardless of prior musical experience, all students will work out of the same method book, often times at different paces. While learning to read music, students will develop better hand-eye coordination. It is a goal of this class to provide students with a means of expression that may be pursued and developed throughout their lives.

PREREQUISITE: Students must provide their own acoustic guitar for this class.

GUITAR-INDEPENDENT STUDY

Semester--Grades 11-12

This is a course for the student who wants to continue study in a specific area of music beyond the regular course offering. Such areas include guitar study for performance for jazz band, individual theory study on computer, and outside performance. This course is personalized to the need and level of the student. It is a goal of this class to provide students with a means of expression that may be pursued and developed throughout their lives.

PREREQUISITE: The student must have a private teacher and/or they must have approval of the instructor.

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY 1

Semester-Grades 9-12

In this course students will learn the ways in which technology is used to compose, create, and edit music. Students will begin with a foundation of key music concepts and basic technology skills they will then apply as they learn to compose music using software. Students will be introduced to different recording techniques to grow their capacities for producing and editing music.

PREREQUISITE: None

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY 2

Semester-Grades 9-12

In this course students will continue to expand their skills as they use technology to compose, create, and edit music. Using the skills developed in Music Technology 1, students will continue to compose music using music software. Students will also explore critical listening skills, musical notation, rhythmic dictation, and interval training, and learn how to arrange music excerpts. As students' skills advance, they will be introduced into more challenging recording techniques using a range of music technologies.

PREREQUISITE: Music Technology 1

PIANO LAB 1

Semester - Grades 9-12

Piano Lab 1 is an introductory course that will provide the basic skills necessary for playing the piano. Students will learn to read and play notes in both the treble and bass clefs, play basic scales and chords, use proper fingerings, have proper posture and hand positions, and develop good practice skills. Students will perform within the class setting. Individual attention will be given to each student's need.

Students will practice in a lab setting during class. Regardless of prior musical experience, all students will work out of the same method book. It is a goal of this class to provide students with a means of expression that may be pursued and developed throughout their lives.

PREREQUISITE: None

PIANO LAB 2

Semester - Grades 9-12

Through the study of piano, students can express themselves creatively, while the knowledge of notation and performance traditions enables them to learn new music independently throughout their lives. This course is designed for students at performance Level 2 or above and is a continuation of Piano 1. Students in the class are often permitted to work independently. They must complete standard class assignments in addition to working on musical selections of their choice.

Students may repeat this course to continue their music education. This course is not designed for students who currently take private piano lessons.

PREREQUISITE: Audition or teacher recommendation

PIANO-INDEPENDENT STUDY

Semester-Grades 11-12

This is a course for the student who wants to continue study in a specific area of music beyond the regular course offering. Such areas include piano study for competition or contest, accompanist for jazz band, concert choir or treble choir, or individual theory study on computer. This course is personalized to the need and level of the student and provides preparation for any student planning to pursue music for college-level study or in a career setting.

PREREQUISITE: The student must have a private teacher or have approval of the instructor.

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