Band

Freshmen Band I & II (9)

7402/7403

Students rehearse and perform band music in a variety of styles at three annual concerts. Concerts are held outside of the school day and attendance is required. Students are expected to attend three small group lessons a semester and practice their instrument outside of class, They are encouraged to participate in Marching Band and expected to attend five winter pep band events. 

Concert Band I & II (10-12)

7808/7809

Students rehearse and perform a variety of wind band repertoire. The concert band performs at concerts, contests and festivals throughout the year. Attendance is required for all performances. Students are expected to attend bi-weekly small group lessons and practice their instrument outside of class, they are encouraged to participate in marching band and expected to attend five winter pep band events. This ensemble tours every fourth year. 

Wind Ensemble I & II (10-12)

7701/7702

Prerequisite: Audition by instructor

This is Cooper’s select ensemble and it performs at numerous concerts, contests, and festivals. Attendance at all performances is mandatory. This group is dedicated to the fine performance of quality wind band repertoire. The ensemble tours every year in the Spring. Students are expected to attend bi-weekly small group lessons, practice their instrument outside of class, participate in Marching Band and attend five winter pep band events. Select members have an opportunity to perform orchestral literature with the Cooper Symphony Orchestra. 

Guitar Music Cafe (9-12)
7746

This course is open to all students at Cooper High School. No past musical experience is required for this course.  Students will study and perform African drumming and other World music. Students will study music from America that may include: acoustic guitar, film music, Jazz and Blues, Rock and Roll, Native American flute, and others. 

AP Music Theory (11-12)

Prerequisite: Participation in your discipline's ensemble (band, choir, or orchestra)

Students learn to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music. You’ll develop skills by listening to, reading, writing, and performing a wide variety of music.

Topics of study include: pitch, rhythm, time signatures, key signatures, scales, triads, seventh chords, cadences, chord progressions, embellishments, melodic devices, modes, and form.

Skills taught include: (1) Identifying features of pitch, interval, scales and keys, chords, meter, rhythm, and other musical concepts in performed and notated music, (2) Singing a notated melody on sight, (3) Notating music that you hear, (4) Completing music based on cues, following common-practice style.