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ACTING: 1704
Prerequisite: Introduction to Theater or consent of instructor.
Grades 10-12
This course centers on the basic skills of acting. It includes the actor's internal preparation for playing a role and the development of his or her external techniques for projecting the role to the audience. Diction, body movement, pantomime and creative exercises in the use of imagination and improvisational activities are included. Projects include presentation of one-act plays. Memorization of scene work is an expectation of this class.
Major Course Goals: The student will experience and explore various techniques used to create characters for the stage.
INTRODUCTION TO THEATER: Theater Production 1, 2: 1746
Grades 9-12
Students examine all aspects of theater arts. They learn about theater history and study the particulars of play production: acting, costuming, set construction, properties, make-up, sound, lights and publicity. They read and discuss plays; they evaluate live and filmed performances. This course is designed to give students a basic understanding of theater that is useful in enjoying theater both as a leisure-time activity and as a potential career.
Major Course Goals: The student will gain understanding and experience in all aspects of theater including performance, technical skills and evaluation.
Armstrong Music Department
All students are welcome in the Armstrong Music Department, regardless of prior experience. Interested students are encouraged to participate in multiple vocal and instrumental ensembles. In case of schedule conflicts, please consult with ensemble directors.
MUSIC CAFÉ: 7746
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: None
This course is open to all students at Armstrong High School in grades 10 through 12. No past musical experience is required for this course. Registration may be limited. During the first half of the class, students will study and perform African drumming and other world music. The second half of the course features the following aspects of American music: acoustic guitar performance, Native American flute performance, film music study, and history of jazz and rock. Throughout this course we will examine different music career options available in today's society.
Introduction to Instrumental Music 7458
Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: None
This course is open to all students at Armstrong High School in all grades. No past musical experience is required for this course. Registration may be limited. Students in this course will be exposed to a variety of musical instruments: piano, guitar, strings, woodwinds, brass, & percussion. The first month of the course will be spent exploring: students will learn the basics of one or more instruments from each of the categories listed above. After the first month of the semester, students will choose one instrument with which to specialize. They will spend remaining time working individually in a directed study format. Upon completion of the course, students who have studied instruments that fit with the AHS Band or Orchestra program will be prepared to join one of the performing ensembles.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS CHOIRS
The Armstrong Choirs are open to all students in grades 9-12. Each level of choir prioritizes music reading, skill development and vocal technique. All ensembles perform high quality, balanced repertoire (sacred/secular, accompanied/acapella, historic/contemporary/global). Attendance is required for daily work, special rehearsals and all performances which may occur during and outside of the school day. Specific performance attire is required for each ensemble. Participation in the Armstrong Choirs demands quality teamwork and a high level of individual contribution to meet performance goals.
FRESHMAN CHOIR I & II: 7400/ 7401
Grade 9
Prerequisite: None
Membership is restricted to 9th grade singers. Classes are divided into two sections. The choirs meet every day and perform in the Winter and Spring Concerts. Attendance is required for assigned performances. Participation is anticipated for both consecutive semesters during Freshman year.
VARSITY VIVACE CHOIR I & II: 7740/ 7741
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: None
Vivace is a non-auditioned Soprano/Alto ensemble. The choir meets every day and performs in the Winter and Spring Concert, Legacy Concert, and Region 6AA/NWSC events. Attendance is required for assigned performances and choir activities. Participation is anticipated for both consecutive semesters.
VARSITY VOLO CHOIR I & II:7742/ 7743
Grades 10-12
Volo is a non-auditioned Tenor/Bass ensemble. The choir meets every day and performs in the Winter and Spring Concert, Legacy Concert, and Region 6AA/NWSC events. Attendance is required for assigned performances and choir activities. Participation is anticipated for both consecutive semesters.
CONCERT CHOIR I & II: 7806/ 7807
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Audition
Members are required to audition. They are chosen for advanced musicianship, vocal ability and high quality workmanship. Members are required to participate in all public concerts, music contests and festivals, and performance tours.
CANTORI I & II: 7844/ 7845
Grade 11-12
Prerequisite: Audition
Members are required to audition. They are chosen for advanced musicianship, vocal ability, and high quality workmanship. Members are required to participate in all public concerts, music contests and festivals, and performance tours.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS BAND
The Armstrong Bands are open to all students in grades 9-12. Each level of band prioritizes music reading, skill development and instrumental technique. All ensembles perform high quality, balanced repertoire covering a variety of styles and difficulty levels. Attendance is required for daily work, special rehearsals and all performances which may occur during and outside of the school day, including formal Concerts and Pep Band performances. Specific performance attire is required for each ensemble. Participation in the Armstrong Bands demands quality teamwork and a high level of individual contribution to meet performance goals.
FRESHMAN BAND I & II: 7402/7403
Grade 9
Prerequisite: Previous instrumental music experience or permission of instructor
Members are made up of ninth grade students, the group meets every day and performs in three Formal Concerts (October, December, May), Pep Band Games (January & February) and at Graduation (June). Additional performances may be added upon availability. Attendance is required at assigned performances. Marching Band and Jazz II are optional, but students are strongly encouraged to participate. Marching Band sign-ups take place in the Spring and we begin three weeks before the school year starts. Jazz II sign-ups take place in October.
CONCERT BAND I & II:7808/7809
Grade 10-12
Prerequisite: Previous instrumental music experience or permission of instructor
Members are made up of 10-12th grade students, the group meets every day and performs in three Formal Concerts (October, December, May), Pep Band Games (January & February) and at Graduation (June). Additional performances may be added upon availability. Attendance is required at assigned performances. Marching Band and Jazz II are optional, but students are strongly encouraged to participate. Marching Band sign-ups take place in the Spring and we begin three weeks before the school year starts. Jazz II sign-ups take place in October.
SYMPHONIC WIND ENSEMBLE I & II: 7701/ 7702
Grades 11-12th (10th Grade on an as-needed basis)
Prerequisite: Audition
Members are made up of the 11-12th grade students (10th Grade on an as-needed basis) and are chosen for advanced musicianship in brass, woodwind or percussion and the ability to fully participate in preparing advanced band literature. The group meets every day and performs in seven Formal Large-Group Events: October-Parade of Bands Concert, November-District Music Festival at Orchestra Hall, December-Winter Concert, February-Northwest Suburban Conference Music Festival, March-All-District Band/Cooper Cooper Wind Ensemble Concert, April-Section 6AA Large-Group Contest, and May-Spring Concert. Symphonic Band also performs as individuals/small groups in April at Section 6AA Solo & Ensemble Contest and as members of the 9-12th Grade Pep Bands in January/February and combined 9-11th Grade Band at Graduation in June. Additional performances added upon availability and attendance is required at assigned performances. Members of Symphonic Band are required to participate in Marching Band in the Fall August-November. Students can participate in Jazz I and sign-ups take place in October.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS ORCHESTRA
The Armstrong Orchestras are open to all students in grades 9-12. Each level of Orchestra prioritizes music reading, skill development and instrumental technique. All ensembles perform high quality, balanced repertoire. Attendance is required for daily work, special rehearsals and all performances which may occur during and outside of the school day. Specific performance attire is required for each ensemble. Participation in the Armstrong Orchestras demands quality teamwork and a high level of individual contribution to meet performance goals.
FRESHMAN ORCHESTRA I & II: 7452/ 7453
Grade 9
Prerequisite: Previous instrumental music experience or permission of instructor
Members are made up of ninth grade students, the group meets every day and performs in three concerts: a Fall Concert, a Winter Concert, and a Spring Concert. Additional performances added upon availability. In addition to daily class, students complete one lesson with the director per quarter along with a local solo-ensemble event. Attendance is required at all assigned performances.
PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA I & II:7705/7706
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Previous instrumental music experience or permission of instructor
Members are made up of 10-12th grade students and meet every day and perform in three concerts: a Fall Concert, a Winter Concert, and a Spring Concert Students are encouraged to participate in the annual Regional 6AA Orchestra Solo/Ensemble festival. Additional performances added upon availability. Students may also participate in a regional solo-ensemble event. In addition to daily class, students complete one lesson with the director per quarter.
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA I & II:7703/7704
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Audition
Members are made up of the 10-12th grade students, students are chosen based on their ability to fully participate in preparing advanced orchestral literature. The group meets every day and performs in five concerts: a Fall Concert, the District Music Festival at Orchestra Hall, a Winter Concert, a Spring Concert and the Northwest Suburban Conference Festival. Students are encouraged to participate in the annual Regional 6AA Orchestra Solo/Ensemble festival. Additional performances added upon availability. Students may also participate in a regional solo-ensemble event. In addition to daily class, students complete one lesson with the director per quarter.
AP MUSIC THEORY: 7804/7805
Grades: 11 & 12
Prerequisite: Previous musical experience
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.
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