Course Descriptions

Course Descriptions – All courses meet everyday!

Period 0 - Jazz Ensemble

The award winning jazz ensemble meets everyday 7:00 – 7:50am. This course requires director approval, a successful audition, concurrent enrollment in one of the regular class periods (periods: 1, 2, 3, 5, or 6), and at least one year of successful ensemble playing experience. Students will learn how to play and perform in styles not commonly taught or performed in the regular band and orchestra setting. Students in Jazz Ensemble will be involved in at least one on campus concert per semester, and aims to attend at least two competitions during the spring semester.

Period 1 & Period 4 - Advanced Band

The Advanced Band is a select band requiring director approval, and a successful audition. Students will continue to learn the fundamentals of performing together in a band setting accomplished through the development and refinement of high-level ensemble skills and more challenging literature. In addition, students in the advanced band will be exposed to more technique and skill training to prepare for more challenging literature and tasks at the high school level. Students in Advanced Band will be involved in at least one on campus concert per semester, and aims to attend at least two festivals or competitions in the spring semester. Note well: This is a select course of some of the most advanced band students making this class highly competitive for acceptance. Not everyone makes it into this course and that is normal. Only in rare circumstances or exceptions such as a schedule conflict will students be in advanced band.

Period 2 - Advanced Orchestra

The Advanced Orchestra is a select strings only class requiring director approval, and a successful audition. Students will continue to learn the fundamentals of performing together in a string orchestra setting accomplished through the development and refinement of high-level ensemble skills and more challenging literature. In addition, students in the advanced orchestra will be exposed to more technique and skill training to prepare for more challenging literature and tasks at the high school level. The advanced orchestra will perform in one on campus concert per semester and aims to attend at least two festivals or competitions in the spring semester.

Period 5 - Beginning Orchestra

The Beginning Orchestra is for students with very little to zero ensemble experience on a string instrument. Instruments offered are, violin, viola, cello, and bass. Beginning Orchestra students will learn the basics of the instrument chosen or assigned, and they will learn how to play together as one group. With successful completion of the beginning orchestra class, and a successful audition interested students are promoted to Advanced Orchestra the following year. The beginning orchestra will perform one time per semester. Depending on the ability of the group and fundraising, the Beginning Orchestra could participate in one festival.

Period 6 - Beginning Band

The Beginning Band is for students with very little to zero ensemble experience on a band instrument. Instruments offered are, flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion. Beginning Band students will learn the basics of the instrument chosen or assigned and they will learn how to play together as one group. With successful completion of the beginning band class, interested students are promoted to Intermediate Band the following year. Depending on availability and space, interested students can be promoted to advanced band after a successful audition. The beginning band will perform one time per semester. Depending on the ability of the group and fundraising, the Beginning Band could participate in one festival.