2007 logo for Penguin Records.

2023 Logo for Penguin Records

This Class is one that we have been working to get on the books for many years and it finally happened. 

     The Non-Traditional Ensembles class is just that. Not the traditional band, choir, marching band, jazz band, jazz choir, etc. You come to this class with a desire and we will do our level best to put you on stage, in a recording session, and a music video during the year.

     If you have a Mariachi band, or most of those parts, and want to get graduation and "F" credit then come over and let's get  you credit while doing something you love. The only ensembles that we can not currently do are those that we don't have instruments for (steel drum, orchestra, etc.). But we can figure it out.

Scope – This is an educational class. You will learn many things that the State requires you to learn AND many things that are about how to function in a ‘real world’ atmosphere within the confines of the music industry. 

We Will:

Produce viable musicians –  You will either have you bring your own ensemble, we will make an ensemble that you become a part of, and/or both. You will get to step into a performance situation for at least two performances during the school year. You will also get to record a song (we will determine what that song might be) and possibly make a music video of that song. You, the  players, will learn your instrument(s) to a near professional level. You will learn about other instruments and how they interact with one another to create a functional, and repeatable, ensemble for performance and/or recording purposes.

Learn Music Fundamentals - You will learn the basics of music: Names and functions of notes and note types, chord symbols and their functions, Time Signatures and how they work, Key signatures - how they work, why choose one over another, Tempos, and a few more things.

Learn Songwriting - You will learn the basics of songwriting. What patterns work in which genre. Standard patterns for your particular genre and several others (12 bar blues, AABACAB, etc.). You will also begin to learn about writing lyrics that work (and why they do/don't), learn what fake rhymes are, why you don't want to use cliche type lyrics.  Yes, you will write at least one song as part of your final project in the class.

Some of you have an idea. Great! 

Learn the process of recording - You will learn about how a studio works, what many of the moving parts are, how to behave, what you can and can't do, how the different mics work in that particular setting, signal flow, and more. Yes, you will record at least one song as part of your final project in the class.

Learn the process of music video writing - Along with the students in the TV Production class you will learn to write a music video (for the song that you wrote) and then learn how to go about producing that video as part of your final project in the class.

Learn the basics of performance techniques - You will learn what it is that the current, on label, ensembles of your chosen genre do in live performances. Their music videos, concert performances, etc. You will learn what it is that the professionals need to do to meet the industry norms for a particular genre.

Work Ethic - For all personnel involved, work ethic will need to be of the highest caliber. Knowing that there will be a need for down time, on occasion, there will be little in the way of leniency for students that have a lackadaisical attitude towards the work of the day/week/project/etc.

     All students are required to give 110% of their time and effort to making their project viable in the market place. This means that you will be required to work through any and all issues that face you in the course of your duties for any given project.  

Should anyone decide that they do not wish to participate in a given project they will be removed from the class (fired from the job).

First Annual Small Ensemble Concert

The first annual small ensemble concert was on February 23, 2023 at 7pm in the Cafeteria (called the Performaing Arts Pavillion minor).

There were the following ensembles that played to a full house:

Guitar Trio
Flute Ensemble
Clarinet Ensemble
Saxophone Trio
Brass Ensemble
Percussion Duet
Non-Traditional Ensemble

Here are a few pictures of the group performing.