Music

Band Program

Band

1 credit — Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

(1 period per day for 1 year-)

Note: Membership in the band program is open to any student demonstrating intermediate proficiency on a wind or percussion instrument.

Note: Students in the band program sign up for Band. Participation in band is a full year commitment and students are automatically placed into Marching Band for the beginning of the school year. After Marching Band season, students are reassigned to Symphonic or Concert Band based on auditions held near the end of the Marching Band season. New students who have a direct conflict with Friday night Marching Band performances, may request exclusion from Marching Band participation through the Director of Bands. Students who are granted exclusion from marching band performances must still meet the curricular requirements of marching band through music rehearsal, memorization, and march-ing movements during the first year.

Independent Study Band

0.5 credit — Grades 9, 10, 11

(1 period per day for 1 semester)

Independent Study for Band is designed for students who are still working toward proficiency on their band instrument with a goal of joining first period bands. Additionally, students who are changing band instruments to accommodate better instrumentation needs in first period bands and students who are working toward improving their skills on their primary band instrument are eligible for Independent Study Band.

Symphonic/Concert Band

1 credit — Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

(Begins at the end of Marching Band season - 5 periods per week for 3 quarters)

Note: Students who register for Symphonic Band/Concert Band will be placed, by audition, in either ensemble upon the conclusion of the marching band season.

Symphonic Band - Selection of students is based on advanced proficiency and balanced instrumentation. A variety of appropriate band literature is studied and performed. Rehearsals are held daily after the close of marching season. The Symphonic Band presents at least two concerts during the year and performs at various school and community functions.

Concert Band - Membership is open to students demonstrating intermediate proficiency on a band instrument. A variety of appropriate band literature is studied and performed. Rehearsals are held daily after the close of marching season. The Concert Band presents at least two concerts per year and performs at various school and community functions.

Jazz Ensemble

0.5 credit (by audition) — Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

2-3 times per week from 7–8:00 am. beginning after the conclusion of Marching Band

Membership in Jazz Ensemble is open, by audition or recommendation of the director, to musicians on the following instruments: trumpet, saxophone, trombone, guitar, bass, percussion and keyboard. Enrollment is limited by instrumentation. Music literature studied and performed includes jazz, rock, swing, pop, ballads, and fusion.

Jazz Lab

0.5 credit-by audition — Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

2-3 times per week from 7–8:00 am. beginning after the conclusion of Marching Band

Membership in Jazz Lab is open to students who are members in good standing of 1st period band. If the instrument is not taught in first period band, membership is determined by audition. Auditioned instrumentalists include percussion, guitar, bass, and keyboard. Jazz Lab focuses on learning the different fundamentals of different jazz styles and an introduction to the art of improvisation in an ensemble setting. Auditions for the rhythm section of Jazz Lab occur during late October or early November.

Orchestra Program

Chamber Orchestra

0.5 credit (by audition) — Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

(2-3 times per week 7-8:00 am for 1 year)

This orchestral ensemble is open to students by audition only. The Chamber Orchestra is an extension of Symphony and will allow advanced students to rehearse and perform music at a higher technical and musical level. Students must be members of the Symphony to participate in Chamber Orchestra. Qualified students must pass an audition and enroll through the instructor. Performances are an outgrowth of the Chamber Orchestra curriculum. Several performances and contests are scheduled each year. Participation in performances is mandatory. Registration for Chamber Orchestra is limited to the current members of Chamber Orchestra.

Concert Orchestra

1 credit (by audition) — Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

(1 period per day for 1 year)

Concert Orchestra membership is open to students by audition and teacher recommendation. Musical literature is varied and includes all styles from Baroque to Contemporary periods. Music history and music theory assignments are based on selections performed. Performances are an outgrowth of the Concert Orchestra curriculum and designed to refine performance skills in preparation for Symphony. Several performances are scheduled each year both in and out of the community. Participation in performances is mandatory. Students must complete the year with a 93% or higher to remain in the class. Registration for Concert Orchestra is limited to the current members of Chamber Orchestra.

String Orchestra

1 credit — Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

(1 period per day for 1 year)

String Orchestra is open to all students with previous experience on a stringed instrument. Emphasis will be placed on improving individual and group performance skills. This class is designed to prepare a student for membership in Concert Orchestra or Symphony. Performances are an outgrowth of the String Orchestra curriculum. Participation in performances is mandatory.

Vocal Music Program

Freshman Choir

0.5 credit — Grade 9

(3 periods per week for 1 year)

Membership is open to all freshmen students wanting to sing, regardless of ability level. The course is designed to address the beginning levels of vocal technique and musicianship. Emphasis on development of the vocal mechanism as it pertains to the adolescent voice. Appropriate vocal literature will be studied and performed. It is important to note that this course is designed to still allow freshmen a study hall at least two days a week while the vocal music director works independently with other sections of the Freshman Choir. The Freshman Choir will perform evening concerts during the year for school and community events. Additional evening rehearsals may be required. Attendance by participating members is required at all performances.

Concert Chorale

1 credit — Grades 10, 11, and 12 (women only)

(1 period per day for 1 year)

Membership is designed for grades 10 and 11. The course will address the intermediate level of vocal technique and musicianship skills. Emphasis will be placed on the development of men’s and women’s voices through quality choral literature of various styles. The Concert Chorale will perform evening concerts during the year for school and community events, as well as festivals, and district/state contests throughout the year. Additional evening rehearsals may be required. Attendance by participating members is required at all performances.

Bel Canto

(Formerly Women's Glee and Chorus)

0.5 credit — Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12

(2 days per week 7:20 to 7:55 am for 1 year)

Bel Canto membership is for all students with treble voices in grades 9-12. The course is designed to address multiple levels of vocal technique and musicianship. This course is a great answer for students whose schedule is completely full but still want to be involved in a singing ensemble. The course meets 2 days a week before school (0 hour). This also enables members of the orchestra and band departments to be involved in choral music. This all-inclusive course requires no audition for entry and emphasizes the development of treble voices through quality choral literature of various styles. Bel Canto performs on all Choral Department concerts as well as off campus events throughout the year. Occasional evening rehearsals may be required. Attendance is required at all performances.

Camerata

(Formerly Men's Glee and Chorus)

0.5 credit — Grades 9, 10, 11 & 12

(2 days per week 7:20 to 7:55 am for 1 year)

Camerata is a tenor/bass vocal ensemble and membership is open to all students in grades 9-12. The course is designed to address multiple levels of vocal technique and musicianship. This course is a great answer for students whose schedule is completely full but still want to be involved in a singing ensemble. The course meets 2 days a week before school (0 hour). This also enables members of the orchestra and band departments to be involved in choral music. This all-inclusive course requires no audition for entry and emphasizes the development of tenor, baritone, and bass voices through quality choral literature of various styles. Camerata performs on all Choral Department concerts as well as festivals and district & state adjudicated events throughout the year. Occasional evening rehearsals may be required. Attendance is required at all performances.

Symphonic Choir

1 credit — Grades 10 (men only), 11 and 12 (men and women)

(1 period per day for 1 year)

Prerequisite: 1 year of high school music or equivalent as determined by the director. Symphonic Choir is open to all 11th and 12th grade students after completing a simple voice placement test. The course is designed to improve the individual’s vocal technique and build upon an intermediate to advanced musicianship level. Quality choral literature for SATB, TTBB, and SSAA will be studied and rehearsed. The choir performs evening concerts during the year for school and community events, as well as festivals, and district/state contests throughout the year. Additional evening rehearsals are required. Attendance by participating members is required at all performances.

Vocal Ensemble

1 credit — grades 10, 11, 12

(1 period per day for 1 year)

Prerequisite: 1 year (2 years preferred) of high school choral music or equivalent as determined by the director.

Membership is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors by audition only. The Vocal Ensemble is an extension of Symphonic Choir and will allow advanced vocal students to rehearse and perform music at a higher technical and artistic level. Quality a cappella music of various styles will be studied. Members must have the ability to sing alone and yet blend with the ensemble. Several programs throughout the year will require the participant to dance as well as sing. The Vocal Ensemble performs evening concerts during the year for school and community events, as well as festivals and district/state contests throughout the year. Additional evening rehearsals are required. Attendance by participating members is required at all performances.