9th, 10th, 11th or 12th Grade
Semester Long Course
This class focuses on all the elements involved in play production. Emphasis is made on acting such as improvisation, memorizing, use of body and voice, characterization, as well as set construction, lighting design, costuming and makeup, stage managing, and directing. Active participation and daily attendance is essential in earning credit for this class.
9th, 10th, 11th or 12th Grade
Semester or Year Long Course
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Drama
This class provides a more “in-depth” experience to all the elements involved in Drama. Students will learn techniques used for playing diverse roles, auditioning for plays, careers in the theater world, as well as all the backstage jobs for play production. Active participation and daily attendance is essential in earning credit for this class.
9th, 10th, 11th or 12th Grade
Year Long Course
Prerequisite: None, non-auditioned
Fees: Trip expenses and concert attire required
$40 ASB Card and Transportation Fee required
This course is designed to introduce and develop tone quality, intonation, music theory and sight reading skills. Choral literature of various forms and genres will be performed. Participation requires a commitment to performing both in class and outside of the school day. Opportunities to perform include on-campus concerts, regional festivals, outreach performances, and other events as scheduled by the West Valley High School Music Program. Students interested in Advanced Choir must first take this course.
10th, 11th, or 12th Grade
Year Long Course
Prerequisite: Concert Choir, Audition
Fees: Trip expenses and concert attire required
$40 ASB Card and Transportation Fee required
$25 per semester Instrument Usage Fee if needed
Advanced Choir is a year-long, audition-based course for students with previous choral experience. All students interested in this course must first take Concert Choir.
This course is designed to continue developing tone quality, intonation, music theory and sight reading skills, while also introducing advanced singing techniques. Choral literature of various forms and genres will be performed. Participation requires a commitment to performing both in class and outside of the school day. Opportunities to perform include on-campus concerts, regional festivals, outreach performances, and other events as scheduled by the West Valley High School Music Program.
9th, 10th, 11th or 12th Grade
Year Long Course
Prerequisite: None, non-auditioned
Fees: Trip expenses and concert attire required
$40 ASB Card and Transportation Fee required
Percussion Ensemble is a year-long course open to students of all skill levels.
This course is designed to introduce and develop all aspects of percussion performance including drums, mallets, and auxiliary instruments. Percussion Ensemble emphasizes the development of fundamental musical and performance techniques, sight reading, and music theory through specialized percussion literature. Participation requires a commitment to performing both in class and outside of the school day. Opportunities to perform include on-campus concerts, regional festivals, outreach performances, and other events as scheduled by the West Valley High School Music Program.
9th, 10th, 11th or 12th Grade
Year Long Course
Prerequisite: None, non-auditioned
Fees: Trip expenses and concert attire required
$40 ASB Card and Transportation Fee required
$25 per semester Instrument Usage Fee if needed
Symphonic Band is a year-long course open to students of all skill levels.
This course is designed to develop the fundamental skills required to play in a high school-level wind ensemble. Daily instruction will focus on musical and performance techniques, sight reading, and music theory for all woodwind and brass instruments. Students will work collaboratively to perform a variety of repertoire that builds both individual musicianship and ensemble skills. A limited amount of school instruments are available to rent for those who do not own their own. Opportunities to perform include (but are not limited to) festivals, contests, and concerts scheduled by the West Valley High School Music Program.
9th, 10th, 11th or 12th Grade
Year Long Course
Prerequisite: None, non-auditioned
Fees: Trip expenses and concert attire required
$40 ASB Card and Transportation Fee required
$25 per semester Instrument Usage Fee if needed
String Orchestra is a year-long course open to students of all skill levels.
This course is designed to develop the fundamental skills required to play in a high school-level orchestra. Daily instruction will focus on musical and performance techniques, sight reading, and music theory for violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Students will gain experience performing in a collaborative ensemble setting while exploring a variety of orchestral literature. A limited amount of school instruments are available to rent for those who do not own their own. Opportunities to perform include (but are not limited to) festivals, contests, and concerts scheduled by the West Valley High School Music Program.
9th, 10th, 11th or 12th Grade
Year Long Course
Prerequisite: Current enrollment in another music course, non-auditioned
Fees: Trip expenses and concert attire required
$40 ASB Card and Transportation Fee required
$25 per semester Instrument Usage Fee if needed
Jazz Band is an advanced ensemble dedicated to the study and performance of jazz. Students develop skills in swing, Latin, funk, and other jazz styles while deepening their knowledge of improvisation, music theory, and ensemble playing. Emphasis is placed on stylistic accuracy, listening, and improvisation. Participation requires a commitment to performing both in class and outside of the school day. Opportunities to perform include on-campus concerts, regional festivals, outreach performances, and other events as scheduled by the West Valley High School Music Program.
9th, 10th, 11th or 12th Grade
Year Long Course
Prerequisite: None
Fees: $25 Instrument Usage Fee if Needed
This course is open to ALL students, regardless of prior musical experience. Students who have previous guitar experience are also welcome to join. Acoustic guitars will be provided to students in this class, but students who own their own guitar (acoustic or electric with an amp) are welcome to use their personal instruments as well. Daily instruction will focus on beginning guitar methods, including basic music theory, chords, chord progressions, and reading standard music notation. This course will also provide opportunities for student-driven projects centered around music that interests them. Rental guitars are available for students to bring home to practice.
9th, 10th, 11th or 12th Grade
Year Long Course
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Intro to Guitar, or at least one year of guitar experience
Fees: $25 Instrument Usage Fee if Needed
This course is for students who have successfully completed Introduction to Guitar. If you think you are a good fit for this course, but have not taken Introduction to Guitar, please contact Ms. Bowmer. Acoustic guitars will be provided to students in this class, but students who own their own guitar (acoustic or electric with an amp) are welcome to use their personal instruments as well. Daily instruction will focus on advanced guitar methods, including music theory, complex chords (basic CAGED shapes, alternate voicings and 7 chords), scales (major, minor, pentatonic, and blues), and songwriting skills. This course will also provide opportunities for student-driven learning and projects centered around their preferred styles of music. Rental guitars are available for students to bring home to practice. Advanced guitar students will participate in 2-3 performances as scheduled by the West Valley High School Music Program.