Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation (audition).
Concert Choir is a mixed choral ensemble. A variety of musical styles and periods will be rehearsed, discussed and performed, and students will also work on vocal technique, basic theory, singing in various languages and performing several a cappella pieces to practice proper intonation. Dress rehearsals, all performances and concert dress are required. This course may be repeated.
Prerequisite: One year of playing experience on selected instrument.
Jazz Band is a performing ensemble organized to study the various styles of jazz music; including, but not limited to, big band swing, pop, funk/rock, ballads, and blues. We will use our talent to provide service to our school community and strive to foster pride in our school in conjunction with other performing ensembles. The class meets Tuesday through Thursday during zero hour. Students who earn an A (90% or higher) in this class may elect to drop their grade from their GPA calculation. This course may be repeated.
» This class meets before school three days a week, from 7:00 to 7:40am.
This course is open to students who want to learn percussion basics and perform in a drumline. Students will learn the proper playing technique and music reading skills necessary to perform on a variety of percussion instruments. Students will gain an appreciation for working in an ensemble of their peers, a deep understanding of musical concepts, and the life-skills performing in an ensemble requires. This course may be repeated.
This course is open to all students who currently play a traditional band or orchestra instrument, or who would like to learn one of these instruments. In this class, the students will receive guidance in techniques for producing proper tone, pitch, rhythm, posture, dynamics, and performance at the beginning levels. Students will develop a great appreciation and deep understanding of music, how it is created, and how to perform. Students will also learn the life skills that come with being an ensemble member. This course is designed for beginning students, 9th and 10th grade students, and students with one or less years of experience on their instrument. This course may be repeated.
Guitar I is an introductory class that will allow students to develop fundamental skills on the guitar. Students will learn to play basic chords, scales, strumming, picking, reading tabs, and basic music theory/reading. Many styles of music will be used in this class, as well as many different approaches to learning an instrument.
Prerequisite: Guitar I or instructor permission.
Guitar 2 will build on the fundamentals learned in Guitar 1. More advanced chords, strumming patterns and picking will be learned. Students’ knowledge of music reading will deepen with the addition of tablature (tabs). Students will not only learn many styles of music, they will have a chance to use their guitar knowledge to explore music of their own choosing.
Prerequisite: One year of playing experience on selected instrument.
The orchestra class is open to students who currently play violin, viola, cello, or double bass. In this class, the students will receive guidance in techniques for producing proper tone, pitch, rhythm, posture, dynamics, and performance at different levels. This course may be repeated.
Music Technology and Production will teach students how to create digital music from scratch using GarageBand. Students will gain a basic understanding of rhythm, tonality, form, and other music theory concepts. Students will understand how to listen and analyze different songs/genres. A greater appreciation for all music will be developed in this class as well as the introductory skills to how to create their own music.
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation – Students should be able to read and write musical notation and have basic performance skills with voice or an instrument.
AP Music Theory can be taken by any student who currently reads music at an intermediate level. This class is the equivalent of the first semester of music theory for any music major at a college or university. Students who are on the Music Scholar track should take this course. Students cultivate their understanding of music theory through analyzing performed and notated music as they explore concepts like pitch, rhythm, form, and musical design. Open to grades 11-12.
» A fee is charged for the AP exam.
This course is open to students who have played in band or orchestra for at least two (2) years or have three (3) or more years of private lesson experience on their instruments. In this class, the students will receive guidance in creating a balanced and blended ensemble sound. Students will play intermediate to late-intermediate repertoire with a commitment to excellence. Students will also learn the life skills that come with being an ensemble member. This course is designed for intermediate students, 11th and 12th grade students, and younger students who have auditioned. This course may be repeated.
Anna Bosler Santeiu – Ex. 2289
