• Music courses do count towards the 2.0 Arts/Humanities Credit required for graduation.

HS Course Selection Guide - MUSIC PERFORMING ENSEMBLES

  • Honors Concert Band (9, 10, 11, 12) .6 credit

    Neutrally Weighted
    Students who play band instruments have the opportunity to perform many styles of band literature from the classical to contemporary period. The development of musical knowledge, instrument performance skills, and self-discipline - while working together as a unified ensemble - are important factors of Concert Band. 
    Prerequisites: Basic command of a band instrument meeting high school curriculum requirements, and recommendation by the middle school band director.

    Honors Jazz Band (9, 10, 11, 12) .4 credit

    This ensemble specializes in advanced jazz literature and provides the more talented jazz instrumentalists an opportunity to perform advanced music in the style of influential jazz pioneers. The focus of this ensemble is to develop and refine the skills of advanced jazz performers. Music selections such as: Blues, Swing, Latin, Fusion and Rock may be included in the Jazz Band’s repertoire. A high ability level of improvisation should be demonstrated. Home practice is essential.
    Prerequisites: Experience on a primary instrument OR a recommendation from the director to play a secondary instrument.

    Accelerated Honors Wind Ensemble (9, 10, 11, 12) .6 credit

    Select students who play band instruments at a high level are provided the opportunity to perform many styles of advanced band literature from the classical and contemporary periods. Group lessons are scheduled on a rotating schedule during school hours. Various ensembles - e.g. woodwind quintet, and brass choir - provide opportunities for the more talented and interested student to explore, discover and perform different styles of music. Home practice is essential.

    Accelerated Honors Jazz Band (9, 10, 11, 12) .4 credit

    Neutrally Weighted
    This ensemble specializes in advanced jazz literature and provides the more talented jazz instrumentalists an opportunity to perform advanced music in the style of influential jazz pioneers.  The focus of this ensemble is to develop and refine the skills of advanced jazz performers.  Music selection such as: Blues, Swing, Latin, Fusion, and Rock may be included in the Jazz Band repertoire.  A high ability level of improvisation should be demonstrated. 
    Prerequisites: High command of a jazz band instrument, meeting curriculum requirements, and successful audition by the director and appropriate instrumentation for Jazz Ensemble Music (one person on a part). Student must participate in Honors Concert Band or Advanced Honors Wind Ensemble to be considered. (Exceptions include piano, guitar, or bass players.)

    Honors String Orchestra (9, 10, 11, 12) .6 credit

    Neutrally Weighted
    Open to string students who demonstrate a reasonable proficiency on their instrument, students enhance their technical and listening skills and learn the importance of teamwork. Small Group Instruction (SGI) is required and scheduled on a rotating basis. Home practice is essential.
    Prerequisites: Basic command of a string instrument meeting high school curriculum requirements, and recommendation by the middle school orchestra director.

    Accelerated Honors Chamber Orchestra (9, 10, 11, 12) .4 credit

    This ensemble prepares and performs advanced repertoire with emphasis placed on individual musicianship. Students are presented with the opportunity to study varied genres of musical literature at an accelerated level. Small Group Instruction (SGI) attendance, on a rotating basis during school hours, is expected. Home practice is essential.
    Prerequisite: Students must participate in String Orchestra. High command of their respective instrument and high school curriculum are required. Eligibility is determined by audition with the orchestra director.

    Honors Concert Choir (9, 10, 11, 12) .6 credit

    Concert Choir performs standard choral literature with instructional emphasis placed on the classics. Students are selected by audition in the spring. Participation in the winter and spring concerts is required.
    Students are encouraged to audition for District Chorus and the Spring Musical. Small Group Instruction (SGI) is scheduled on a rotating basis during the school day.
    Prerequisites: Freshmen are required to have a recommendation from the Middle School Choral Director. All students must have a successful audition with the High School Choral Director.

    Accelerated Honors Chamber Choir (10, 11, 12) .4 credit

    Chamber Choir specializes in the performance of a cappella music, music for small ensembles, advanced choral literature, and music which suggests staging. Besides participating in annual concerts, this choir frequently performs at community events. Students are encouraged to audition for District Chorus and the school Musical. Rehearsals for these activities are scheduled after school. Group lessons are scheduled on a rotating basis during the school day. This group is chosen by audition from advanced singers in Concert Choir.
    Prerequisites: Students must participate in Concert Choir Honors. Students must have a successful audition with the High School Choral Director.

    Ensemble Options* (9, 10, 11, 12) Variable credit

    Designed for students who want to take a specific choir class for partial credit due to scheduling conflicts. Students must choose the choir in which they wish to enroll and receive the permission of BOTH the choral director and their guidance counselor. This is NOT an independent study arrangement. Credit is determined on the number of days per week the student is enrolled in class.
    *Since this course is based on availability and room within a student’s schedule, this course may be selected only after the school year begins.

HS Course Selection Guide - MUSIC CURRICULAR MUSIC CLASSES

  • Guitar (9, 10, 11, 12) .5 credit/semester course

    Neutrally Weighted
    Students will explore their love of music through the guitar while enhancing their ability to access styles of music not always found in the traditional band, chorus or orchestra ensembles, such as pop or rock. Objectives include exploring the fundamentals of guitar performance, reading traditional notation, tablature and chord charts, playing individually as well as in groups, understanding the musical concepts of melody, harmony, rhythm, and form and to develop a deeper appreciation for all styles
    of music.

    Musical Keyboard  (9, 10, 11, 12) .5 credit/semester course

    Neutrally Weighted
    This semester course provides beginning instruction on the electronic piano keyboard in a laboratory setting. An independent study approach is used to allow each student to proceed at his/her own pace. Additional practice on keyboard instruments at home or in school is encouraged. This course is a pre-requisite for AP Music Theory, where students have the opportunity to earn college credit.

    Music Theory & Composition 1 (9, 10, 11, 12) .5 credit

    Neutrally Weighted
    This is a semester course that will introduce students to the basic foundations learning the basic foundations of music and music composition while developing skills in aurals, sight-singing, and musical dictation. Topics include melody, harmony, keyboarding, and part writing. A music background in vocal or instrumental study is recommended. This course is a pre-requisite for AP Music Theory, where students have the opportunity to earn college credit.

    Advanced Placement Music Theory (10, 11, 12) 1 credit

    AP Music Theory is for vocal or instrumental students who are interested in pursuing a career in music or who wish to demonstrate their advanced knowledge in the field. This course will build upon your knowledge of music, emphasizing the rules of theory and composition, ear training, sight singing, analysis and keyboard skills. Music from a variety of time periods will be studied. The AP Music Theory exam includes multiple choice questions as well as a variety of listening, performing, and analytical exercises.
    Prerequisites: Successful completion of Musical Keyboard I and Music Theory and Composition I OR music teacher recommendation.

    Vocal Broadway (10, 11, 12) .5 credit/semester course

    Neutrally Weighted
    This is an introductory class intended for students of all musical backgrounds who want to learn about and perform the song repertoire of musical theatre. Students will have the opportunity to explore their love of Broadway through the study and performance of some of the most influential composers of musicals and how their songs reflect different facets of American society. At the conclusion of the course students will participate in a cabaret style performance to share their favorite songs of Broadway. The learning objectives for this course include exploring the fundamentals of performance, composer history of American Musical Theatre, repertoire per voice part, singing and styles of repertoire, audition preparation and performing.

    This course will be offered every other year, beginning in Summer 2023.

    Scoring for Film and Television (11, 12) 1 Credit

    This dual enrollment summer course serves as an introduction to scoring for film and video. The three tracks of study include training on Logic to score video/film, exploring the basic techniques of film scoring and learning how to listen to music within the context of cinema. Students will listen to music in and out of the context of film to develop a palette that will serve their work in scoring. Students will also be analyzing film soundtracks that will allow them to understand different techniques and aesthetics in scoring. Students will score several short video clips.

    This course will be offered every other year, beginning in Summer 2024.

    Advanced Placement Studio Production (11, 12) 1 Credit

    This dual enrollment summer class focuses on the production of music in a studio setting. Students learn the basics of recording, editing, mixing, and mastering in a digital audio workstation. Students will be able to record instruments in a studio setting and use appropriate technologies to enhance the final product of their recordings.