The music department offers a variety of opportunities for all students, including bands, orchestras, choirs, and music theory. All music courses, except Voice Class, may be used to fulfill the one unit of Art/Music required for graduation. Students desiring a five-unit sequence in music must take at least three units of performance (Band, Orchestra, Choir) plus Studio Music & Music Theory II, and AP Music Theory.
0600 – Studio Music
20 weeks – 1/2 credit – Grades 9-12
Studio Music is an introductory music theory course in which students will develop skills and understanding of written music theory within a technology rich environment. Topics include notation, rhythm, scales, key signatures, intervals, chords, and melody writing. Students will also develop the necessary skills to complete projects using music software such as Garageband, Noteflight, and Audacity. Students do not need any music background in order to sign up for this course. This course is a prerequisite for Music Theory II.
0601 – MUSIC THEORY II
20 weeks – 1/2 credit – Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: 75 or higher in Studio Music or permission of instructor.
This curriculum is a continuation of the concepts from Studio Music. Students will focus on tonal harmony, both in writing and analysis. This course is required for those who want a sequence in music.
0602 – MUSIC THEORY III – AP
40 weeks – 1 credit – Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Music Theory II or permission of instructor.
This course offers additional instruction that prepares students to take the AP Music Theory exam in May. A large component of this class is ear training and sight singing.
0627 – SYMPHONIC BAND
40 weeks – 1 credit – Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: Permission of the Director.
This is the course for 9th grade students who have participated in the middle school band program or who can demonstrate reasonable proficiency on a band instrument. The Symphonic Band consists of all wind (woodwind and brass) and percussion instruments. The band performs a wide selection of musical compositions throughout the year. In-school instrumental lessons are required as a part of this program. Wind and percussion players in String Orchestra are selected from Symphonic Band. Membership in Concert Band, Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble is required to participate in Jazz Band or Jazz Ensemble (excluding guitar, piano and bass). Wind Ensemble and Concert Band members may also take Symphonic Band.
0610 – CONCERT BAND
40 weeks – 1 credit – Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Permission of the Director.
This is the course for students in grade 10-12 who have participated in Symphonic Band. The Concert Band consists of all wind (woodwind and brass) and percussion instruments. The band performs a wide selection of musical compositions throughout the year. In-school instrumental lessons are required as a part of this program. Wind and percussion players in Concert Orchestra are selected from Concert Band. Membership in Concert Band, Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble is required to participate in Jazz Band or Jazz Ensemble (excluding guitar, piano and bass). Wind Ensemble members may also take Concert Band.
0612 – WIND ENSEMBLE
40 weeks – 1 credit – Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: Audition and Permission of the Director.
The Wind Ensemble, which meets daily, is a select group of wind, brass, and percussion players whose membership is determined by an audition. The audition takes place in March of each year. Students not selected for the Wind Ensemble take Concert Band or Symphonic Band. In-school instrumental lessons are required as a part of the Wind Ensemble program. The Wind Ensemble performs a wide selection of musical compositions throughout the year. Wind and percussion players in Symphony Orchestra are selected from Wind Ensemble. Membership in Concert Band, Symphonic Band, or Wind Ensemble is required to participate in Jazz Band or Jazz Ensemble (guitar, piano and bass excluded). Wind Ensemble members may also take Concert Band or Symphonic Band. This course is not available alternate days.
0629 – STRING ORCHESTRA
40 weeks – 1 credit – Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: Permission of the Director.
String Orchestra meets daily and performs many types of music, including classical and popular, throughout the year. In-school instrumental lessons are required as a part of this program. Membership in String Orchestra, Concert Orchestra or Symphony Orchestra is required to be a member of Chamber Orchestra. All ninth grade string players will be placed in String Orchestra. Symphony Orchestra and Concert Orchestra members may also take String Orchestra. Bass players interested in Jazz Band or Jazz Ensemble must be members of String Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, or Symphony Orchestra.
0630 – CONCERT ORCHESTRA: Strings
40 weeks – 1 credit – Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Permission of the Director.
Concert Orchestra Strings meet daily and may be joined by the Winds, Brass and Percussion twice a week to form a full orchestra. The orchestra performs many types of music, including classical and popular, throughout the year. In-school instrumental lessons are required as a part of this program. Membership in String Orchestra, Concert Orchestra or Symphony Orchestra is required to be a member of Chamber Orchestra. Symphony Orchestra members may also take Concert Orchestra. Bass players interested in Jazz Band or Jazz Ensemble must be members of String Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, or Symphony Orchestra.
0632 – SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Strings
40 weeks – 1 credit – Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Audition and Permission of the Director.
The Symphony Orchestra, which meets daily, is a select group of string players. They are joined by the Winds, Brass, and Percussion to form a full orchestra. Membership is determined by audition. The audition typically takes place in March each year. Students not selected for Symphony Orchestra will take Concert Orchestra. Symphony Orchestra performs a variety of music throughout the year. In-school instrumental lessons are required as part of this program. Students must be enrolled in String or Concert Orchestra at the time of auditioning for Symphony Orchestra. Membership in String Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, or Symphony Orchestra is required to audition for Chamber Orchestra. Bass players interested in Jazz Band or Jazz Ensemble must be members of String Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, or Symphony Orchestra. This course is not available alternate days.
0634 – CONCERT CHOIR
40 weeks – 1/2 credit – Grades 9-12
Alternate days
Those who love to sing should sign up for Concert Choir. Rehearsals emphasize vocal techniques, sight reading and a general study of choral music as an art form. Students will learn how to breathe to create a better, healthier sound. Students must be enrolled in a curricular choir in order to audition for Swing and/or A Cappella Choir.
0635 – VOICE CLASS
40 weeks – 1/2 credit – Grades 9-12
Alternate days
In this course, vocal techniques and solo literature are studied. Broadway, Classical, Jazz and Pop solos are included in the repertoire.
0639 – CHORALE
40 weeks – 1 credit – Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Audition and permission of the Director.
The Chorale, which meets daily, is a select group of vocalists whose membership is determined by audition, which typically takes place in March. Chorale performs a variety of music from Baroque to Modern. Students learn the concepts of blend, ear training and good vocal technique. Students are required to sight sing every day. Students must be enrolled in a curricular choir in order to audition for Swing 16 and/or A Cappella Choir. This course is not available alternate days.