Music Courses

To read a course description, scroll over the course title.

NOTE: Because performing vocal and instrumental music courses have activities that are after school hours and on weekends,
attendance at performances and rehearsals is the major factor in determining the student's grade.

Grades: 9-12 (Full Year)
Prerequisite: Previous Band Experience

Band is open to any student with previous band experience (middle school band, concert band, or wind ensemble). The band takes on many different looks, style sand activities throughout the year. Marching band and concert band are all required units of the band class. After school and community commitments are high and require a lot of extra time and effort. Band instruments will not be provided by the band department. (They must be purchased by the individual.) Exceptions include large brass, large woodwind, and large percussion instruments.

Rehearsals for the Marching Band start immediately following the end of the second semester of the current school year. Rehearsals continue throughout the summer and include a band camp. Performances in the summer include possible parades and marching band contests. Students are strongly encouraged to attend all summer rehearsals unless they are with their parents on a vacation. Marching band is a unit of study within the course of study for band and is required for all bandsmen excepting those students excused for physical disability. All students are strongly encouraged to attend band camp because that is where the fall competition marching show is taught. Students needing financial assistance for band camp should contact the Band Director. Fall performances include 2-3 parades, 3-6 marching band contests, and all home varsity football games.

This unit of the class begins immediately following the completion of the marching season. The band will present many concerts throughout the school year and will attend a concert band contest in the spring. Concert and contest participation is required.

Grades: 9-12 (One-half fall semester) (0.5 credit)
Prerequisite: Audition

Students are selected for Color Guard in the spring and will participate with the Marching Band throughout marching season. After marching season is completed, students are placed in study hall unless they remain in band to play an instrument.

Grades: 9-12 (Full Year)
Prerequisite: Spring Audition

The primary function of the jazz ensemble is the study and performing of traditional and modern jazz genres. Scales and improvisions are also studied. Concert and contest participation is required.

Grades: 9-12 (Full Year)
Prerequisite: Spring Audition

This is the beginning class for jazz band studies. Students will study and perform traditional and modern jazz. Concert and contest participation is required.

Grades: 9-12 (Full Year)
Prerequisite: Grade 9-11 None. Grade 12 current band enrollment.

This is a beginning band for high school students. It is open to all 9-11 grade students who want to learn to play a band instrument or another band instrument. It is open to 12th grade students who are currently in the band program and want to learn to play another band instrument. The goal of the class is to learn to play a band instrument and participate in the high school band program. Band instruments will not be provided by the band department. (They must be purchased by the individual.) Exceptions include large brass, large woodwind, and large percussion instruments.

Grades: 9-12 (Full Year)
Prerequisite: Current band enrollment and by audition or invitation of the instructor.

The Wind Ensemble is made up of the advanced concert performers of the band department. Required performances include concerts and contests. Participation in such activities is part of the required grading process for the class. Membership in the Wind Ensemble should be the goal of every band student. The requirements are the same as for Intermediate Band.

Grades: 9.5-12 (1 Semester)
Prerequisite: Interview and recommendation by music, drama, or technology staff.

Related arts is designed to allow the students to become familiar with the auditorium equipment and to learn the skills necessary for presentations and programs. All aspects of the stage, crafts, and business will be presented during the class. Lighting techniques, maintenance, set construction, safety, special effects design, ticket management, graphic arts and publicity, and business management will be part of the course. Students will be required to attend performances to demonstrate their skills as part of their grade.

Grades: 9-12 (Full Year)
Prerequisite: None

This choir is open to all students in grades 9-12. This group performs pop and concert style music. Vocal technique, note reading, and musicianship are stressed. Costumes are required and must be purchased by the student.

Grades: 9-12 (Full Year)
Prerequisite: None

Grades: 9-12 (Full Year)
Prerequisite: Audition

This group is open to all students in grades 9-12. This group performs more difficult concert and pop music with some show choir training (dance). There are some after school and community commitments that require extra time and effort. Participation in such activities is a part of the required grading process for the class. Costumes are required for performances and must be purchased by the students. The students will be charged a rental fee for other costumes, props, and accessories. Financial assistance is available to students through the Choir Boosters.

Grades: 9-12 (Full Year)
Prerequisite: None

This group performs more difficult concert and pop music with emphasis on show choir (dance). There are some after school and community commitments that require extra time and effort. Participation in such activities are a part of the required grading process for the class. Costumes are required for performances and must be purchased by the students. The students will be charged a rental fee for other costumes, props, and accessories. Financial assistance is available to students through the Choir Boosters.

Grades: 9-12 (Full Year)
Prerequisite: Audition

This is a select group of talented singers and dancers performing show choir, pop, and difficult concert music. After school and community commitments are high and require a lot of extra time and effort. Participation in such activities is a part of the required grading process for the class. Costumes are required for performances and must be purchased by the students. The students will be charged a rental fee for other costumes, props, and accessories. Financial assistance is available to students through the Choir Boosters. Contact the choir director for additional information.

Grades: 9-12 (1 Semester)
Prerequisite: None

The basic high school course of music theory includes written and aural units. The written units include the construction of major and minor scales, intervals, and chords of various types. In the aural units, the students learn how to write simple rhythmic patterns, melodies, and chords by ear-training.