Course Offerings - Grade 9

Chamber Strings - Course No.: 8207

GRADES: 9, 10, 11,12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0 Other: Extended Study Option

Chamber Strings is for advanced string students selected by previous performance as a member of Concert Orchestra or by private audition for incoming/transfer students. Chamber Strings is for musicians interested in studying and performing challenging repertoire held to a high standard of execution. Students of advanced skills will learn to improve their musicianship at an accelerated pace.
PREREQUISITE: Audition

Concert Band - Course No.: 8212

GRADES: 9 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0 OTHER: Extended Study Option

Concert Band is designed to further students’ musical development prior to advancement into Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. Music fundamentals and performance techniques are stressed. Appropriate high school literature of various styles and historical periods will be performed at school concerts. In the fall, students will have the option to perform in the Pep Band with the Wind Ensemble for home football games. (Percussion students are expected to play in the Pep Band unless they have a fall athletic conflict.) Instrumentalists may audition for participation in the Jazz Ensemble. 
PREREQUISITE: Previous band experience or placement

Concert Orchestra - Course No.: 8210

GRADES: 9 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0 OTHER: Extended Study Option

Concert Orchestra is designed to further students’ musical development prior to the advancement into Philharmonic Orchestra.  Music fundamentals and performance techniques are stressed.  Appropriate high school literature of various styles and historic periods will be performed at school concerts.  Students have the option of participating in Jazz Strings and Ensembles.
PREREQUISITE: Audition

Guitar I -  Course No.: 8203F, 8205S

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: 1 Sem CREDIT: 0.5 

Guitar I is an introductory guitar class open to students of all grades. Students will be taught the basics of acoustic guitar including note-reading, chords and tablature. Content will focus primarily on current and popular music genres including classic and current rock genres, pop, country, alternative, punk, and various additional relevant music genres. No prior experience is needed. The $25 course fee covers use of the school-supplied instrument and workbook. Students wishing to use their own guitar must have it approved by the instructor.
PREREQUISITE: None

Philharmonic Orchestra -  Course No.: 8216

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0 OTHER: Extended Study Option 

Philharmonic Orchestra is designed to further students’ musical development prior to the advancement into Chamber Strings or Symphony Orchestra. This course emphasizes the refinement of technique and interpretive skills. Appropriate high school literature of various styles and historic periods will be performed at school concerts. Students have the option of participating in Jazz Strings, Ensembles and Pit Orchestra.
PREREQUISITE: Concert Orchestra or audition

Symphonic Band - Course No.: 8240

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0 OTHER: Extended Study Option

Symphonic Band is designed for instrumentalists of advanced ability. This course emphasizes the refinement of performance techniques and interpretive skills. Moderate to difficult music of various styles and historical periods is performed in school concerts. In the fall, students will have the option to perform in the Pep Band with the Wind Ensemble for home football games. Students attend a weekly 25-minute sectional during their lunch/study hall period as their schedule permits. Select musicians are chosen for membership in the Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble.
PREREQUISITE: Previous band experience and audition

Symphony Orchestra Winds and Percussion - Course No.: 8252

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: None OTHER: Extended Study Option

Selected winds and percussion players are provided the opportunity to rehearse and perform with the Symphony Orchestra. Students meet 3 or 4 days each week opposite lunch for 25 minutes.  In order to participate in this activity, a student must be enrolled in either Symphonic Winds or Wind Ensemble. Students are required to attend all scheduled performances, including evening concerts. Students are selected primarily based on recommendation of the band directors. Students will not receive credit for this activity, nor will it be computed in the grade point average, however, it will appear on the student’s transcript.
PREREQUISITE: Membership in band and placement 

Voices in Harmony - Course No.: 8213

GRADES: Bass &Treble Voices 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0 OTHER: Extended Study Option 

This beginning/intermediate choir of mixed voices will be exposed to and perform music from many different periods of history. Continued work on vocal technique, sight-reading skills, and theory will be stressed.
PREREQUISITE: None

Wind Ensemble Honors - Course No.: 8243

GRADES:  9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0 OTHER: Extended Study Option 

Wind Ensemble Honors is designed for the most advanced wind and percussion instrumentalists.  The course emphasizes advanced performance skills, musical interpretation and techniques.  Through rehearsals, clinics and performances, students will broaden their musical repertoire with advanced literature of many styles and periods. In the fall, band members will perform as a Pep Band at three or four home football games. (Students who have conflicts with any fall athletic competitions will be excused from the Pep Band performances.) Students attend weekly sectional rehearsals during the day and concerts in the evening. In addition, students are expected to attend weekly private lessons, and participate  in solo and ensemble contest in the spring.
PREREQUISITE: Previous band experience and audition