Welcome to the Music Department!
Instrumental Course Descriptions:
Symphonic Band
Students will experience a wide variety of quality music. This will include standard classics in the band and orchestral repertoire along with some of the better examples of popular music. Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of performing groups such as concert band, pep band, marching band, and numerous small ensembles. The bands perform at concerts, festivals, football games, basketball games, wrestling matches, graduation, parades, and various school and community functions.
Jazz Ensemble
Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble. Open to all students who are in Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble. Members of the Jazz Ensemble will experience a wide variety of jazz music styles including: big band and small combo jazz, improvisation, rock, swing, ballads etc. Music from the 20's through the 90's will be studied and performed. Performances include festivals, concerts, and assemblies for elementary and junior high schools. Every member of the Jazz Ensemble is featured as soloists and many opportunities are given to double on alternate instruments. Students may enroll for any semester(s) they choose. Students will receive .50 credit of music per semester if they participate five days per week. Students who participate three days per week would receive .25 credits of music per semester. COURSE MEETS AT 7:00 AM BEFORE SCHOOL.
Marching Band
Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble.
Summer commitment required – approximately 20 summer practices in June, July & August.
Students will learn music for a field show, learn choreography, learn field movements, and have numerous performance opportunities. This is a first semester course only. Students will perform at all home football games and marching band competitions. Enrollment in this class will also include color guard and front line pit ensemble. Only students enrolled in this class will experience the marching band activities. Upon completion of the marching band season, additional ensembles will be created to expose members to percussion.
Wind Ensemble
Students in both bands will experience a wide variety of quality music. This will include standard classics in the band and orchestral repertoire along with some of the better examples of popular music. Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of performing groups such as concert band, pep band, marching band, and numerous small ensembles. The bands perform at concerts, festivals, football games, basketball games, wrestling matches, graduation, parades, and various school and community functions
Instrumental and Vocal Combination Course Descriptions:
Symphonic Band and Chorale Mixed Choir
This course is for students involved in both instrumental and vocal music. Band and choir will alternate daily throughout the school year.
Wind Ensemble and Concert Choir
This course is for students involved in both instrumental and vocal music. Band and choir will alternate daily throughout the school year.
Vocal Course Descriptions:
Chorale Mixed Choir
Mixed Choir is an entry level SATB (soprano/alto/tenor/bass) choral experience for freshmen and sophomores. The choir will perform music of all major styles, work on vocal technique, sight reading and study basic music theory. Attendance at Cabaret, four concerts, and two evening rehearsals is required.
Lorelei Treble Choir
Lorelei Treble Choir is an entry level SSA (soprano/soprano/alto) choral group. Students will prepare music of all major styles. Students will learn correct use of the female singing voice, basic vocal skills/technique, and sight reading. Attendance at Cabaret, four concerts, and two evening rehearsals is required.
Intensity Swing Choir
Prerequisites: Consent of the instructor/audition. Intensity is an advanced, auditioned SATB (soprano/alto/tenor/bass) choral experience focusing on singing, dancing, and contemporary a cappella. Students will prepare and perform music of a variety of styles and work on advanced ensemble skills. Attendance at Cabaret, four concerts, two evening rehearsals, and Solo & Ensemble is required. COURSE MEETS AT 7:00 AM BEFORE SCHOOL.
Sentinels Men's Choir
Sentinels Men’s Choir is an auditioned TTBB (tenor/tenor/baritone/bass) choral group. Students will prepare music of all major styles and continue to learn correct use of the male singing voice. Sentinels Men’s Choir will also have opportunities to perform in the community for events throughout the year. Attendance at Cabaret, four concerts, two evening rehearsals, and Solo & Ensemble is required. COURSE MEETS AT 7:00 AM BEFORE SCHOOL.
Valkyries Women's Choir
Prerequisites: Consent of the instructor/audition. Valkyries Women’s Choir is an auditioned SSA (soprano/soprano/alto) choral group. Students will prepare music of all major styles. Students will continue to learn correct use of the female singing voice. Women’s Choir will also have opportunities to perform in the community for events throughout the year. Attendance at Cabaret, four concerts, two evening rehearsals, and Solo & Ensemble is required.
Elite Vocal Jazz
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor/audition. Elite Vocal Jazz is an advanced SATB (soprano/alto/tenor/bass) choral ensemble that will focus on vocal jazz and contemporary a cappella music. Students must have a strong background in vocal music performance practice and sight reading. Other skills learned will be scat singing, straight tone, and microphone use for each individual part. Elite Vocal Jazz will also have opportunities to perform in the community for events around the holiday season and in the summer. Attendance at four concerts, two evening rehearsals, and Solo & Ensemble is required.
Concert Choir
9th and 10th grade students with instructor approval. Concert Choir is an advanced SATB (soprano/alto/tenor/bass) choral experience for 11th and 12th grade students. Students will perform music of all major styles and continue to work on vocal technique, sight reading and basic music theory. Attendance at Cabaret, four concerts, and two evening rehearsals is required.
Physical Education Credit Option: Intensity Swing Choir and/or Marching Band
Music students have the option to receive .50 credit toward their Physical Education (“PE”) requirement for graduation upon successful completion of TWO years of Marching Band and/or Intensity Swing Choir during high school. Students can only earn up to .50 credit of PE over a four-year period (equivalent to one PE course) regardless of whether they are involved in both Marching Band and Intensity Swing Choir.
All students are required to take the 9th grade PE course during their freshman year.
* The choir teacher will determine if attendance and participation requirements have been met to be eligible for the PE credit.
All students are required to take PE their freshmen year for .50 credit of PE and an additional two PE courses (.50 credit each) during their remaining three years of high school. The options for music students provides a maximum of earning .50 credit towards the PE requirement. The remaining two .5 credits would have to come from two PE courses in the gym for a total of 1.50 credits of PE.
Counselors may add the .5 of PE credit after a second year of Marching Band or Intensity Swing Choir is complete.
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