Students electing a performing group are expected to attend all performances. (Performing groups include all bands, orchestras and choruses.) These performances are an important outgrowth of the curriculum and most often, are scheduled outside of the regular school day. When enrolling in a performing group, students are committing themselves to all performances of that group.
Note: Students with unusual circumstances may be excused from participation in a performance by written parental request.
PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES
CONCERT BAND
Two Semesters – 1.00 Credit * 730 - Level 2
Offered for grade 9, 10, 11
This ensemble is open to all grade 9-11 students who can demonstrate the ability to perform level 3 literature. Instruction will focus on group skills, aesthetic awareness, musical literacy and technique through the study of a variety of musical styles including popular music and traditional band works. Members are required to participate in school concerts, local parades, and three home football games. Students are encouraged to participate in the Football Pep Band on a voluntary basis at the remaining football games.
This course may be taken for Level 1 credit through a separate audition process and the completion of additional requirements through independent study.
SYMPHONIC BAND
Two Semesters – 1.00 Credit * 731 - Level 2
Offered for grades 9, 10, 11 & 12,
Prerequisite: Audition.
This ensemble is open to all students in grades 9 through 12 who can demonstrate the ability to perform level 4 literature. Instruction will focus on aesthetic awareness, musical literacy, and advanced skills through the study of a variety of musical styles including Broadway, jazz, and popular as well as traditional band works. Members are required to participate in school concerts, local parades and three home football games. Students are encouraged to participate in the Football Pep Band on a voluntary basis at the remaining football games. This course may be taken for level 1 credit through a separate audition process and completion of additional requirements through an independent study.
WIND ENSEMBLE
Two Semesters – 1.00 Credit * 732 - Level 2
Offered for grades 9, 10, 11, & 12
Prerequisite: Audition.
The Wind Ensemble is a select performance group focusing on advanced literature through level 6. Large works, chamber ensembles, and orchestral literature will be studied. Students are accepted based on an audition and instrumental limits. Members are required to participate in school concerts, local parades, and three home football games. Students are encouraged to participate in the Football Pep Band on a voluntary basis at the remaining football games. This course may be taken for level 1 credit by audition and completion of additional requirements through independent study.
CHAMBER STRING ENSEMBLE
Two Semesters – 1.00 Credit 736 * Level 2
Prerequisite: Audition
The Chamber String Ensemble is open by audition to high school students entering grades 10 through 12. Students who play violin, viola, cello, or string bass may audition for the course in January of the preceding school year. Students will study and perform challenging level five and six literature for small chamber string ensemble as well string trios and quartets. Opus One members are selected from students enrolled in this course. In the study of chamber works and small ensemble works, emphasis is placed on the advanced chamber pedagogy, independent playing, and small group performance. Students will participate in an in-depth study of literature for interpretation, musicality, style, and aesthetic quality. Students will study appropriate composers in relation to the era, society, and culture in which they created their works. In combination with members of the Wind Ensemble, students will have the opportunity to study and perform mixed instrument chamber compositions and full orchestra literature. Students will perform at school concerts and various community events. Class size will be limited to twenty students with balanced instrumentation. This course may be taken for level 1 credit through a separate audition process and completion of additional requirements through an independent study.
STRING ORCHESTRA
Two Semesters – 1.00 Credit * 735 – Level 2
Prerequisite: Prior Orchestral Experience
The String Orchestra course is a performing ensemble open to any high school students who play an orchestral string instrument: violin, viola, cello, or double bass. Appropriate string orchestra literature is studied. Emphasis is placed upon skill development as well as interpretation and ensemble skills. Students will study a variety of musical styles appropriate to the genre. The String Orchestra will perform at school concerts as well as community events. This course may be taken for level 1 credit by audition and completion of additional requirements through an independent study.
CONCERT CHOIR
Two Semesters – 1.00 Credit * 734 - Level 2
Prerequisite: Audition
The Concert Choir is a select performance ensemble open to qualified sophomores, juniors and seniors by audition. Prior membership in Chorus or the equivalent is expected. Advanced literature from all historical periods including small major works with instrumental accompaniment is studied. Emphasis is placed on development of vocal skills in the areas of tone quality and tone production, breath control, reading accuracy and interpretation. The choir performs at school concerts as well as selected community events. This course may be taken for level 1 credit by audition and by completing additional requirements through independent study.
CHORUS
Two Semesters – 1.00 Credit * 733 - Level 2
This is a performing choral ensemble open to any high school student without audition. A wide variety of literature which is appropriate to the particular ensemble is studied. Major emphasis is on developing vocal skills. The Chorus performs at school concerts as a vocal ensemble as well as in combination with the Concert Choir. This course may be taken for level 1 credit by audition and by completing additional requirements through independent study.
CLASSROOM MUSIC COURSES
CLASSROOM PIANO/KEYBOARD
One Semester – 0.50 Credit * 745 - Level 2
This course is for students who have little or no previous keyboard experience. Students will learn basic piano technique - fingering, reading, playing chord progressions. These keyboard skills can be applied to synthesizers, sequencers, and computers providing students with skill and understanding of modern music technology. Keyboards will be available for classroom use.
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
One Semester - 0.50 Credit * 744 Level 2
This course is designed to teach students how to create music using computers. Students will learn to use computers, synthesizers, and sequencing/notation software. Students may focus on their area of interest using other software programs and CD-ROMs. No musical experience is necessary. This hands-on course will service the abilities and interests of all students.
BEGINNING GUITAR
Semester - 0.50 Credit * 737 - Level 2
This course is designed for students with little or no guitar experience. Students will learn basic chords, scales, note and rhythm reading, tab reading and beginning barre chords. Students will also learn to play songs using notes, tab and chords. This course may be taken a second time only with teacher permission.
INTERMEDIATE GUITAR
One Semester - 0.50 Credit * 738 - Level 2
This course is designed for students who have completed the GHS Beginning Guitar course and/or for students who have basic rudimentary guitar skills (see requirements from Beginning Guitar description). Students will study advanced barre chords, note and rhythm reading, scales and modes, guitar theory, composition, improvisation and ensemble performance. This class may be taken a second time only with teacher permission.
THEORY AND HARMONY
One Semester - 0.50 Credit * 740 - Level 2
Two Semesters - 1.00 Credit * 739 - Level 2
Theory and Harmony is a course in analysis, arranging, composing, and performing music from the 17th-20th centuries. Techniques will be explored in sight-singing, melodic, rhythmic and harmonic dictation, part writing, musical terminology and musical form.
VOICE CLASS
One Semester - 0.50 Credit * 741 - Level 2
This is a class in vocal techniques for the student who wants to learn more about vocal production, literature, and vocal repertoire. This course offers opportunities for individuals to perform in the classroom setting.
