Music

Chorale
Course #: FA501SSA

Length & Credit: 1 trimesters/.5 credit

Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: None

This is a full year course for beginning level choir students who want to improve upon their music note reading skills, pitch matching, or basic singing skills. Students will learn proper singing technique, note reading, sight singing skills and performance practice.

Bell So
Course #: FA506SSA

Length & Credit: 3 trimesters/1.5 credit/ SA

Grade(s): 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites:  By Audition

This class is for treble (high) voices only. This choir is more advanced than Chorale and is a great way to prepare if you would like to join Concert Choir or RavenSong in the future. In this class, we will explore treble repertoire and move into more complex music literacy and intermediate singing skills. Students will learn proper singing technique, note reading, sight singing skills and performance practice.

Concert Choir
Course #: FA502SSA

Length & Credit: 3 trimesters/1.5 credit/ SA

Grade(s): 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites:  By Audition

This is a full year course for students with singing experience. Enrollment in all three semesters is required. Students must be committed to singing various genres of choral music, learning note reading, pitch matching, and basic singing skills. Students must attend numerous performances, including four evening concerts. Students will attend competitions and must provide a portion of their concert uniform.

RavenSong (Early Bird)
Course #: FA504SSA

Length & Credit: 3 trimesters/1.5 credit/ SA

Grade(s): 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: Audition Only, Co-enrollment in Concert Choir or Wind Ensemble

This is the most advanced ensemble of singers and is a full year course. Students in RavenSong will be selected through an extensive audition process (contact GS for more info). This group performs with Concert Choir, as well as providing entertainment for numerous school and community events throughout the year. RavenSong students are required to perform at numerous events, both during the school day and outside of school hours. Reliable attendance and grades are crucial in this class. Students in RavenSong must also be enrolled in Concert Choir or Wind Ensemble.

Symphonic Band
Course #: FA600SSA

Length & Credit:3 trimesters/1.5 credit/ SA

Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: By Audition

This course will provide the student with an increasing knowledge, attitude and technical ability to participate in high school level performance groups. Students in Symphonic Band can expect to enjoy music through active participation. The emphasis of the class will be on continuing to develop instrumental techniques, and sensitive ensemble playing. Students will also learn more about music theory, history, and a variety of music literature. Performance opportunities will include concerts, festivals, solos, ensembles, and selected athletic events.

Drumline
Course: FA607SSAA, FA607SSAB, FA607SSAC
Length & Credit: 3 trimesters/1.5 credit/ SA
Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Drumline is comprised of musicians that play percussion instruments. Students need no prior knowledge or skills in order to enroll in Drumline.  Teaching the elements of music through performance in percussion is the primary focus of this class with an emphasis on Drumline.  These elements include ensemble performance skills, individual performance skills, music theory, music history, music analysis, and an appreciation for quality music literature. All types of percussion instruments will be played.  Students in the course are grades 9-12.  Some students in this class will perform with Symphonic Band at concerts and festivals and some will perform with Wind Ensemble. Performing with Symphonic Band and/or Wind Ensemble is encouraged but not required. Students may be enrolled in both Drumline and Symphonic Band and/or Wind Ensemble, but dual enrollment is not required. 

Wind Ensemble
Course #: FA601SSA

Length & Credit: 3 trimesters/1.5 credit/ SA

Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: By Audition

This course will provide the student with advanced knowledge, attitude and technical ability to participate in high school level performance groups. Students in Wind Ensemble can expect to enjoy music through active participation. Membership generally will be sophomores through seniors, but may include freshmen. Membership is also through the demonstration of advanced musical ability. The emphasis of the class will be on the continued development of instrumental techniques, and mature ensemble playing. Students will learn to communicate to the audience through advanced mastery of performance skills. Students will also learn more about music theory, history, and a variety of music literature. Performance opportunities will include concerts, festivals, solos, ensembles, and selected athletic events.

Jazz Ensemble (Early Bird)
Course #: FA602SSA

Length & Credit: 3 trimesters/1.5 credit/ SA

Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: By Audition and Co-enrollment in Concert Choir/Wind Ensemble

This course is an upper level-performing group devoted to the student and performance of jazz styles of music. Students will study various scales and chord structures with individual improvisation in mind. Time will be devoted to developing appropriate interpretation skill for different types of “big band” jazz: ballads, swing, and blues. The students will learn skills and develop attitudes that they will find useful in recreational and professional endeavors.