Fine Arts Department
Music Ensembles
(Courses Above are Not Included in GPA)
Concert Band
FA107 - 1.0 Credit - Year Long - Grades 9-12
Prerequisite:
- None
The Concert Band performs a wide variety of music including marches, light concert music, and standard band music from various time periods in music history. Participation in this course requires attendance at all scheduled concerts including Band-O-Rama, Winter Concert, Spring Concert, Graduation, and adjudication festivals. Daily individual practice and preparation, class participation, and some after school sectionals are required.
Symphonic Band
FA106 - 1.0 Credit - Year Long - Grades 9-12
Prerequisite:
- Audition required
Participation is open to brass, woodwind, and percussion players by audition. The Wind Ensemble will focus on advanced repertoire including class works for wind band and orchestral transcriptions. Participation in this course requires attendance at all concerts including Band-O-Rama, Winter Concert, Spring Concert, Baccalaureate, Graduation, and adjudication festivals. Students in this ensemble are strongly encouraged to take private lessons. Daily individual practice and preparation are required, as well as attendance at a monthly sectional after school.
Concert Orchestra
FA109 - 1.0 Credit - Year Long - Grades 9-12
Prerequisite:
- None
Concert Orchestra is open to all experienced violin, viola, cello, and double bass players. No audition is required for entrance. Students enrolled in Concert Orchestra will study and perform a variety of intermediate string orchestra literature, encompassing a wide range of styles and periods in music history. Participation in this course requires attendance at all concerts including a Winter Concert, String Fest, Spring Concert, and adjudicated festivals. Students are expected to practice regularly outside of school.
Chamber Orchestra
FA108 - 1.0 Credit - Year Long - Grades 9-12
Prerequisite:
- Audition required
Chamber Orchestra is a select ensemble and an audition is required for entrance. Students enrolled in Chamber Orchestra will study and perform a variety of advanced string and full orchestra literature, encompassing a wide range of styles and periods in music history. Participation in this course requires attendance at all concerts including a Winter Concert, String Fest, Spring Concert, and adjudicated festivals. Students are expected to practice regularly outside of school and are strongly encouraged to study privately.
Women’s Chorale
FA1010 - 1.0 Credit - Year Long - Grades 9-12
Prerequisite:
- Audition required
The Women’s Chorale is a select vocal performance ensemble. Audition is required for entrance. The course stresses the fundamentals of vocal technique and the study and performance of music composed for treble voices. Students study and perform music from a wide range of musical styles, encompassing all periods of music history and many cultures from around the globe. Previous participation in Mixed Chorus does not guarantee that a student is admitted to Women’s Chorale. The Women’s Chorale performs at the October Choral Collage Concert, the Winter Concert, and the Spring Concert. Often the ensemble will perform at other venues, including competitions and festivals.
Mixed Chorus
FA1011 - 1.0 Credit - Year Long - Grades 9-12
Prerequisite:
- None
The Mixed Chorus is a non-selective vocal performance ensemble. No audition is required for entrance. The course stresses the fundamentals of vocal technique and the study and performance of music composed for four-part music for mixed voices (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass). Students study and perform music from a wide range of musical styles, encompassing all periods of music history and many cultures from around the globe in a large group situation. Previous singing experience is helpful, but not necessary. The Mixed Chorus performs at the October Concert, the December Winter Concert, the Choral Collage and the Spring Concert as well as other venues, including competitions and festivals.
Concert Choir
FA1012 - 1.0 Credit - Year Long - Grades 9-12
Prerequisite:
- Audition required
The Concert Choir is a select group of students who have shown an outstanding vocal and musical ability through participation in other vocal performance ensembles. The group will study advanced choral works both with accompaniment and a cappella. Students should be able to read music and should have a solid background in vocal technique. Entrance into Concert Choir is by audition only. The auditions take place as students are selecting courses for the following academic full year. Previous participation in either the Women’s Chorale or Mixed Chorus does not guarantee that a student is admitted to Concert Choir. Concert Choir performs at the October Concert, the December Winter Concert, the Choral Collage and the Spring Concert as well as other venues, including competitions and festivals.
Combined Ensembles: Choir & Wind; Choir & Orchestra; Mixed Chorus & Concert Band; Chorale & Orchestra; Symphonic Band & Choir
FA1013/1015/1014/1016/1022 - 1.0 Credit - Year Long - Grades 9-12
Prerequisite:
- Audition and approval from Director of Fine Arts required
Students are allowed to join no more than two ensembles that rehearse during the same period. Students wishing to enroll in two ensembles should consult their ensemble director for a list of expectations and to schedule an audition.