Music

Note: Departmental honors in Music (band, orchestra, and vocal) will be awarded to: Each senior who has earned seven A’s, grades 9-12.  This can be a total of 7 in all areas of music, but will be listed under the majority.  

FRESHMAN BAND-GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Freshman Band is for all incoming freshmen band students. Emphasis is given to solidifying and developing fundamental instrumental techniques and skills. Through the use of quality band literature, musical understanding and enjoyment is increased. THE STUDENT: The student will rehearse and perform band music including marches, overtures, and concert material suitable to their stage of development. The band will perform in numerous programs, competitions, and organization contests throughout the year. Attendance is required for all performances. (ST#05101A000) 

CONCERT BAND - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Concert Band is for the intermediate band student in grades 10 through 12. The band offers an opportunity to further musical understanding and enjoyment utilizing standard band literature. THE STUDENT: The student will rehearse and perform band music including marches, overtures, and concert material suitable to their stage of development. The band will perform in numerous programs, and organization contests throughout the school year. Attendance is required for all performances. (ST# 05102A000)

SYMPHONIC BAND - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Symphonic Band is for the advanced band student in grades 10 through 12. The passing of an audition is required for membership in this ensemble. Instrumentation and performance ability will determine eligibility. THE STUDENT: The student will rehearse and perform contemporary and traditional band literature. The band will perform in numerous programs, competitions, and organization contests throughout the school year. Attendance is required for all performances. (ST# 05103A000) 

SENIOR SYMPHONIC BAND - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Senior Symphonic Band is for the advanced band student who wishes to receive a weighted grade for the course. The passing of an audition is required for membership into this ensemble. Instrumentation and performance ability will determine eligibility. Experiences include the option of participating in pep band, jazz band, pit orchestra, and full orchestra. To receive weighted credit, the student must audition for the ILMEA District 2 Festival in the fall, and participate in the IHSA Solo & Ensemble contest in the spring. (ST#05102A000) 

MARCHING BAND - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Marching Band is open to all students who are currently enrolled in a band, orchestra, or choir class, grades 9 through 12. Marching Band starts 2 weeks before the school year with a mandatory camp, and continues throughout the fall performing for football games, community events, parades, public functions, and district events. In addition to daily rehearsals, there are weekly evening rehearsals on Monday, and on game weeks, Thursday evenings. THE STUDENT: The student will rehearse and learn marching band music, develop marching fundamental skills, and develop their stage and field performance presence. They will perform in a variety of new and challenging situations. Attendance is required for all performances. (ST#) 

CONCERT ORCHESTRA - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Concert Orchestra is a string ensemble open to grade 9. No audition required. The student must have some knowledge of one of the following string instruments: violin, viola, cello, or bass. The focus of this class will be on introducing and improving basic string techniques. Students will be expected to perform at all concerts. Grades will be determined not only by performances, but also by playing and written exams (and occasional homework). (ST# 05104A000) 

SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Symphonic Orchestra is a full orchestra ensemble open to grades 10 through 12. The student must demonstrate a high level of playing ability: comprehension of higher positions on the instrument, good tone production, awareness of intonation, an understanding of rhythm, a well-developed vibrato, good posture, and a committed attitude to the ensemble. The focus of this class will be on a higher level of performing. Students will be expected to perform at all concerts. Grades will be determined not only by performances but also by playing and written exams (and occasional homework). (ST# 05104A000) 

SENIOR SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Senior Symphonic Orchestra is for the advanced orchestra student who wishes to receive a weighted grade for the course. The passing of an audition is required for membership into this ensemble. Experiences include the option of participating in jazz band, pit orchestra, full orchestra, and chamber orchestra. To receive weighted credit, the student must audition for the ILMEA District 2 Festival in the fall, and participate in IHSA Solo & Ensemble contest in the spring. (ST#05104A000)

CONCERT CHOIR - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Concert Choir is a performance-oriented class for the more advanced singers (grades 9-12). A variety of the best choral literature available is used as the core for developing an appreciation for and a repertory of good choral music. Concert Choir performs in all scheduled concerts and special events that become available during the year. Attendance at performances is required. Permission of the instructor is required for a student to enroll in this class. It is recommended that students participate in other choirs in order to prepare for this advanced choir. (ST#05110A000)

SENIOR CONCERT CHOIR - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: Senior concert choir is for the advanced choral musician who wishes to receive a weighted credit for the course. Concert Choir is a performance-oriented class for the more advanced singers (grades 9-12). A variety of the best choral literature available is used as the core for developing an appreciation for and a repertory of good choral music. Concert Choir performs in all scheduled concerts and special events that become available during the year. Attendance at performances is required. Permission of the instructor is required for a student to enroll in this class. It is recommended that students participate in other choirs in order to prepare for this advanced choir. In order to receive a weighted credit in choir, the student must audition for the ILMEA D2 Senior Choir and/or the ACDA regional or national choral conference. In the spring each student receiving the weighted grade music prepares and performs at the IHSA Solo and Ensemble competition. (ST# 05110A000) 

A CAPPELLA CHOIR - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: A Cappella Choir is an intermediate class vocal group (grades 9-12). It is a performing organization with emphasis on basic vocal technique and music fundamentals. THE STUDENT: The A Cappella Choir performs in all scheduled concerts. Class time is devoted to singing appropriate choral literature. Attendance at performances is required. This is a non-auditioned class available to all students. Certain items of dress appropriate for performance will be required of students. It is recommended that students participate in Freshman Chorus in order to prepare for this choir. (ST# 05111A000)

FRESHMAN TREBLE CHORUS - GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: This SSA choir is devoted to singing a variety of music while emphasizing basic vocal techniques and music fundamentals. THE STUDENT: Attendance at performances is required. Certain items of dress appropriate for performance may be required of students. No previous experience is necessary. (ST# 05110A000) 

BELLA VOCE (Advanced Treble Choir)- GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a more select group of unchanged treble voices - SSA.(grades 9-12) This group will study a wide range of choral literature and will perform at all concerts. Permission of the instructor is required for a student to enroll in this class. It is recommended that students participate in Freshman Chorus in order to prepare for this advanced choir. (ST#05111A000) 

STAGECRAFT- GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a class for any student who wishes to have hands on, behind the scenes experiences in theater. This class is designed to give the student a basic understanding of theatrical design, construction, scenery, properties, lighting equipment, sound equipment, and rigging. No experience required. THE STUDENT: The student will develop skills required in the field of technical theater and stage management. It is hands-on and requires some physical activities.(ST#05056A000) 

AP MUSIC THEORY- GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: This rigorous advanced placement course teaches an introduction to musical theory and sight-singing. Students completing this course will be prepared to successfully take the AP Music Theory Exam at the culmination of the school year. THE STUDENT: In this year-long course, the student will develop skills in music theory and analysis, composition, musical dictation, and aural training. Due to the specific nature of this course materials, it is required that the student is (or has been enrolled) in Band, Orchestra, or Choir previously to taking this course. (ST#05114A000)