Academics

Beginning Band is a year-long class open to any student who wishes to gain introductory level knowledge on a band instrument. Any student enrolled in this class has the option to become a member of both the Marching Band and Wind Ensemble co-curricular activities during the year. This class should anticipate giving several concerts during the year, some outside of the school day. These performances will be based on gaining the skills of beginning music literacy, appropriate sound production, and many of the social and community aspects associated with participating with a musical ensemble. This course includes students in grades 9 through 12, and should be taken only one time. Students who have completed this course should consider taking Band the following year.

Prerequisite:  None Full-year course – 1 credit

Key Skills:

• Select an instrument that best fits that student, and learn to identify instruments by section, name, and family.
• Demonstrate basic music literacy skills, including rhythm reading, pitch identification, and knowledge of most visual cues in music.
• Appropriately respond to musical audio cues and learn to adjust musical performances accordingly.
• Prepare and perform a varied repertoire of ensemble music showing continuous individual improvement in performance ability given the level of complexity found in the selected literature.
• Perform an appropriate part in an ensemble demonstrating beginning ensemble skills.
• Gain an appreciation and knowledge of music from a variety of world cultures.
• Understand all of the selected repertoire history as it relates to language, history, and culture.
• Identify music appropriately composed for a selected instrument, understanding the limitations and unique qualities of the instrument.
• Analyze a variety of selected repertoire using the appropriate vocabulary.
• Demonstrate an ability to thoughtfully evaluate a performance and use appropriate introductory language and vocabulary to express a musical opinion.

Anchor Texts:

• Various instrumental technique books including, Standards of Excellence and Essential Elements
• Teacher provided materials that students will retain and organize

Band is a year-long class open to any student participating in the band program. All students enrolled in the band class should anticipate being a member of both the Marching Band and Wind Ensemble co-curricular activities. The band program travels regularly to competitions, and gives concerts throughout the year. These performances will be based on gaining the skills of advanced music literacy, basic music theory, appropriate sound production, and all of the social and community aspects associated with participating with a musical ensemble. This course includes students in grades 9-12, and should be taken each year a student plans to be a part of the band program.

Prerequisite:  None Full-year course – 1credit

Key Skills:

• Demonstrate advanced music literacy skills, including rhythm reading, pitch identification, and knowledge of all visual cues in music.
• Appropriately respond to musical audio cues, and learn to adjust musical performances accordingly.
• Prepare and perform a varied repertoire of ensemble music showing continuous individual improvement in performance ability given the level of complexity found in the selected literature.
• Perform an appropriate part in an ensemble demonstrating well-developed ensemble skills.
• Gain an appreciation and knowledge of music from a variety of world cultures.
• Understand all of the selected repertoire history as it relates to language, history, and culture.
• Develop composition skills on a particular instrument, understanding the limitations and unique qualities of the selected instrument.
• Analyze a variety of selected repertoire using the appropriate vocabulary.
• Demonstrate an ability to thoughtfully evaluate a performance, and use appropriate language and vocabulary to express a musical opinion.

Anchor Texts:

• Various instrumental technique books including Standards of Excellence
• Teacher provided materials that students will retain and organize

Honors band will meet after school (8th bell).  The course will be graded on a 4.5 scale, and will involve an independent study. This study will involve weekly private lessons, basic to advanced music theory, and aural training skills. Students will also be required to audition for a solo, small ensemble, or honor band. Honors Band is a year-long class open to any student participating in the band program. All students enrolled in the band class should anticipate being a member of both the Marching Band and Wind Ensemble co-curricular activities. The band program travels regularly to competitions, and gives concerts throughout the year. These performances will be based on gaining the skills of advanced music literacy, basic music theory, appropriate sound production, and all of the social and community aspects associated with participating with a musical ensemble. This course includes students in grades 9-12, and should be taken each year a student plans to be a part of the band program.

Prerequisite:  Band director approval Full-year course – 1credit

Key Skills:

• Demonstrate advanced music literacy skills, including rhythm reading, pitch identification, and knowledge of all visual cues in music.
• Appropriately respond to musical audio cues, and learn to adjust musical performances accordingly.
• Prepare and perform a varied repertoire of ensemble music showing continuous individual improvement in performance ability given the level of complexity found in the selected literature.
• Perform an appropriate part in an ensemble demonstrating well-developed ensemble skills.
• Gain an appreciation and knowledge of music from a variety of world cultures.
• Understand all of the selected repertoire history as it relates to language, history, and culture.
• Develop composition skills on a particular instrument, understanding the limitations and unique qualities of the selected instrument.
• Analyze a variety of selected repertoire using the appropriate vocabulary.
• Demonstrate an ability to thoughtfully evaluate a performance, and use appropriate language and vocabulary to express a musical opinion.

Anchor Texts:

• Various instrumental technique books including Standards of Excellence
• Teacher provided materials that students will retain and organize

Men’s Choir is an entry level, year-long performance based class, open to all students with little or no experience singing in a choir.  Students are introduced to sight-reading, pitch memory, basic music notation, proper tone quality, breath management, vocal placement and interval recognition in all Men’s Choir classes.  Students are expected to participate in school assemblies and various concerts throughout the year.  Any student enrolled in this class has the option to audition for Vocal Ensemble.  This course is open to all students in grades 9-12 and may be taken all four years.

Prerequisite:  None Full-year course – 1 credit

Key Skills:

• Demonstrate basic music literacy skills, including rhythm reading, pitch identification and knowledge of most cues in music.
• Perform a varied repertoire of music representing diverse genres and cultures along and in an ensemble.
• Demonstrate sight-reading abilities at a beginning level of complexity at least to the level found in the literature chosen for performances.
• Sing or play an increasingly varied repertoire of music representing diverse genres and cultures, alone and in an ensemble.
• Respond appropriately to the cues of the conductor or section leader.
• Identify assessment practices that can help demonstrate their learning and progress made in music.
• Perform authentically and listen to music from different traditions and cultures.
• Demonstrate ensemble skills (e.g., balance, intonation, rhythmic unity and phrasing) while performing in a group.
• Analyze and determine the correct technique (e.g., posture, breath support, and vocal placement) required for proper tone production.

Anchor Texts:

• Various choral Octavos
• Sing at First Sight (Foundations in Choral Sight-Singing) by Alfred Music Publishing
• Breezin Thru theory Online Text

Vocal Ensemble is a year-long audition based, intermediate level performance class open to students who have completed Men’s Choir or have previous ensemble experience.  Advanced levels of sight-reading, pitch memory, basic music notation, vocal placement, proper tone quality, breath management and interval recognition is continued from Men’s Choir classes.  The Vocal Ensemble group will travel to a competition and participate in multiple concerts, Liturgies, and various Community events throughout the year.  This course includes students in grades 10-12 and may be taken three years.

Prerequisite:  Men’s Choir 1 Full-year course – 1 credit 

Key Skills:

• Demonstrate advanced music literacy skills, including rhythm reading, pitch identification and knowledge of all visual cues in music.
• Sing advanced music literature and demonstrate accurate intonation and rhythm, fundamental skills, advance technique and a high degree of musicality.
• Appropriately respond to musical cues and learn to adjust musical performances accordingly.
• Prepare and accurately perform a varied repertoire of ensemble music showing continuous individual improvement in performance ability given the level of complexity found in the selected literature.
• Perform an appropriate part in an ensemble demonstrating well-developed ensemble skills.
• Perform authentically and listen to music from different traditions and cultures.
• Compare and contrast a musical work with another work from the same culture based on cultural influences.
• Gain an appreciation and knowledge of music from a variety of world cultures.
• Articulate connections between music and other subjects.
• Describe or analyze a musical example using appropriate vocabulary
• Evaluate compositions and performances for effectiveness in communicating musical intent.
• Develop and apply criteria for evaluating quality and effectiveness of musical performances and compositions.

Anchor Texts:

• Various choral Octavos
• Sing at First Sight (Foundations in Choral Sight-Singing) by Alfred Music Publishing

Intro to Art is an entry level year-long course designed to introduce students to various art forms, vocabulary and language of art. Students will develop a visual appreciation and the use of hands on media, methods and techniques to create art through studio projects. Students will learn new historical and current styles and theories of art through an interrelated study of artist. This studio course will also involve students participating in art criticism and aesthetics. 

Prerequisite: None Full-year course – 1 credit

Key Skills: 

• Develop criteria for assessing the quality of their artworks
• Understand the elements and principles of design and the possibilities and limitations of art Visually and aurally identify numerous styles of art
• Compare and contrast the stylistic characteristics of visual art from one historical period with those of the previous time period
• Demonstrate knowledge of the vocabulary and language of art
• Explain how art history interrelates with the study of aesthetics, criticism and art making Demonstrate perceptual skills when drawing and painting from direct observation
• Demonstrate perceptual skill when drawing from direct observation
• Develop creativity and good composition
• Make informed choices in the selection of materials, subject matter and techniques to achieve certain visual effects  

Drawing and Painting is a year-long studio art course designed to expand students to drawing and painting specifically. Students are expected to expand on the learned techniques of Intro to Art. They will develop advanced techniques in studio artwork. Several new techniques in drawing and painting will be explored. Students will learn new historical and current styles and theories of art through an interrelated study of artist. This studio course will involve students participating in art criticism and aesthetics. 

Prerequisite: Intro to Art Full-year course – 1 credit

Key Skills: 

• Recognize good composition in art
• Understand, define, communicate and celebrate a lifelong appreciation for the arts
• Produce advanced level of quality artwork
• Understand that the arts are a gift from God that permeates our daily lives
• Compare and contrast fine art forms of the same historical time period
• Critique and analyze the value of art and aesthetics
• Understand the elements and principles of design and the possibilities and limitations of art
• Visually and aurally identify numerous styles of art
• Demonstrate knowledge of the vocabulary and language of art
• Demonstrate advanced skills when drawing and painting from direct observation

Studio Art is an advanced, year-long studio art course designed to improve developed skills and add new skills, vocabulary and language of art. Students are expected to expand on the learned techniques of Intro and Drawing and Painting. Students will develop a visual appreciation and the use of hands on media, methods and techniques to create art through studio projects. Students will begin to develop their portfolio and will learn new historical and current styles and theories of art through an interrelated study of artist. This studio course will also involve students participating in art criticism and aesthetics. 

Prerequisite: Drawing and Painting Full-year course – 1 credit

Key Skills: 

• Demonstrate an understanding of complex design composition
• Create original works of art that demonstrate increased complexity and skill and use a variety of two-dimensional and three-dimensional media
• Visually and aurally, identify numerous styles of art
• Analyze a work of art and explain how it reflects the heritages, traditions and attitudes and the beliefs of the artist
• Demonstrate knowledge of the vocabulary and language of art
• Use feedback and self-assessment to organize a collection of artworks in a variety of media
• Create expressive artworks that demonstrate a sense of purpose an understanding of the relationship between form, materials, techniques and subject matter
• Use self-assessment to reflect on the effectiveness of their processes and choice of subject matter, materials and techniques to achieve their intent
• Develop creativity and good imagination
• Solve visual art problems that demonstrate skill, imagination and in depth understanding of media and processes

Advanced Studio Art is an advanced, year-long studio art course designed for the student who is serious about art either as a lifetime hobby or as a career. Students are expected to expand on the learned techniques of Studio Art. The first half of the course will concentrate on the preparation and completion of a portfolio of eight to twelve examples of the students’ personal best works demonstrating technical skill in multiple media and various original solutions to two and three dimensional problems. The student will improve developed skills and add new skills, vocabulary and language of art. Students will learn new historical and current styles and theories of art through an interrelated study of artist. This studio course will also involve students participating in art criticism and aesthetics.

Prerequisite: Studio Art Full-year course – 1 credit 

Key Skills: 

• Demonstrate an understanding of complex design composition
• Integrate the elements of art and principles of design using a variety of media to solve specific visual art problems and to convey meaning
• Develop creativity and good imagination
• Solve visual art problems that demonstrate skill, imagination and in depth understanding of media and process
• Demonstrate knowledge of the vocabulary and language of art
• Understand and apply knowledge of art history in oral and written discussion about selected works of art
• Create expressive artworks that demonstrate a sense of purpose and understanding of the relationship among form, materials, techniques and subject matter
• Identify and compare the relationships between artworks based on history, culture and aesthetic qualities
• Develop personal portfolio demonstrating technical skills, a range of media and various original solutions to two and three dimensional problems