- School District U-46
- Fine Arts Curriculum
- Music (K-12)
- High School Music Curriculum
High School Music Curriculum
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High School: Grades 9-12
Students in grades nine through twelve have many elective music course options available to them in High School.
Band is a year-long elective course available to students who have previously studied a band instrument. Students interested in joining band for the first time may be able to do so at the discretion of the director. Students involved in band in high school will move through a sequential curriculum designed to encourage continued musical growth throughout high school. Students who have participated in band in middle school are encouraged to continue their participation and musical development through high school. Band students participate in many performance aspects of high school band, including marching band and pep band. Courses in this sequence include Varsity Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble.
Orchestra is a year-long elective course available to students who have previously studied an orchestra instrument. Students interested in joining orchestra for the first time may be able to do so at the discretion of the director. Students involved in orchestra in high school will move through a sequential curriculum designed to encourage continued musical growth throughout high school. Students who have participated in orchestra in middle school are encouraged to continue their participation and musical development through high school. Courses in this sequence include Concert Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra.
Chorus is available to any high school student as a year-long elective course. No previous experience is necessary! Students in chorus will develop aural and musical skill through the instruction of music-reading, performance preparation, and other interactive performance-based activities designed to encourage musical growth. Courses in this sequence include Mixed Chorus, Concert Choir, Treble Choir, and Chamber Choir.
Jazz Band is a year-long elective course available to students who are also enrolled in band or have the permission of the director. Students involved in jazz band in high school will move through a sequential curriculum designed to encourage continued musical growth and creativity.
Music Theory is available to any high school student as a year-long elective course, though it is suggested that interested students have adequate music-reading skills. Students in music theory will develop aural and tonal musical skills through the instruction of music-reading, instrument use, harmonic and melodic construction, and other interactive performance-based activities designed to encourage musical growth.
DREAM Academy High School
Students enrolled in the DREAM Academy High School program have access to the Music Recording & Production course. In this course, students will explore the historical context of popular music genres and learn how the music they enjoy developed culturally. The students will develop skills in digital audio composition and production, and will generate completed pieces of pop music. The course will incorporate writing, cognitive looping, cultural identity, and dialectic process to create original lyrics that reflect the students’ lives, interests, and futures. Students will develop online portfolios for their digital music which they can share and market based on an individualized production plan.