Please note that the following courses have historically had course fees associated with them. Please contact school administration if you have any questions about course fees.

Instrumental Music: Beginner Band 8                                                                                      

No experience necessary. Students are given the opportunity to learn to play a brass, woodwind or percussion instrument. Students learn proper playing techniques, music theory, music history, and music composition, at the beginner level. In addition, students learn the value of teamwork, gain self-confidence, and develop interpersonal relationships.

Instrumental Music: Instrumental Band 8                                                                                                        

Please take beginner band if you have never played a band instrument. Students continue to learn proper playing techniques, music theory, music history, and music composition at an intermediate level. Students participate in festivals, master classes, and other performance events.

Instrumental Music:  Band 9/10                                                                                                   

Students continue to learn proper playing techniques, music theory, music history, and music composition, at an advanced level. Students participate in festivals, master classes and other performance events.

Instrumental Music: Jazz Band 9/10                                                                                          

(Before School)

Students focus on instrumental playing from a jazz perspective, jazz history, jazz theory, and jazz composition, at a beginning level. Students participate in festivals, master classes, and other performance events. This group meets in the mornings and some lunches and will be scheduled at the start of the year.

Instrumental Music: Band 11/12

Students continue to learn proper playing techniques, music theory, music history, and music composition. Students participate in festivals, master classes and other performance events.

 Instrumental Music: Jazz Band 11/12

(Before School)

Students focus on instrumental music from a jazz perspective, jazz history, jazz theory, and jazz composition. Students participate in festivals, master classes and other performance events. This group meets in the mornings before first block as well as some lunches and will be scheduled at the start of the year. Previous experience on a jazz instrument (sax, trumpet, trombone, bass, guitar, piano, drum kit) is encouraged but the group will make things work regardless of instrument and experience.

Choral

Choral Music: Concert Choir 8/9

Choir is open to all students who like to sing.  Previous choral experience is helpful, but not required.  This is a group choral experience with emphasis placed on music reading skills, music theory, musical interpretation, correct vocal production, recording studio techniques, historical perspectives of choral music, and other choral techniques.  Because the choir is performance-oriented, students are given the opportunity to perform in school concerts, as well as to travel both locally and abroad to enrich their choral experience.  Opportunities are also provided for all students to participate in workshops and festivals run by music industry professionals.

Choral Music: Concert Choir 10

(Previous Choral experience is encouraged but not required)                                                     

This course is open to all students who like to sing.  In furthering the study of choral and individual vocal techniques outlined in Choir 9, students are exposed to a more challenging repertoire than in previous levels.  Various performance opportunities are given.  In addition, opportunities to travel both locally and internationally to festivals run by music professionals is given to enhance the overall Choral experience.

Choral Music: Concert Choir 11/12                                         

Students enrolling in Choral Music 11 or 12 should like to sing. No previous experience is necessary. Choral students have input into music choices, as well as the festival and tour destinations each year. Music reading skills, theory, interpretation, correct vocal production, recording studio techniques, historical perspectives of choral music, and other choral techniques are explored. Students are given opportunities to perform in school concerts, as well as to travel both locally and abroad to enrich their choral experience. Opportunities are also provided for all students to participate in workshops and festivals run by music industry professionals.

 Choral Music: Vocal Jazz 8-12                                                      
(After school)

Jazz Choir is a performance-oriented course primarily centered on the style of Jazz and Musical Theatre. Opportunities are provided for all students to participate in workshops, local performances, and festivals that take place both locally and internationally. Rehearsal times are Thursdays from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, plus a few lunch hours per week for sections to rehearse and eat their lunch together. Lunch hour rehearsals will be determined by the enrolling students.

Other Music Options

 Instrumental Music: GUITAR 9 – 12                                                     

All levels of guitarists are welcome. From beginners who have never played to experts who are writing their own songs. Beginners will be taught the basics of chord, note, and tab reading as well as strumming and fingerpicking. From there they will join more advanced students in pursuing their personal guitar goals. Whether it is learning a specific song or mastering soloing, students will have the opportunity to improve their guitar playing. Students may pay a $20 fee to use the school’s guitars or bring their own instrument and have the cost waived.

Music Composition & Production 11/12

To be taken in conjunction with an instrumental or choral music class.

Students MUST have the ability to play an instrument on which they can compose (i.e; Piano or Guitar) This course focuses on developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to compose music using traditional and contemporary technologies. Students learn to create and re-create music by manipulating pitch, rhythm and form, using a variety of available technologies, and have the opportunity to compose and arrange traditional music. They will also learn to use computer technology, how to manipulate MIDI, and record their own compositions. 

Instrumental Music:  Musical Pit Orchestra Grade 8-12

(After school)

Students with a strong interest in performance combine their talents in technical theatre, pit orchestra, and musical cast to present a school performance. After school X block Pit rehearsals occur on Tuesdays from 3-5pm. 

Pit Orchestra: masters the music for the all songs for the show as well as developing the art of accompaniment for a professional level show.

Instrumentation needed: Piano, Synthesizer, Drums, Guitar and Electric or Double Bass.  Reeds: Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet, Oboe, English Horn, Piccolo, and Flute Brass: Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Tuba Strings: Violin, Viola, and Cello