CHORUS

Students may repeat this class throughout their three years.

Building on the enthusiasm and fun of singing in lower grades, students will now learn:

  • How to read choral music including sight reading
  • To sing in two and three part harmony
  • How to use the voice correctly to show personal improvement
  • Music of other cultures
  • How to write music
  • How to be a convincing performer

This is a co-curricular performance based class.   This means performances are outside of normal school hours and are required as part of the grade.

GUITAR

This is a one year introduction to playing the guitar.  Guitars are provided by the school for use at school.  Students will learn:

  • To hold the guitar correctly and care of the guitar
  • Strum patterns
  • Chords   A, Am, A7, B, Bm, B7, C, C7, D, D7, Dm, Dm7, E, Em, E7, Em7, F, G, G7
  • Traditional notation and guitar tab reading
  • To play music of many styles
  • Palm muting
  • How to buy a good guitar

​Students will be given a song and a tab each week for a grade.  The class is more enjoyable when students are willing to sing.

There are no public performances in guitar, but performances in class are expected and are the exams.

BEGINNING BAND

This class will provide students with the tools, knowledge and experience required to play in an ensemble.

Students will receive group instruction on one of four instruments: flute, clarinet, trumpet and trombone.  Instruments may be rented from a music store  (Watermelon Music in Davis is recommended), or borrowed from the school.  We request a donation of $30 to cover repair and cleaning costs.

Students will learn:

  • To care for their instrument
  • To read music
  • To play in an ensemble
  • A lifelong skill
  • To perform in concert and in marching band

This is a co-curricular performance based class.   This means performances are outside of normal school hours and are required as part of the grade.  Also required is practice at home which means taking the instrument home on Tuesday (back on Thursday) and Friday (back on Monday).   Your encouragement is vital for student success both in helping to remember instrument and in actively listening to home practice.

INTERMEDIATE BAND

The course will be a continuation of the technical training started in the beginning class. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of skills necessary to meet high standards of music performance. This course will teach instrumental music techniques needed for the performance of repertoire from different cultures, eras and styles. This class is performance based with concerts in school, community and festivals as part of the grade. Student must have prior musical experience.