The Marching Band is an active performing ensemble that studies and performs literature from all genres. Participation in marching band involves music performance, aerobic activity, and outdoor rehearsals in all elements. The band performs at all varsity football games and at organized band competitions as determined by the director. The band may also be required to perform at community and school events scheduled throughout the year.

Participation in the band program is by audition only.  Attendance at all scheduled rehearsals, sections, and performances is mandatory. Pre-band camp, band camp, and summer rehearsals are mandatory. Students must participate in a Concert Performing Group to be in Marching Band. Students may not take any band independent study.   Two seasons of membership in marching band fulfill the physical education requirement for graduation.

Course Number: 600

Duration: 10 weeks

Credits: 0.5

Grade: 9-12

Fees: A pay-to-participate fee applies

Additional: Taken in conjunction with concert performing bands.

Concert Band 1 is a select organization comprised of those high school students who show a marked proficiency on their instruments. Literature performed will represent high-level high school program material. Performances may include winter and spring concerts, OMEA sponsored contests, and commencement exercises.

Membership in this group is determined through auditions of all instrumental students held in the spring prior to each school year and will be limited to an instrumentation determined by the director.

Concert Band 1 will meet five days each week during school with additional rehearsals scheduled by the director. Students may not take any band independent study.     

Course Number: 606

Duration: 26 weeks

Credits: 0.5

Grade: 9-12

Fees: None

Additional: Taken in conjunction with Marching Band; band plays as an intermediate-level competition band.

Concert Band 2 is a select organization comprised of those high school students who show proficiency on their instruments but demonstrate significant growth potential. Literature performed will represent material designed to improve technical skills.  Performances may include winter and spring concerts and OMEA sponsored contest.

Membership in Concert Band 2 will be determined through auditions of all instrumental students held in the spring prior to each school year and will be limited to an instrumentation determined by the director.

Concert Band 2 will meet five days each week during school with additional rehearsals scheduled by the director. Students may not take any band independent study.

Course Number: 608

Duration: 26 weeks

Credits: 0.5

Grade: 9-12

Fees: None

Additional: Taken in conjunction with Marching Band; band plays as an entry-level competition band.

The Symphonic Band is a select organization comprised of those high school students who show above average proficiency on their instruments. Literature performed will represent the finest of educational and program material.

Performances may include winter and spring concerts and OMEA sponsored contest.

Membership in the Symphonic Band will be determined through auditions of all instrumental students held in the spring prior to each school year and will be limited to an instrumentation determined by the director.

The Symphonic Band will meet five days each week during school with additional rehearsals scheduled by the director.

Students may not take any band independent study.

Course Number: 604

Duration: 26 weeks

Credits: 0.5

Grade: 9-12

Fees: None

Additional: In conjunction with Marching Band; band plays as an advanced-level competition band.

Jazz Band is a course designed to provide students with the opportunity to study music through performance in jazz band.  Students will be introduced to and study a wide variety of jazz, Latin, rock and pop music genres and styles. Students will also learn about basic techniques in jazz improvisation. Additionally, students will be given the opportunity to develop self-discipline, leadership, and communication skills.  Jazz Band is a full year course.

Students must be a member of the school’s Band Program in good standing or have permission from the instructor to enroll in jazz band. Students must participate in jazz band for the entire year to receive any credit or awards.

Membership/enrollment in Jazz Band is determined by audition in the spring of each school year.

Course Number: 602

Duration: Full Year

Credits: 0.5

Grade: 9-12

Fees: None

Orchestra 1 is a select organization comprised of those high school students who show proficiency on their instruments. Repertoire performed will include high school level pieces and pieces used to improve string performance techniques. This ensemble will perform 4-7 concerts per year including OMEA sponsored events. Students in this ensemble will focus on posture, technique and other intermediate performance skills including but not limited to bow distribution, tone quality, shifting, and ensemble leadership skills. Orchestra 1 will meet five days each week during school with additional rehearsals scheduled by the director.

Course Number: 612

Duration: Full Year

Credits: 1

Grade: 9-12

Fees: None

Orchestra 2 is a select organization comprised of those high school students who show advanced proficiency on their instruments. Repertoire performed will include the advanced high school, collegiate, and professional literature. This ensemble will perform 4-7 concerts per year including OMEA sponsored events. Students in this ensemble will study advanced musicianship and technique including but not limited to shifting, vibrato, phrasing and professional ensemble skills. Orchestra 2 will meet five days each week during school with additional rehearsals scheduled by the director.  Membership in Orchestra 2 is by audition only.

Course Number: 613

Duration: Full Year

Credits: 1

Grade: 9-12

Fees: None

The Chamber Chorale is a select mixed voice singing group determined through auditions each year. This group will take part in the same concerts and may be a part of the Symphonic Choir. They will also take part in many other public and school performances. Students auditioning for this group must have a high regard for all types of music and exhibit good self-discipline. Students will be required to attend extra rehearsals as needed. Students will also be required to purchase either all, or a portion of, their uniform. Auditions will be conducted during the second semester.

Course Number: 622

Duration: Full Year

Credits: 1

Grade: 9-12

Fees: None

Additional: Permission of director required.

The AP Music Theory course is equal to a first-year college-level music theory course, covering the material from two separate courses:  written skills and aural skills. Within the course, students will study elements of music such as rhythm, notation, sight singing, rhythmic dictation, keyboard harmony and part writing all within the historical “common practice period” (18th-19th centuries).

There are two goals for this class: 1) that students would be prepared to take the AP Music Theory exam, and 2) that students would have a lifelong ability to understand and appreciate music.

The development of aural skills is a primary objective of the AP Music Theory course. Throughout the course, students listen to musical works attentively and analytically, developing their musical memory and their ability to articulate responses to formal, stylistic, and aesthetic qualities of the works. Performance using singing, keyboard, and students’ primary performance media are also a part of the learning process. Although sight singing is the only performance skill that is directly tested by the AP Exam, training in all these areas will develop the aural skills that are tested. Fluency and quickness with basic materials are essential to success in the course.

• Course Number: 610AP              
• Duration: Full Year          
• Credits: 1                                                         
• Grade: 11-12      
• Fees: None

Additional: Required concurrent enrollment in an ensemble or permission from instructor.  The student’s ability to read and write musical notation is fundamental to such a course. It is also strongly recommended that the student will have acquired at least basic performance skills in voice or on an instrument; students eligible for free/reduced lunch should check with their counselor about AP exam fee waivers.

The Chamber Chorale is a select mixed voice singing group determined through auditions each year. This group will take part in the same concerts and may be a part of the Symphonic Choir. They will also take part in many other public and school performances. Students auditioning for this group must have a high regard for all types of music and exhibit good self-discipline. Students will be required to attend extra rehearsals as needed. Students will also be required to purchase either all, or a portion of, their uniform. Auditions will be conducted during the second semester.

• Course Number: 622                   
• Duration: Full Year           
• Credits: 1                                                         
• Grade: 9-12        
• Fees: None

Additional: Permission of director required.

The Concert Choir is open to any student with a soprano-alto range. The choir is required to take part in the autumn, holiday, winter, and spring concerts; contests; festivals; etc.; and other events as announced by the director. Students will be given a schedule of events at the beginning of each year. The director will determine the final size of the choir.

• Course Number: 616SA               
• Duration: Full Year          
• Credits: 1                                                         
• Grade: 9-12        
• Fees: None

Additional: Permission of director required.

Symphonic Ensemble is a select SSA (soprano soprano alto) voice singing group chosen by audition each year. This group will take part in the same concerts and may be a part of the Chamber Ensemble. They will also take part in many other public and school performances. Students auditioning for this group must have a high regard for all types of music and exhibit good self-discipline. Students will be required to attend extra rehearsals as needed. Students will also be required to purchase either all or a portion of their uniform. Auditions will be conducted during the second semester.

• Course Number: 614      
• Duration: Full Year         
• Credits: 1           
• Grade: 9-12                       
• Fees: A pay-to-participate fee applies

Additional: Audition and permission of director required.

The Concert Choir is open to any student with a tenor-bass range. The choir is required to take part in the autumn, holiday, winter, and spring concerts; contests; festivals; etc.; and other events as announced by the director. Students will be given a schedule of events at the beginning of each year. The director will determine the final size of the choir.

Students will be given a schedule of events at the beginning of each year. The director will determine the final size of the choir.  Auditions will be conducted during second semester.

• Course Number: 616TB 
• Duration: Full Year         
• Credits: 1           
• Grade: 9-12                       
• Fees: None

Additional: Permission of director required.

This course covers the foundations of performance skills and practice. Students will study voice, body, characterization, basic text analysis, and the connection of these elements.

Students will also learn Theatre history and about theatre’s application as a business, stemming into marketing themselves as an actor. Students will also be required to perform small scenes and monologues. They will be assessed on their participation, quizzes, worksheets, group work, and performances.

• Course Number: 576                   
• Duration: Semester        
• Credits: .5                                                        
• Grade: 9-12        
• Fees: $5

Additional: None

This course is constructed as a higher-level continuation of Fundamentals of Acting and Theatre History. Students will engage in a challenging, complex study of specific acting techniques and practices. By focusing on various performance methods, etiquette, and preparation, students will develop in-depth character ability, progression, and script/character analysis.

In addition, students will learn the structures of musical theatre, and analyze a number of classical plays and view the corresponding films while comparing and contrasting the two. Students will be assessed on their participation, quizzes, worksheets, group work, projects, and performances.

• Course Number: 577                   
• Duration: Semester        
• Credits: .5                                                        
• Grade: 9-12        
• Fees: $5

Additional: Credit in Fundamentals of Acting and Theatre History required.

Actors’ Studio I is for those students who want to produce longer works. Class members will produce the holiday dinner­ theatre or other special events and help in the production of the fall play. This is an audition­-based course and instructor permits entry in this class.

• Course Number: 581                   
• Duration: Semester        
• Credits: .5                                                        
• Grade: 9-12        
• Fees: $5

Additional: Credit in Advanced Acting, Literature, and Film required.

Actors’ Studio II is for those students who want to produce longer works. Class members will produce the spring dinner­ theatre or other special events and help in the production of the spring musical. This is an audition-­based course and instructor permits entry in this class.

• Course Number: 582                   
• Duration: Semester        
• Credits: .5                                                        
• Grade: 10-12      
• Fees: $5

Additional: Credit in Actors’ Studio I required.

This course will introduce students to the art and formal ideologies of dance. Basic compositional techniques will be discussed and practiced, with an emphasis on principles such as weight, space, time, effort, and shape. The intent is to give students an awareness and reverence for the physical body and its athletic and expressive capabilities. Students will experience these elements through a variety of genres: modern dance, musical theatre dance, jazz, ballet, African and others. Introductory elements of dance choreography and performance are also included.

Principles of musicality will be considered and developed by each student. Working with each other as the raw material of the dance, students will develop short compositions that reveal their understanding of basic techniques. Students will come to understand a range of compositional possibilities available to artists who work with the medium of the human body.

• Course Number: 580                   
• Duration: Semester        
• Credits: .5                                                        
• Grade: 9-12        
• Fees: $5

Additional: Course only available at North