All vocal and instrumental ensembles that are offered in the music program are expected to perform at various school and civic functions. Attendance by participating members is required at these performances. There are fees and expenses involved in music performance groups that vary depending on the group. Consult the individual teacher for more information.

0.5 credit — Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
(1 period per day for 1 semester)
Prerequisites: None

This course will trace the history of music from its earliest beginnings to the present day, surveying the historical eras of Western music, popular music of the 20th and 21st Centuries and its roots, and music of various world cultures. Students should expect to listen to a wide variety of music, read about and discuss topics related to music and its historical contexts, and bring their own musical tastes and interests into the experience. This course is for any student who is interested in music; there is no performance requirement or musical background prerequisite.

0.5 credit — Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
(1 period per day for 1 semester)
Prerequisites: None

This semester course will cover the fundamentals of music theory, including melody, harmony, rhythm, and form. Students will study musical notation, rhythms, meter, scales, intervals, key signatures, chords, and forms, and emphasis will be given to music-reading and ear-training. The course will also cover harmonization and musical composition, and students will learn to analyze music harmonically. Students will also learn and utilize proper terminology for the various elements of music. This course is for any student who is interested in music; there is no performance requirement or musical background prerequisite.

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

(1 period per day for 1 year-)

Note: Students in the band program sign up for Band. Participation in band is a full year commitment and students are automatically placed into Marching Band for the beginning of the school year. After Marching Band season, students are reassigned to Symphonic or Concert Band based on auditions held near the end of the Marching Band season. New students who have a direct conflict with Friday night Marching Band performances, may request exclusion from Marching Band participation through the Director of Bands. Students who are granted exclusion from marching band performances must still meet the curricular requirements of marching band through music rehearsal, memorization, and marching movements during the first year.

0.5 credit - Semester 1

5 periods per week for 1 semester – begins at 7:30 am. – Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

The Marching Band performs for football games, parades, festivals, and other events during the fall season. Rehearsals are held daily during the marching season beginning at 7:30 am and extending through 1st period. Rehearsals for Marching Band begin in August before school begins.

0.5 credit — Grades 9, 10, 11

(1 period per day for 1 semester)

Prerequisites:  None

Independent Study for Band is designed for students who are still working toward proficiency on their band instrument with a goal of joining first period bands. Additionally, students who are changing band instruments to accommodate better instrumentation needs in first period bands and students who are working toward improving their skills on their primary band instrument are eligible for Independent Study Band.

0.5 credit — Semester 2

(Begins at the end of Marching Band season)

Prerequisites:  None

Symphonic Band: Selection of students is based on advanced proficiency and balanced instrumentation. A variety of appropriate band literature is studied and performed. Rehearsals are held daily after the close of marching season. The Symphonic Band presents at least two concerts during the year and performs at various school and community functions.

Concert Band: Membership is open to students demonstrating intermediate proficiency on a band instrument. A variety of appropriate band literature is studied and performed. Rehearsals are held daily after the close of marching season. The Concert Band presents at least two concerts per year and performs at various school and community functions.

Gold Band:  Membership is open to students demonstrating introductory and early high school level proficiency on a band instrument. A variety of appropriate band literature is studied and performed. Rehearsals are held daily after the conclusion of marching season and concert band auditions. The Gold Band presents at least two concerts per year and performs at various school and community functions

0.5 credit (by audition) — Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

2-3 times per week from 7–8:00 am. beginning after the conclusion of Marching Band 

Prerequisites:  None

0.5 credit (by audition) — Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

2-3 times per week from 7–8:00 am. beginning after the conclusion of Marching Band 

Prerequisites:  None

Membership in Jazz Ensemble is open, by audition or recommendation of the director, to musicians on the following instruments: trumpet, saxophone, trombone, guitar, bass, percussion and keyboard. Enrollment is limited by instrumentation. Music literature studied and performed includes jazz, rock, swing, pop, ballads, and fusion.

0.5 credit (by audition) — Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

2-3 times per week from 7–8:00 am. beginning after the conclusion of Marching Band 

Prerequisites:  None

Membership in Jazz Lab is open to students who are members in good standing of 1st period band. If the instrument is not taught in first period band, membership is determined by audition. Auditioned instrumentalists include percussion, guitar, bass, and keyboard. Jazz Lab focuses on learning the different fundamentals of different jazz styles and an introduction to the art of improvisation in an ensemble setting. Auditions for the rhythm section of Jazz Lab occur during late October or early November.

1 credit (by audition) — Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

1 period per day for 1 year

Prerequisites:  None

Symphony membership is open to students by audition and teacher recommendation. Symphony is an advanced level string orchestra. Musical literature is varied and includes all styles from Baroque to Contemporary. Performances are an outgrowth of the Symphony curriculum. Several performances and contests are scheduled each year both in and out of the community. Participation in performances is mandatory. This group travels bi-annually with students from the other orchestras to enrich student learning outside of the classroom. Every three years this group participates in an international trip or festival. Students who finish the year below a 93% average must re-audition for this class. Registration for Symphony is limited to the current members of Symphony.

0.5 credit (by audition) — Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

2-3 times per week 7-8:00 a.m. for 1 year

Prerequisites:  None

This orchestral ensemble is open to students by audition only. The Chamber Orchestra is an extension of Symphony and will allow advanced students to rehearse and perform music at a higher technical and musical level. Students must be members of the Symphony to participate in Chamber Orchestra. Qualified students must pass an audition and enroll through the instructor. Performances are an outgrowth of the Chamber Orchestra curriculum. Several performances and contests are scheduled each year. Participation in performances is mandatory. Registration for Chamber Orchestra is limited to the current members of Chamber Orchestra.

1 credit (by audition) — Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

1 period per day for 1 year

Prerequisites:  None

Concert Orchestra membership is open to students by audition and teacher recommendation. Musical literature is varied and includes all styles from Baroque to Contemporary periods. Performances are an outgrowth of the Concert Orchestra curriculum and designed to refine performance skills in preparation for Symphony. Several performances are scheduled each year both in and out of the community. Participation in performances is mandatory. This group travels bi-annually with students from the other orchestras to enrich student learning outside of the classroom. Students must complete the year with a 93% or higher to remain in the class. Registration for Concert Orchestra is limited to the current members of Chamber Orchestra.

1 credit — Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

1 period per day for 1 year

Prerequisites:  None

String Orchestra is open to all students with previous experience on a stringed instrument. Emphasis will be placed on improving individual and group performance skills. This class is designed to prepare a student for membership in Concert Orchestra or Symphony. Musical literature is varied and includes all styles from Baroque to Contemporary periods. Performances are an outgrowth of the String Orchestra curriculum. Several performances and contests are scheduled each year both in and out of the community. Participation in performances is mandatory. This group travels bi-annually with students from the other orchestras to enrich student learning outside of the classroom.

0.5 credit – Grade 9, 10
(3 periods per week for 1 year)
Prerequisites: None

Membership is open to all freshmen and sophomore students, regardless of singing experience or ability level. The course addresses beginning and intermediate levels of vocal technique and musicianship, with emphasis on vocal development through quality choral literature of various styles. It is important to note that this course is designed to still allow students a study hall two days per week. Concert Choir will perform evening concerts during the year for school and community events, as well as festivals and district/state contests. Additional evening rehearsals may be required. Attendance by participating members is required at all performances.

0.5 credit — Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

2 days per week 7:20 to 7:55 am for 1 year

Prerequisites:  None

Bel Canto membership is for all students with treble voices in grades 9-12. The course is designed to address multiple levels of vocal technique and musicianship. This course is a great answer for students whose schedule is completely full but still want to be involved in a singing ensemble. The course meets 2 days a week before school (0 hour). This also enables members of the orchestra and band departments to be involved in choral music. This all-inclusive course requires no audition for entry and emphasizes the development of treble voices through quality choral literature of various styles. Bel Canto performs on all Choral Department concerts as well as off campus events throughout the year. Occasional evening rehearsals may be required. Attendance is required at all performances.

0.5 credit — Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

2 days per week 7:20 to 7:55 a.m. for 1 year

Prerequisites:  None

Camerata is a tenor/bass vocal ensemble and membership is open to all students in grades 9-12. The course is designed to address multiple levels of vocal technique and musicianship. This course is a great answer for students whose schedule is completely full but still want to be involved in a singing ensemble. The course meets 2 days a week before school (0 hour). This also enables members of the orchestra and band departments to be involved in choral music. This all-inclusive course requires no audition for entry and emphasizes the development of tenor, baritone, and bass voices through quality choral literature of various styles. Camerata performs on all Choral Department concerts as well as festivals and district & state adjudicated events throughout the year. Occasional evening rehearsals may be required. Attendance is required at all performances.

1 credit — Grades 11, 12

1 period per day for 1 year

Symphonic Choir is open to all 11th and 12th grade students after completing a simple voice placement. The course is designed to improve the individual’s vocal technique and build upon an intermediate to advanced musicianship level. Quality SATB choral literature will be studied and rehearsed. The choir performs evening concerts during the year for school and community events, as well as festivals and district/state contests throughout the year. Additional evening rehearsals are required. Attendance by participating members is required at all performances.

1 credit — grades 10, 11, 12

1 period per day for 1 year

Membership is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors by audition only. Vocal Ensemble is an extension of Symphonic Choir and will allow advanced vocal students to rehearse and perform music at a higher technical and artistic level. Quality a cappella music of various styles will be studied. Members must have the ability to sing alone and yet blend with the ensemble. Several programs throughout the year will require the participant to dance as well as sing. The Vocal Ensemble performs evening concerts during the year for school and community events, as well as festivals and district/state contests throughout the year. Additional evening rehearsals are required. Attendance by participating members is required at all performances.

2.0 credits (one each year) —  Grades 11, 12

1 period per day for 2 years

The Higher Level (HL) course is designed for the music student who has a background or major interest in music performance. This student may intend to pursue music at university or conservatory level, perform in a professional band, or have the skills to perform at an advanced level. The HL music student must be able to read standard music notation and have rudimentary music theory skills as a prerequisite. Students will study world music, develop perceptual skills, and develop understanding through performance and composition.

To be awarded International Baccalaureate (IB) for this course, students must complete all Internal & External Assessments. Please consider this requirement when making your selections for course registration. Exam fees are paid for by the Upper Arlington School District.

 

1 credit — Grades 11, 12

IB Music SL is designed for the student who has a background in musical performance or composition, or with a general interest in music. Students will study world music, develop perceptual skills, and develop understanding through performance and composition.

To be awarded International Baccalaureate (IB) for this course, students must complete all Internal & External Assessments. Please consider this requirement when making your selections for course registration. Exam fees are paid for by the Upper Arlington School District.