Honors Chorale
1 credit
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Honors Grading Scale Prerequisite: audition required and Director Approval
Chorale is an auditioned, elite group specializing in small-ensemble and a cappella works, including madrigals and contemporary/pop literature. This ensemble will perform regularly in the school and community setting as the flagship choral ensemble of Christian Academy. Grades consist of regular participation, written and group assignments, sight singing exams, and performances. Participation outside of the regular school day is required and will be graded. A music fee of $50 will be assessed during the 1st semester. Auditions for Chorale will be held after registration for the current school year has closed.
Men’s Choir
1 credit
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Regular Grading Scale
Men’s Choir is a non-prerequisite class for young men, of all singing experience levels. This ensemble emphasizes the basic fundamental choral skills, which include music literacy, sight reading, vocal technique, and introductory music theory. They perform a variety of accompanied and a cappella standard choral literature for the male voice, and will also combine with the Women’s choir during concerts. Grades consist of daily participation, individual sight singing and rhythm quizzes, performances, and written assignments. Participation outside of the regular school day is required and will be graded. A music fee of $50 will be assessed during the 1st semester.
Women’s Choir
1 credit
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Regular Grading Scale
Women’s Choir is a non-prerequisite class for young women, of all singing experience levels. It is an introductory to intermediate level group, building on the basic fundamental choral skills which include music literacy, sight reading, vocal technique, and introductory music theory. This group performs a variety of accompanied and a cappella standard choral literature for the female voice at varying levels of difficulty, and will also combine with the Men’s Choir during concerts. Students will perform regularly throughout the semester in the school and community setting. Grades consist of daily participation, sight singing and rhythm quizzes, performances and written assignments. Participation outside of the regular school day is required and will be graded. A music fee of $50 will be assessed during the 1st semester.
Show Choir
1 credit
Grades 10, 11, 12
Regular Grading Scale
Prerequisite: High School Women’s Choir or Chorale, audition and Director Approval required, maximum 30 students
Show Choir is an auditioned, performance-based group specializing in Broadway, pop, musical theater repertoire. Students will have the opportunity to perform and compete in local and regional festivals and contests throughout the school year. Grades consist of daily participation, sight singing, choreography exams, rhythm quizzes, and performances. Participation outside of the regular school day is required and will be graded. A uniform rental fee will be collected at the beginning of the year for ladies dresses. Uniform dance shoes are required. Participation in this ensemble requires students to purchase dance shoes and ladies uniform dance tights. All uniforms and accessories will be rented and purchased through the choral department. A music fee of $50 will be assessed during the 1st semester. Auditions for Show Choir will be held after registration for the current school year has closed.
Percussion Ensemble
1 credit
Grades 9,10,11,12
Regular grading scale
Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in a primary music ensemble, Director approval
Percussion Ensemble is an instrumental music-performing group that is meant to further the development of playing techniques for marching, percussion, mallet, and auxiliary instruments. Participation by playing either a prepared solo or ensemble is a requirement for this course as well as performing at a concert at the end of the each semester.
Concert Band
1 credit
Grades 9
Regular Grading Scale
Prerequisite: Director Approval
The Concert Band is an instrumental music-performing group that will participate in concerts, chapel programs, music festivals, contests, and other school or community events. Participation outside of the regular school day is required and will be part of the grade. Pep band is required by selected members of the Concert Band and they will be expected to perform at selected home football and basketball events. A music fee of $50 will be assessed during the 1st semester.
Symphonic Band
1 credit
Grades 10, 11, 12
Regular Grading Scale
Prerequisite: Director Approval
This is a focused music-performing ensemble developing excellence through performance. They will participate in concerts, chapel programs, music festivals, contests, and other school or community events. Participation outside of the regular school day is required and will be part of the grade. Incoming 9th graders who were in Concert Band as an 8th grader have the opportunity to audition into this ensemble. A music fee of $50 will be assessed during the 1st semester.
Honors Wind Ensemble
1 credit
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Honors Grading Scale
Prerequisites: Audition only
This is a focused and intense music performing ensemble developing excellence in performance. They will participate in concerts, chapel programs, music festivals, contests, and other school or community events. Participation outside of the regular school day is required and will be part of the grade. A music fee of $50 will be assessed during the 1st semester.
Concert Orchestra
1 credit
Grades 9 (includes MS 8th grade)
Regular Grading Scale
Concert orchestra is an intermediate string ensemble for eighth and ninth grade students. As part of this class students will continue to develop intonation skills while learning more complex rhythmic patterns, time signatures, and multiple new key signatures. Students will also be introduced to higher positions (III position, IV position for cello), shifting, harmonics, and beginning vibrato. Concert orchestra performs at the KMEA large ensemble festival at the grade 3 level. A music fee of $50 will be assessed during the 1st semester.
Serenade Orchestra
1 credit
Grades 10, 11, 12
Regular Grading Scale
Serenade orchestra is an advancing string ensemble for tenth through twelfth grade students. Ninth grade students who study privately may audition for placement in this group. As part of this class students will begin to refine intonation in various keys. Students at this level are comfortable playing in and shifting to III position (IV position and extensions for cello) and are beginning to apply that knowledge in more advanced concert literature. Serenade orchestra performs at the KMEA large ensemble festival at the grade 4 level. A music fee of $50 will be assessed during the 1st semester.
Honors Chamber Orchestra
1 credit
Grades 10, 11, 12
Honors Grading Scale
Prerequisite: Audition only and Director Approval
Honors Chamber orchestra is an advanced string ensemble for tenth through twelfth grades. Students are admitted into Chamber Orchestra through audition and director approval. Students at this level are comfortable with III and V position (III IV cello) and basses play across strings in addition to higher shifting. These students have developed a polished vibrato and display flexibility in right wrist and fingers allowing for more advanced bow techniques such as spiccato and legato. Honors Chamber orchestra performs at the KMEA large ensemble festival at the grade 5-6 level. A music fee of $50 will be assessed during the 1st semester.
Conducting
1 credit
Grades 11, 12
Regular Grading Scale
Prerequisites: Band, Choir or Orchestra
The course is designed to expand and define the mechanical skills developed, particularly baton technique, usage of the left hand in conducting, and a deeper understanding of the musical score. In addition, attention is given to score preparation, to the understanding of transposition, rehearsal techniques, interpretation, and to the entire process of non-verbal communication necessary for successful communication as a conductor.
Group Piano
1 credit
Grades 9,10,11,12
Regular Grading Scale
Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in the School of the Arts and in a primary music ensemble, Director Approval Group
Piano is an opportunity for students within the School of the Arts to learn basic piano, music theory and performance skills. This course is meant to allow students the opportunity to prepare for group piano requirements as a college music major.
Jazz Band
1/2 credit
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Regular Grading Scale
Prerequisites: Director Approval
The Jazz Band is an instrumental music group that meets before school on Tuesday and Thursday. The group will be expected to play in concerts, chapel programs, music festivals, contests, and other school or community events. Participation outside of regular school day will be required and graded. This course does not meet during the regular school day, but before school two mornings a week and cannot be selected during online registration. Students will be scheduled manually after auditions.
Honors Jazz Band
1/2 credit
Grades 11, 12
Honors Grading Scale
Prerequisites: Audition and Director Approval
The Honors Jazz Band will be the elite instrumental music group that meets before school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The group will be expected to play in concerts, chapel programs, music festivals, contests, and other school or community events. Participation outside of regular school day will be required and graded. A paper covering course topics such as jazz theory, improvisation, history and transformation of jazz will be required. This course does not meet during the regular school day, but before school to three mornings a week and cannot be selected during online registration. Students will be scheduled manually after auditions.
Music History
1 credit
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Regular Grading Scale
Students will be engaged in a walk through musical history. Starting with early music B.C. all the way to today’s most popular hits. The course aims to widen the musical horizons and receptiveness of the standard listener, making him/her a more understanding listener to radio, television, and professional concerts. Dual Credit Opportunity.
AP Music Theory
1 credit
Grades 11, 12
AP Grading Scale Prerequisites: A or B in Music Theory and History or teacher approval
AP Music Theory is an in-depth look into ways of understanding and making music on a collegiate level. In this class we will review the basics of reading music and take an integrated approach to harmony, ear training, and compositional techniques which will better prepare students for not only the AP college exam but also the entrance exam for any college music department. A testing fee is charged for this course.