Music 24 - 25
All Music courses will count for Fine Art credit. Students need 1.0 Fine Art credit to graduate.
CHOIRS
6034 MIXED CHOIR
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 9-12
Mixed Choir is a non-auditioned vocal ensemble available to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students will study and perform a wide variety of choral repertoire from multiple musical time periods throughout the year. Special emphasis will be placed on music literacy, vocal production, and ensemble sound. Instruction will also include the places of dynamic balance and the structures and movements of breathing. Participation in 4 evening concerts throughout the year is mandatory. Mixed Choir may also participate in after-school rehearsals, choral festivals, contests, trips, and other community performances.
6040 CONCERT CHOIR
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 9-12, audition required
Concert Choir is an auditioned vocal ensemble available to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students will study and perform a wide variety of advanced choral repertoire from multiple musical time periods throughout the year. Students will continue to develop advanced skills in sight-reading, vocal technique, body awareness, and ensemble sound. Participation in 4 evening concerts throughout the year is mandatory. Concert Choir may also participate in after-school rehearsals, choral festivals, contests, trips, and other community performances.
6010 CHAMBER CHOIR
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 10-12, audition required
Chamber Choir is an auditioned vocal ensemble available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students will study and perform a wide variety of advanced choral repertoire from multiple musical time periods throughout the year, focusing primarily on a cappella literature. Students will continue to develop advanced skills in sight-reading, performance practice, vocal pedagogy, body awareness, and ensemble sound. Participation in 4 evening concerts throughout the year is mandatory. Students in Chamber Choir are required to audition for the SLSMEA All-Suburban Honor Choir. Chamber Choir may also participate in after-school rehearsals, choral festivals, contests, trips, and other community performances. Note: An application for an Honors grade may be requested in this course.
STATESMEN BANDS
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: Audition
Band is a year-long course which provides serious musicians a wide variety of musical opportunities.
FALL
6065 BAND
The major focus of the early part of this semester will be marching band, in addition to gaining valuable musical concepts, experiences and marching fundamentals, will be on teamwork and a cooperative atmosphere. However, students will also meet in concert band ensembles, too. Band members are expected to attend all scheduled rehearsals and performances. Performances will include two summer parades, home and playoff football games, two fall parades and additional community performances. There will be a mandatory summer band camp in late July/ early August. Students will prepare a December concert band performance, as well. The previous spring, all band students will audition for placement in either Wind Symphony or Symphonic Band (second nine weeks and spring—placement following auditions).
OR
SPRING
6055 WIND SYMPHONY
The Wind Symphony is a select group of students who demonstrate exemplary musicianship. Students are expected to attend all scheduled rehearsals, concerts, and contests. Grades are earned through attendance, individual performance requirements, and a semester exam. Annual performances will include the Winter Concert, State MSHSAA Contest, Spring Concert, and commencement. Students may also audition for the SLSMEA Honor Bands and Solo/Ensemble contest. Note: An application for an Honors grade may be requested in this course.
OR
6056 SYMPHONIC BAND
The Symphonic Band is composed of students who have demonstrated a high standard of musicianship. Members are expected to attend all regular rehearsals, concerts, and contests scheduled in the spring semester. The Symphonic Band performs at the Winter Concert and Spring Concert. A select group will perform at Large Ensemble Contest. Students may also audition for the SLSMEA Honor Bands and Solo/Ensemble Festival.
6080/81 JAZZ BANDS
Credit: Jazz I - 1/2 unit; All others - 1/4 unit per year
Open to Grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: Audition
Jazz band students are members of the band program at Webster Groves High School. Jazz Band is a year-long course. Participation in the Jazz Bands is by audition only. Jazz I auditions will be held in August, and Jazz II auditions will take place in September. All members (except guitarists, pianists, and bassists) must be enrolled in 6050 Band or 6060. Students will receive a letter grade in this course.
ORCHESTRAS
There is a uniform requirement for the WGHS Orchestra Program, and uniforms are the responsibility of the student. We commit to working with students and families to assist if needed. Fundraising opportunities will be discussed in class.
6053 CONCERT ORCHESTRA
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: 1-2 years of playing experience, no audition
This course is a non-audition ensemble designed to acclimate orchestra students to the WGHS Orchestra Program. Students will study shifting, posture, bow techniques, and vibrato, as well as continuing to learn literature from a variety of composers and styles. This course will give at least three concerts throughout the year.
6075 SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: Audition required
The Symphonic Orchestra is an auditioned performing ensemble that focuses on advancing each student's string technique, including shifting to higher positions, vibrato, and advanced bowing techniques, while emphasizing the importance of group performance. By observing and listening to others, students will develop their analysis and critical thinking skills. This class will perform music intermediate literature from a variety of historical periods, as well as studying music theory. Members are expected to attend all rehearsals, concerts, festivals, and contests.
6052 SILVER STRINGS
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: Audition required
This advanced orchestra is for students who are seriously committed to the art of music practice and performance. This class involves the study, rehearsal, and performance of higher level music literature from all historical periods. Students will study higher positions, performance refinement, and advanced bowing techniques. Members are expected to attend all performances and private lessons are encouraged. Students are also encouraged to audition for honor orchestras on the local, state and/or national level. Students also should participate in district solo and ensemble contests. Note: An application for an Honors grade may be requested in this courses.
6061 STATESMEN STRING ENSEMBLE
Credit: 1 unit
Open to Grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: Audition required
This advanced orchestra is for students who are seriously committed to the art of music practice and performance and planning on continuing their orchestra experience beyond high school. This class involves the study, rehearsal, and performance of complex music literature from all historical periods. Members are expected to attend all performances. This group is open to strings students admittance into the ensemble is by audition only. Students are also required to audition for honor orchestra on the local, state and/or national level. Students are also required to perform in district solo and ensemble contest. There are some outside of school rehearsals that may be required. Note: An application for an Honors grade may be requested in this course.
OTHER MUSIC CLASSES
6125 CLASS PIANO I
Credit: 1/2 unit
Open to Grades: 9-12
This semester course is designed for beginners in keyboard music but students at more advanced levels are welcome. Ninety percent of class time is "hands-on" training at individual digital pianos. A basic method book is used, but students have choices in supplementary music. Activities include written work in music theory, solo performances and experience in playing ensemble music. Students will also be introduced to the use of technology in the field by working with current software.
6145 CLASS PIANO II
Credit: 1/2 unit
Open to Grades: 9-12
Prerequisites: Class Piano I or instructor's permission
This semester course is a continuation of lessons begun in Class Piano I. Students will work on an individualized course of study and will extend their study of music theory. Music history will be investigated, with an emphasis on the evolution of keyboard music. Note: Students may enroll in the class by audition, if they have not taken Class Piano I
6160 CLASS GUITAR I
Credit: 1/2 unit
Open to Grades: 9-12
Guitar I is designed for beginning guitar students and is not recommended for students who are studying guitar privately. Students will learn to play chordal accompaniments and solo arrangements which incorporate both melody and chords. Students will learn standard musical symbols as they apply to guitar.
6180 CLASS GUITAR II
Credit: 1/2 unit
Open to Grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: Class Guitar I or instructor approval
Guitar II is a continuation of Guitar I with more emphasis on ensemble playing. The music studied will contain more advanced chords, melodies, rhythms, and strumming patterns. Students who have studied guitar elsewhere may be admitted only with instructor’s approval after a successful audition.
6200 MUSIC THEORY I
Credit: 1/2 unit
Open to Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Teacher approval and competency in Reading Music notation
This course is available to students who have an above average background in music, or plan to pursue a music major or minor in college. The course will include an in-depth study of the elements of music such as scales, intervals, harmonic construction, rhythm, meter and ear training. Note: An application for an Honors grade may be requested in this course.
6225 AP MUSIC THEORY
Credit: 1/2 unit
Open to Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Music Theory I (only offered in the spring term of even numbered years)
A continuation of Music Theory I, AP Music Theory will emphasize analysis and composition with continued work in ear training and sight singing. This course is designed for music students planning to major or minor in some form of music. The ultimate goal of the course is to prepare students to take the AP Theory exam that is offered toward the end of the year. Students who pass may earn college credit at a number of colleges and universities. While not all students will likely attain this level of success, the instruction and practice in this course will serve to greatly enhance and improve a student’s ability to recognize, understand, analyze, and describe the aspects and processes of music that is heard or seen on a score. Students will engage in a variety of written, singing, and compositional exercises that teach them the many aspects of musical composition and analysis. It is strongly recommended that students take Music Theory 1 and AP Music Theory consecutively. Note: An application for an Honors grade may be requested in this course.
6049 MUSIC ENGINEERING
Credit: ½ unit
Open to Grades: 9-12
Create, produce, perform! Students will learn how to manipulate music by creating medley mixes, music re-arranging, and exploring the digital world of music. Digital audio and MIDI will be used and incorporated to create music files. Students will learn basic concepts on making beats and music patterns to be used in music production.