Students who enroll in Band and Orchestra are required to enroll for the entire year. This enables instruction to progress throughout the year without having to spend time reviewing at the beginning of each semester. Students enrolled in Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble must participate in Marching Band during the first quarter.

Marching Band performs at all home football games. The Director may choose to participate in College sponsored band days and regional or state contest as approved by the CHSAA. Due to performance requirements at the beginning of the school year, rehearsals of sections or the entire band could begin one month prior to the opening of school. Students are expected to attend all extra rehearsals outside of school time. Attendance at all scheduled performances is required and is considered part of the student’s grade.

MUSIC/PERFORMING ARTS CLASSES

Band:                        Mr. Ward               328-4755

Choir:                        Mr. Peckham        328-7370

Orchestra:                Mr. Rodine            328-7347

Theater:                    Mrs. LaBandt        328-0869

Students who enroll in Band/Choir/Orchestra are required to enroll for the entire year. This enables instruction to progress throughout the year without having to spend time reviewing at the beginning of each semester.

MARCHING BAND

Course Length: 1 Semester (Fall)       Grade Level: 9-12

Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: Prior band experience and Director’s approval

This after-school section is the competitive marching band at Palmer. This select group competes in CBA marching competitions around the state and at the Director’s discretion, also competes in out-of-state festivals and competitions. The marching band performs at half-time for home football games as well as various parades and community functions. Due to performance demands and requirements, Marching Band rehearsals, band camps (both locally and out of town, usually on a college or university campus) and practices begin up to two weeks prior to the opening of school. These practices and rehearsals are mandatory and part of the regular schedule. Members are required to attend all rehearsal and practices that are scheduled after school, on ‘teacher work days’, and on some Saturdays. The Color Guard is a part of Marching Band and has the same requirements listed above plus additional Guard practices and clinics. All rehearsals, practices, sectionals, and performances are part of the student’s grade.

COLOR GUARD

Course Length: 1 Semester (Fall)        Grade Level: 9-12

Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: Band Director’s approval

The Color Guard is a part of Marching Band and has the same requirements as listed above for the Marching Band plus their own additional practices and clinics. All rehearsals, practices, and performances are part of the student’s grade.

WINTER GUARD

Course Length: 1 Semester (Spring) Grade Level: 9-12

Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: Band Director’s approval

Winter Guard is the spring semester continuation of Color Guard and may perform with the pep bands at various games, events, and parades. After the competitive marching season ends (usually in early November) Winter Guard begins and continues to the end of second semester.

Competitive in nature, Winter Guard will compete on the local and state levels throughout the season. Winter Guard provides an opportunity for members of the Color Guard to improve their skills and for new members to develop skills for the next Marching Band season. Participation in all practices, clinics, competitions, and performances (pep band) is required and is part of the student’s grade. Additional fees and cost are part of Winter Guard.

CONCERT BAND 1,2

Course Length: 2 Semesters                Grade Level: 9-12

Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: One year of successful band experience

This is a Level II high school instrumental music class. Some playing experience is necessary to enroll in this class. This band is a training group to prepare students with skills necessary to participate in a Level III (Symphonic) band class. Literature is geared to the member's abilities with emphasis being placed on improvement of tone quality, reading skills, musicianship, and technical proficiency. This band may participate in music festivals and contests at the discretion of the director and performs for school and community events throughout the school year. Attendance at scheduled performances, sectionals, and additional rehearsals is required and is part of the student's grade.

SYMPHONIC BAND 1,2

Course Length: 2 Semesters                Grade Level: 10-12

Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: Director’s approval

This band is designed to help prepare students with skills necessary to participate in Wind Ensemble and Marching Band. Literature is geared to the members' abilities with emphasis being placed on improvement of tone quality, reading skills, musicianship, and the technical proficiency required for more advanced literature and performance. Symphonic Band is also part of the marching/pep band and performs at pep assemblies, half time at home football games, parades and community events. This band may participate in music festivals and contests at the discretion of the director and performs for school and community events throughout the school year. Attendance at scheduled performances, sectionals, and additional rehearsals is required and is part of the student's grade.

WIND ENSEMBLE 1,2

Course Length: 2 Semesters                Grade Level: 10-12

Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: Membership in Marching Band, Director’s approval, and a successful audition

Wind Ensemble is a select ensemble of 35 - 52 members selected from the marching band. Wind Ensemble is the concert group of the marching band. Membership is by audition only and is open to those members of marching band who demonstrate the highest level of technical skill, musicianship, and dedication. Wind Ensemble is a very demanding performance-oriented ensemble that meets fall and spring semesters. Membership in this group is subject to the Director’s approval and any member will be removed if the Director deems their requisite skills and their apparent dedication as substandard at any time. Participation in concerts during the regular school day, evenings, at community events, as well as Large Group Festival are part of the requirements and are a part the student’s grade.

PERCUSSION 1,2

Course Length: 2 Semesters                Grade Level: 10-12

Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: One year of successful band experience and Director’s approval. Audition may be required.

This course is designed for those students who have selected percussion as their instrument of choice. The students in this class will make up the marching band drum line. Drum set instruction will be very limited.

JAZZ ENSEMBLE 1,2

Course Length: 2 Semesters                Grade Level: 10-12

Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: Two years of successful band experience and Director’s approval. Audition may be required.

This is a Level II high school instrumental music class. Some playing experience is necessary to enroll in this class. Only those students who demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of their instruments will be considered for inclusion in this group. Basic instrumentation includes saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass, guitar, and trap set. Jazz ensemble performs at jazz festivals, assemblies, concerts, and community events. This band provides an opportunity for the student to study and perform music in the jazz idiom. Attendance at scheduled performances is required and is considered part of the student's grade. Ability to perform on an instrument at Level II or beyond. Ability to read Level II musical notation. Ability to write basic musical notation. Ability to identify and understand musical structure.

CONCERT STRINGS 1,2

Course Length: 2 Semesters                Grade Level: 9-12

Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: Instructor Approval

Concert Strings is an introductory class to secondary instrumental strings and ensemble performance. This is a training group to prepare students to participate in upper- level performance classes. Emphasis is placed on developing technique, music reading skills and basic ensemble playing. Attendance at scheduled performances is required and is considered part of the student’s grade.

SYMPHONIC STRINGS 1,2

Course Length: 2 Semesters                Grade Level: 9-12

Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: At least two years prior experience on selected instrument and instructor approval.

Symphonic Strings is an intermediate performance class that builds on skills students have acquired in previous instrumental study. Emphasis is placed on developing skills specific to each instrument while contributing meaningfully to an ensemble. Literature is geared to the members’ abilities with emphasis being placed on improvement of tone quality, reading skills and technical proficiency. This ensemble may participate at music festivals/contests at the discretion of the director. Attendance at scheduled performances is required and is considered part of the student’s grade.

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA 1,2 (Advanced Level) Course Length: 2 Semesters      Grade Level: 9-12 Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: Level 3 high school instrumental music class or Instructor's approval through audition

Chamber Orchestra aims to develop an understanding and appreciation of various musical styles and genres through performance. Emphasis is placed on the improvement of ensemble playing. Members of this ensemble are selected to perform for school and community events throughout the year. This ensemble participates in various music festivals/contests. Students selected for Chamber Orchestra demonstrate an above-average understanding of their instrument and display a high level of musical sophistication through their performance. Attendance at scheduled performances is required and is considered part of the student’s grade.

MEN’S CHOIR (TENOR TENOR BAR BASS) 1,2

Course Length: 2 Semesters                Grade Level: 9-12

Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: None

This choir is open to tenors, baritones, and basses with or without previous choral experience. This choir performs in school and community concerts during the school year. This choir provides an opportunity for the student to develop vocal skills and musical knowledge as well as perform literature written for tenor, baritone, and bass voices. Attendance at scheduled performances is required and is considered part of the student’s grade.

WOMEN’S CHOIR (SOP SOP ALTO ALTO) 1,2

Course Length: 2 Semesters                Grade Level: 9-12

Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: None

This choir is open to sopranos and altos with or without previous vocal experience. This choir performs in school and community concerts during the school year. This choir may also perform at one festival during the school year. This choir provides an opportunity for students to develop vocal skills and musical knowledge, as well as perform literature written for soprano and alto voices. Attendance at scheduled performances is required and is considered part of the student's grade.

JAZZ CHOIR 1,2 (Advanced Choir)

Course Length: 2 Semesters                Grade Level: 9-12

Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: Audition and recommendation from former music teacher.

Jazz Choir is an advanced choir made up of highly motivated young singers. Singers must be able to sing solos and intricate harmony. Much of the music sung is in three to six parts. Jazz styles will be emphasized. Attendance at scheduled performances is required and is considered part of the student's grade.

CHAMBER SINGERS 1,2 (Highest Level Choir) Course Length: 2 Semesters       Grade Level: 10-12 Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: Student Audition and Interview by the Instructor

The Palmer High School Chamber Singers sing choral works from all genres. Dedication and commitment are required to be selected to sing in this choir. Strong choral and reading skills are highly recommended. Attendance at scheduled performances is required and is considered part of the student's grade

MUSIC THEORY 1,2

Course Length: 2 Semesters                Grade Level: 9-12

Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: Permission from Instructor

This course is designed to develop and strengthen skills in music fundamentals, ear training, elementary harmony, and composition. These skills will be developed through reading, writing, and singing music with some elementary keyboard experience. Study of the various styles and forms will lead to an awareness and appreciation of music history from antiquity to the 21st century.

ACTING TECHNIQUES 1 and 2

Course Length: 1 Semester each        Grade Level: 9-12

Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: None

Acting Techniques I covers advanced methods of acting; styles, improvisation, stage movement, dialects, play and character analysis, monologue and scene performance.

ACTING TECHNIQUES 3 and 4

Course Length: 1 semester each         Grade Level: 10-12

Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: Acting Techniques 1,2 or Teacher Approval

Acting Technique covers advanced methods of acting: styles, improvisation, stage movement, dialects, play and character analysis, and scene performance.

STAGECRAFT 1,2

Course Length: 2 Semester                  Grade Level: 9-12

Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities)

Prerequisite: Teacher Approval

This is primarily a hands-on lab course in backstage work. Students will learn basic tools and facilities. They will be involved in maintaining the stage and working on theatrical productions. Areas covered will be scenery construction, lighting, make-up, costuming, and general stage operation.

IBMYP THEATRE ARTS 1 HONORS

Course Length: 1 Semester                  Grade Level: 9,10

Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Elective)

Prerequisite: Recommended for students taking multiple core honors classes in 9th and/or 10th grade

IBMYP Theatre Arts provides students with opportunities to develop their interests in all aspects of theatrical art and performance. This course introduces students to theatre history, technical work, performance skills, and the elements of stage production.