Music Honors Option

Juniors and seniors can elect to receive weighted credit in band, choir, and orchestra. Students participate in the IMEA audition first quarter and then work on solo literature. A performance is given each quarter to showcase progress. Students develop short and long term goals, and create a music portfolio over the course of the year.

GUITAR

MU55033 Beginning Guitar

No prerequisite

This class is open to any student with little or no previous training on the guitar. This class combines group instruction with supervised practice. Students will learn to read and play music in a developmental sequence. Elements of basic guitar technique will be studied including tuning, fingering, basic strum patterns, elementary chords, and reading music notation. Second semester will deal with more advanced strum patterns, bar chords, and classical guitar techniques.
Semesters: 2

MU55053 Guitar Ensemble

Prerequisites: Beginning Guitar or Consent of Instructor.

Guitar Ensemble is for guitarists wishing to continue studies of Guitar playing after Beginning Guitar or for students who already have guitar skills and can read music. The Guitar Ensemble will perform at school concerts and community events, as well as study music of these styles: Classical, Jazz, World, Rock, Alternative, and other varieties of popular music.
Semesters: 2

STRINGS

MU15073 Symphony Orchestra

Prerequisite: Membership by audition.

This course is open to those who play violin, viola, cello, or string bass. Activities include the study of advanced symphony orchestra and string orchestra compositions from various style periods of music history. Emphasis is placed upon interpretation, ensemble skills, style, and individual tone quality and intonation. This group performs regularly during the school year. All string students enrolled in orchestra can expect to spend at least one additional period per week in section rehearsal.
Semesters: 2

MU25113 Chamber Strings

MU25123 Chamber Strings Honors

Prerequisite: Membership by audition.

String students seeking the highest level of performance in the orchestra may audition for Chamber Strings. Chamber Music is used for community performances, and students study advanced string techniques and IMEA music.
Semesters: 2

VOCAL

MU15043 Mixed Chorus

No prerequisite

Mixed chorus is a group designed for beginning singers at all grade levels. Students will learn fundamentals of singing technique, music theory, and ear-training skills. This choir will perform at all concerts throughout the year.
Semesters: 2

MU25083 Treble Choir

Prerequisite: Membership by audition.

The Treble Choir is a beginning performing group, featuring a variety of musical styles in soprano/alto literature. Membership is based on audition or approval of instructor. Students will learn correct vocal technique and improve rhythmic and tonal skills. This choir will perform in all choir concerts as well as for occasional festivals and community performances.
Semesters: 2

MU35093 Concert Choir

MU35193 Concert Choir Honors

Prerequisite: Membership by audition

The Concert Choir is an advanced performing group featuring a variety of musical styles in mixed soprano/alto/tenor/bass literature. Membership is based on audition or approval of instructor. Rhythmic and tonal skills and the ability to read music and perform in a large ensemble will be the emphasis of learning. This choir will perform in all choir concerts as well as for occasional festivals and community performances.
Semesters: 2

WINDS & PERCUSSION

MU25063 Wind Ensemble

MU25163 Wind Ensemble Honors

Prerequisite: Membership by audition.

The Wind Ensemble includes students who have attained a high level of proficiency on their instrument. Musical ability and a positive mental attitude, along with a desire to achieve fine musical results, are the prime requisites for this organization. The band performs at athletic events, parades, concerts, and contests. The individual members prepare solos and participate in small ensembles for the class and, if they wish, for competitions. Attendance at sectionals is required. Membership in the band is through audition or permission of the director.
Semesters: 2

OTHER MUSIC COURSES OFFERED DISTRICT-WIDE

MU55023 Class Piano

No prerequisite

This course is designed for students who wish to learn basic keyboard skills or to improve on skills already learned. Students will learn how to read musical notation and use basic fingerings and chord patterns. In the second semester, sight-reading, improvisation and harmonization will be studied.
Semesters: 2

MU54123 AP Music Theory

Prerequisite: 4 music credits with a “B” average.

This high-weighted course will examine the fundamentals of musical structure through many different techniques including written analysis, listening, composing ear training, singing, and playing. Elements of music, music history, music analysis, and aural skills will be studied and developed. Students will be prepared to take the AP Music Theory Exam at the end of the course.
Semesters: 2

Additional courses offered at Addison Trail HS:

MU15013 Symphonic Band

Prerequisite: Membership by audition

This band is for all freshmen, and for sophomore, junior, and senior students who have previous band experience. Emphasis is given to the development of musicianship through scales, arpeggios, and suitable literature. The band performs at athletic events, parades, concerts, and contests. The individual members prepare solos and participate in small ensembles for the class and, if they wish, for competitions. Attendance at sectionals is required. Students who successfully complete the performance objectives may advance to the Wind Ensemble.
Semesters: 2

MU55205 Music, Society, & Culture

No prerequisite

History comes alive with great art and the stories behind it! This one-semester course examines the Political, Economic, Cultural, and Social relationships between events in our world and the driving force that Music has had on shaping those events. Course content will be based on the Illinois State Standards for Social Studies and for Fine Arts. Critical thinking skills, active listening skills, and musical understanding will be taught while students engage in units of study about the power of ideas, human rights, prohibition and jazz, and the economics of the digital age. This course meets the graduation requirement for Fine Arts or Social Studies elective credit.
Semesters: 1

MU35103 Jazz Ensemble

Prerequisite: Membership by audition.

The Jazz Ensemble is an ensemble that performs jazz/rock and other styles. Any student may audition for Jazz Ensemble. Rehearsals are held at mutually convenient times for the students and teacher and performances are given at school concerts and community events. Emphasis will be on developing each student's improvisational skills and the ability to perform different styles of music.
Semesters: 2

Additional courses offered at Willowbrook HS:

MU55193 Percussion Method

Prerequisite: None

Percussionists not in the Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble enroll in Percussion Methods. Technique on snare drum, keyboard instruments, and timpani is emphasized. Members of this class form the percussion section for the Symphonic Band and the Freshman Band. Non-freshman percussionists are members of the Marching Band and all class members will participate in Pep Band. Percussion ensemble is also a featured part of this class.
Semesters: 2

MU15203 Freshman Band

Prerequisite: Membership in middle school band or audition for the teacher.

The Freshman Band groups together all ninth grade wind players. Concentrated drill on the major and minor scales and arpeggios is emphasized as well as basic rhythmic counting. Students will gain an understanding of the basic performance skills needed for the high school level. Freshman Band will perform in formal concerts at least four times a year. In addition, marching fundamentals will be presented. The Freshman Band members will perform with the Marching Warriors in selected parades and with the pep band at home basketball games. The Freshman Band may also provide opportunity for participation in band contests or festivals and for solo and ensemble performance.
Semesters: 2

MU15013 Symphonic Band

Prerequisite: Membership by audition

This band is for all sophomore, junior, and senior students who have previous band experience. Emphasis is given to the development of musicianship through scales, arpeggios, and suitable literature. The band performs at athletic events, parades, concerts, and contests. The individual members prepare solos and participate in small ensembles for the class and, if they wish, for competitions. Attendance at sectionals is required.
Semesters: 2