AP Music Theory is a highly challenging course, geared toward the more serious music student. If a student intends to study music in college, this class is an excellent way to get a head start. This class focuses on all elements in music. Students spend time studying key signatures, chord progressions, ear training, sight singing, and arranging.

This course is for the student who is interested in music but may lack musical experience and or knowledge necessary for participation in the rigor of the other band selections. Students learn to count and read music, as well as learn to play basics on woodwind and brass instruments. Some prior knowledge or previous experience is helpful, but not necessary.

Beginning Guitar introduces students to the fundamentals of music and guitar-playing techniques, such as strumming and chords. This class allows students to develop guitar skills in a variety of genres, encourages them to use those skills to increase their appreciation of music, and use their knowledge to compose their own songs.

This course is for the beginning percussion student. Students learn to count and read music as well as learn the playing basics. The school provides instruments, but students need to purchase their own concert sticks, marching sticks, and mallets.

First semester, this course is combined with the Marching Band. They perform at home football games, pep assemblies, and parades. The band travels to most away football games and to several marching competitions in the fall. Second semester, the team branches away from the band program, and performs an indoor show and competes across the state of Arizona. There is a band camp before school starts. A physical is needed for this activity. Please contact the band instructor for information. This is a performance-based class for a grade. Grades are taken in and outside of regular class time. The first semester of this class may be applied to a semester of PE credit for students. This course does not fulfill university Fine Arts requirements.

Students learn how to read and play notated music, learn traditional and Barre chords, read, and use guitar tablature. Students of Guitar I are to develop a basic understanding of guitar performance and learn about the history of guitar.

Students learn how to read and play notated music, learn traditional and Barre chords, major and minor scales, arpeggios, power chords, use of palm muting, read and use guitar tablature, playing the blues and performing solo and ensemble guitar literature. Students of Guitar II are to are to develop a basic understanding of guitar, learn about the history of guitar, perform guitar repertoire, and apply music theory.

Students continue to define skills in reading and playing notated music, traditional and Barre chords, major and minor scales, arpeggios, power chords, use of palm muting, guitar tablature, playing the blues and performing solo and ensemble guitar literature. Students of Guitar III are to develop a basic understanding of guitar performance, learn about the history of guitar, perform guitar repertoire, and apply music theory. A primary focus of this course is ensemble playing.

The Independent Study of Instrumental Music course provides individuals with instruction in instrumental literature and techniques. This course may be conducted either individually or in a small group; formal and informal performances are typically included as well as experiences in creating and responding to music. This course may be repeated for credit pending teacher recommendation.

Jazz Band is open to students who are interested in improving their jazz skills and performance. This is an audition-only group that performs many outside events/concerts in the school and in our community. Students are expected to attend all scheduled activities. This is a performance-based class, and performances are part of the overall grade received for the class. A student’s overall assessment for this class includes class-related activities that take place inside and outside of the regular class time.

The Marching Band performs at all home football games, pep assemblies, and parades. The band travels to several marching competitions in and out of state in the fall. In addition to regular class time, the band rehearses on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. All Color Guard members and percussionists also participate in all Marching Band activities. There is a required Band Camp before school starts. This is a performance-based class for a grade. Grades are taken in and outside of regular class time. A physical is needed for this activity. Please contact the band instructor for information. This class may be applied to a semester of PE credit.

This class performs with the Marching Band and Symphonic Band. They perform at home football games, pap assemblies, and parades. The band travels to most away football games and to several marching competitions in the fall. In addition to regular class time, this class is designed to give the percussion student the time and dedication he/she deserves. In the fall, students concentrate on marching percussion. In the spring, students learn the same repertoire as the concert bands. They also perform percussion ensemble pieces. There is a Band Camp before school starts. A physical is needed for this activity. This is a performance-based class for a grade. Grades are taken in and outside of regular class time. This class may be repeated for credit. The first semester of this class may be applied to a semester of PE credit.

Symphonic Band is for the more proficient instrumentalist who has a good background in playing an instrument. This ensemble performs several times a year. Students work to improve overall musicianship, quality of performance, and knowledge of music. All percussionists will also participate in all Symphonic Band activities but should sign up for Percussion Ensemble. This course may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: Previous band experience. Honors credit is available for this course. Please see the instructor for specific criteria.