Instramental Music

BEGINNING CLASSROOM GUITAR
0.5 FA Credit   Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Course Overview:
This course is designed for students with little to no previous guitar experience. Students will receive guidance and direction in solving problems related to playing the guitar on a beginning level and will learn many of the different styles, skills, and techniques required to become a successful musician. Areas of concentration include: correct posture, note reading, rhythmic patterns, chord study, melody construction, musical forms, tablature notation, improvisation, and performing experiences. Students may be issued an instrument for school use, and are encouraged (but not required) to have their own guitar at home for practice. Formal and informal performances are typically included. Can be retaken for credit one time.

CONCERT  BAND
1 FA Credit      Grade 9

Course Overview:
Designed for the 9^th grade high school musician with at least one year of experience on a band instrument. Musicians will study music theory as it relates to the wind band genre, and will discuss the historical and cultural aspects of wind band music. Students will study and perform musical literature in traditional and contemporary wind band styles. Musical literature will be selected based on the instrumentation and skill of the group’s individuals. It is the intent that music will be selected throughout the year that will be both challenging and achievable to different members of the ensemble. Students will perform at approximately 3 concerts and 1 festival every year. Members of this ensemble are also members of the Gresham Gopher Pep Band. This band represents Gresham High School in the Mount Hood Conference. This course may be repeated for credit.    

Special Requirements: Membership by instructor’s approval. Members of this ensemble are required to attend all performances, both during and outside of the regular school day. A calendar is provided at the beginning of the school year.  This is a yearlong course and is not available for a single semester. Students must provide performance attire.

JAZZ BAND
1 FA Credit      Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Course Overview:
This course is designed for advanced high school musicians. Musicians will study music theory as it relates to jazz genres, and will discuss the historical and cultural aspects of jazz. Students will also study and perform advanced literature in traditional and contemporary jazz styles. Study of music theory will be related to both the performance of literature and improvisation. Students will perform at approximately 4 concerts and 3 festivals every year. This band represents Gresham High School in the Mount Hood Conference. The ensemble travels out of state every other year.  This course may be repeated for credit.

Special Requirements: Concurrent enrollment in Concert Band,9th Grade Band, Symphonic Band Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble or Percussion Ensemble (except for select guitar and piano players). Membership is earned through audition and instructor's approval only. Members of this ensemble are required to attend all performances, both during and outside of the regular school day. A calendar is provided at the beginning of the school year. This is a yearlong course and is not available for a single semester. This class meets during zero period (6:30am M, T, Th, F). Students must provide performance attire.

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
0.5 FA Credit   Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Course Overview:
This course is designed for the intermediate to advanced high school percussionist. However, anyone with a desire to create music, work on improving and cooperate with others is encouraged to join. The course will partially focus on performance of contemporary drum-line etudes, cadences and grooves. It will also focus on orchestral percussion techniques (including keyboard percussion), music theory, music literacy and possible improvisation. This course may be repeated for credit.

Students must provide: 2 pairs of Marching Snare Sticks, 1 pair of yarn mallets, Various performance attire

Special Requirements: Membership by instructor’s approval. Members of this ensemble are required to attend all performances, both during and outside of the regular school day. A calendar is provided at the beginning of the school year.  This is currently a 1 semester course. Students must provide performance attire. Students will be required to participate in two evening concerts, the GHS Pep Band (approximately 4-5 Friday nights), The Teddy Bear Parade (a Saturday morning) and various outside of the school day events.

SURVEY OF MUSIC
0.5 FA Credit       Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Course Overview:
Students will get an introduction into basic music theory, roots music and contemporary music of the United States. Students will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with music technology, including music production and recording. Students will get the opportunity to create original music through composition and production. Students will possibly participate in at least one performance during the school year. Special Requirements: No prior experience is required.

SYMPHONIC BAND
1 FA Credit      Grades 10, 11, 12

Course Overview:
Designed for the emerging high school musician. Musicians will study music theory as it relates to the wind band genre, and will discuss the historical and cultural aspects of wind band music. Students will also study and perform musical literature in traditional and contemporary wind band styles. Musical literature will be selected based on the instrumentation and skill of the group’s individuals. It is the intent that music will be selected throughout the year that will be both challenging and achievable to different members of the ensemble. Students will perform at approximately 4 concerts and 3 festivals every year. Members of this ensemble are also members of the Gresham Gopher Pep Band. This band represents Gresham High School in the Mount Hood Conference. This course may be repeated for credit.

Special Requirements: Membership by instructor’s approval. Members of this ensemble are required to attend all performances, both during and outside of the regular school day. A calendar is provided at the beginning of the school year.  This is a yearlong course and is not available for a single semester. Students must provide performance attire.

WIND ENSEMBLE
1 FA Credit      Grades 10, 11, 12

Course Overview:
Designed for advanced high school musicians. Musicians will study music theory as it relates to the wind band genre, and will discuss the historical and cultural aspects of wind band music. Students will also study and perform advanced musical literature in traditional and contemporary wind band styles. Students will perform at approximately 3 concerts and 3 festivals every year. Members of this ensemble are also members of the Gresham Gopher Pep Band. This band represents Gresham High School in the Mount Hood Conference. The ensemble travels out of state approximately every other year. This course may be repeated for credit.

Special Requirements: Membership is earned through audition and instructor's approval only. Members of this ensemble are required to attend all performances, both during and outside of the regular school day. A calendar is provided at the beginning of the school year.  This is a yearlong course and is not available for a single semester. Students must provide performance attire.