Fine Arts

Course Description: This course is designed to include two, three, and four part singing (SAB/SATB) as well as beginning vocal technique and score reading.

Course Description: This course is designed for the more mature voice and well-developed vocal technique and tone quality. It includes four-part singing (SATB) and introductions to sight singing. Music ranges from “pop” to classical and from Renaissance to contemporary. Performances in the Fall and Spring Choral Concerts offer an opportunity to gain experience in public performances.

Prerequisite: Vocal Music Beginning, Vocal Music Intermediate, Placement audition, and teacher recommendation
Students can take either Fall or Spring or both.

Prerequisite: Vocal Music Beginning, Vocal Music Intermediate, Vocal Music Proficient, Placement audition, and teacher recommendation
Course Description: This limited group is required to have advanced choral/vocal techniques and sight singing abilities. These students represent the school in small ensemble competitions, community and school events, and individual competitions. This group performs publicly on a frequent basis. Auditions include a solo of the student’s choice, rhythm and pitch recall, and display of vocal range. Vocal Music Proficient addresses the competency goals and objectives of the NC SCOS for Vocal Music Proficient and provides additional extensions of these goals and objectives as a foundation for advanced proficiency in performance, conducting, listening, appreciation, history, analyzing, composing, the use of current technology, and research culminating in written reports.

Prerequisite:  Audition
Course Description: This course is designed for the more mature voice and well-developed vocal technique and tone quality. It includes three and four-part treble singing and focuses on sight singing abilities. Music ranges from “pop” to Classical and from Renaissance to Contemporary. This group will represent the school in competitions. Auditions include a solo of the student’s choice, rhythm and pitch recall (the student sings back what he/she has heard played on the piano), and display of vocal range. Performance at the Spring Choral Concerts offers an opportunity to gain experience in public performances.

Prerequisite:  Middle School Band
Course Description: This course concentrates on previous music experiences and is designed to develop the skills of performance to the highest possible level. The content of the course covers the literature of various style periods and instrumental form, development of a concept of interpretation, music reading, basic music theory, interpretative marking, and nomenclature found in band literature. Attendance at out-of-class rehearsals and performances, marching or concert, is viewed as the extension of the classroom and is required. Students registering for Band I must also register for Marching Band.

Prerequisite:  Band Beginning
Course Description: This course is designed for those students who have attained performance skills. The primary goal of this course is to develop a greater degree of music responsiveness through rehearsals and performances. Special emphasis is placed on continued development of performance skills, sight reading ability, and interpretive skills. Attendance at out-of-class rehearsals and performances, marching or concerts is viewed as an extension of the classroom and is required.

Prerequisite: All students registered for Band Beginning, Band Intermediate, Band Proficient, Band Advanced or Small Ensemble is REQUIRED to register for Marching Band.
Course Description: This course is designed for those schools that have after school marching rehearsals. Attendance at marching rehearsals, football games, parades, or marching contests is the main requirement for this course. (Exceptions are varsity athletes.) Marching rehearsals begin before the opening of school (1 or 2 weeks to be determined by the band director of each individual school). Those students chosen for flag squad or majorette are required to register for this course also. Class meetings for this course are after school rehearsals, football games, parades, or any other performance required by the band director. Contact hours for this semester course are the same as a regular class period.

Prerequisite:  Band Beginning, Band Intermediate, audition and teacher recommendation
Course Description: Band Proficient continues to build on the comprehensive music education students have received in Band Intermediate. Band Proficient addresses the competency goals and objectives of the NC SCOS for Band Proficient and provides additional extensions of these goals and objectives as a foundation for advanced proficiency in performance, conducting, listening, appreciation, history, analyzing, composing, the use of current technology, and research culminating in written reports.

Prerequisite:  Band Beginning, Band Intermediate, Band Proficient, audition and teacher recommendation
Course Description: Band Advanced continues to build on the comprehensive music education students have received in Band Proficient. Band Advanced addresses the competency goals and objectives of the NC SCOS for Band Advanced and provides additional extensions of these goals and objectives as a foundation for advanced proficiency in performance, conducting, listening, appreciation, history, analyzing, composing, the use of current technology, and research culminating in written reports.

Prerequisite:  Audition
Course Description: This course is designed for band students interested in expanding their knowledge of music for specific instruments. These ensembles may include woodwind/brass trios, quartets, quintets, etc. Music ranging from classical to modern is performed. Performance for ensemble competitions and concerts is expected.

Location:       SHS-FAMIS
Grade Level: 9-12
Symphony Orchestra is offered to 9th-12th grade students with previous experience on an orchestral instrument (bowed strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, harp).  Educational emphasis is placed on the advancement of instrumental technique, ensemble rehearsal and performance, further development of music reading and comprehension skills, independent musicianship, style, and a deeper understanding of orchestral literature.  Literature will contain both Classical and Popular music.

Location:       SHS-FAMIS
Grade Level: 9-12
Acoustic Guitar Ensemble is a small group of acoustic guitars and bass. The literature includes compositions written for guitar ensembles and arrangements of pieces originally written for other settings, ranging from solo instruments to full orchestrations. The ensemble allows students to hone their individual skills while learning to rehearse and perform in a collaborative ensemble.  Musical styles will include classical, jazz, rock, popular, Spanish and flamenco, and other traditional guitar music. The ensemble will typically perform for smaller venues and special events, as well as work collaboratively with other school departments, such as providing music for dance performances.

Location:       SHS-FAMIS
Grade Level: 9-12
Piano Proficiency is designed for students with previous music experience (vocal or instrumental) who desire to obtain basic piano skills.  The curriculum focuses on beginner to intermediate technique and literature. Although previous musical experience is not necessary for the course, the course is taught with the expectation that students have some previous music experience to draw from.

Location:       SHS-FAMIS
Grade Level: 9-12
Guitar Proficiency is designed for students with previous music experience (vocal or instrumental) who desire to obtain basic guitar skills.  The curriculum focuses on beginner to intermediate technique and literature. Although previous musical experience is not necessary for the course, the course is taught with the expectation that students have some previous music experience to draw from.

Location:       SHS-FAMIS
Grade Level: 9-12
Any student may enroll in this course provided that they have submitted a FAMIS application.  No music audition required. Previous music experience is encouraged, but not required.
AP Music Theory is an advanced level course designed to engage students in learning activities that will help them to achieve the outcomes assessed by the College Board’s Advanced Placement Music Theory Examination. The AP Music Theory course is designed to develop a student’s ability to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. These abilities will be developed through various listening, performance, written, creative, and analytical exercises. Although this course focuses on music of the Common Practice Period (1600 – 1900), materials and processes found in other styles and genres are also studied.
Students are encouraged to sit for the College Board’s Advanced Placement Music Theory Examination. Students who successfully complete the AP Music Theory Examination and plan to major in music in college may be able to enroll in an advanced music theory course, depending upon the individual college’s policy. 
AP Music Theory is a year-long course (2 semesters).  Students may elect to take only the 1st or 2nd semester of the course separately, called MUSIC THEORY I & II, for honors credit (not considered AP).

Location:       SHS-FAMIS
Grade Level: 9-12
Rock Band is a performing ensemble course in which students learn to rehearse and perform in a contemporary, popular music venue via a small band (typically 4-8 members).  Educational emphasis is placed on individual preparation, group communication and collaboration, creative exploration, music technology and stagecraft, small group leadership skills, and expanding students'  knowledge of the contemporary music industry. Styles studied and performed include any and all major popular genres (i.e., rock, pop, R&B) and their related sub-genres. Students must possess previous vocal and/or instrumental experience related to popular genres (solo voice, acoustic and electric guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, etc.).

Location:       SHS-FAMIS
Grade Level: 9-12
This course puts 9th-12th grade students with previous experience on bowed stringed instruments (violin, viola, cello, string bass) into a small ensemble (quartet, quintet, or larger ensemble).  Educational emphasis is placed on the advancement of instrumental technique, ensemble rehearsal and performance, further development of music reading and comprehension skills, independent musicianship, style, and a deeper understanding of string literature.  Literature will contain both Classical and Popular music. Performance opportunities focus on smaller, more intimate venues and occasions.

Location:       SHS-FAMIS
Grade Level: 9-12
Jazz Combo is a performing ensemble course in which students learn to rehearse and perform in a popular music venue via a small jazz combo band (typically 4-8 members).  Educational emphasis is placed on individual preparation, group communication and collaboration, creative exploration, music technology and stagecraft, small group leadership skills, and expanding students'  knowledge of the contemporary music industry. Styles studied and performed include any and all standard jazz genres. Students must possess previous vocal and/or instrumental experience related to popular genres (solo voice, acoustic and electric guitar, electric bass, acoustic string bass, drums, keyboards, etc.).

Location:       SHS-FAMIS
Grade Level: 9-12
Music History is a fascinating, music listening-intensive course that introduces students to music of all styles and cultures throughout the history of the world, from the most mysterious, distant past to the music of today's progressive scene.  Music of world cultures (Asia, Africa, South America, etc.) will also be experienced extensively, both in listening, discussion, and in hands-on application. Students will become familiar with the history of ancient music, European music, popular music styles (jazz, blues, rock, urban, etc.), and music in movies and popular culture.  The curriculum is centered around individual and group projects, hands-on activities, concerts, exploratory field trips, and audio-visual experiences.

Location:       SHS-FAMIS
Grade Level: 9-12
Digital Music is a course that is quite broad, and is designed for students with musical experience who want to become familiar with how music is made digitally, how the digital age has affected music, and the basics of the modern music industry.  Students will become familiar with software used for creating music both historically and modern. Students will also learn the basics of the music industry and how modern careers in music work. Additionally, students will study the basics of acoustics and sound, with an emphasis on hands-on experiences in sound engineering and technology.

Location:       SHS-FAMIS
Grade Level: 10-12
Prerequisite:  Audition
This performance ensemble is open to all students interested in learning about performance technique and the history of steel drumming through the performance of traditional and popular music of the Caribbean. Public performances will be scheduled in cooperation with the schools and local community.

Course Description: This course introduces students to the fundamentals of theatre production. Areas of study include introduction to theatre history, different types of plays, basic play production, pantomime and body language, voice and diction, stage makeup, beginning acting, basic directing, and script writing. Students in this class have the opportunity to participate in class productions and to work on major productions throughout the year. It is recommended that students taking this course be able to accept the responsibility of rehearsals and public performances.

Prerequisite:  Theatre Arts Beginning
Course Description: In this course students continue their study of how plays are produced through an examination of theatre history as it relates to play production, intermediate acting and stage movement, stage dialects, intermediate directing and script writing, critiquing of plays as literature and as theatrical performances. Other areas of study include costume design and construction, publicity and promotion of theatrical events, and box office management. Students have an opportunity to work on various productions throughout the school year. It is required that students taking this course be able to accept the responsibility of rehearsals and public performances.

Prerequisite:  Theatre Arts Beginning, Theatre Arts Intermediate
Course Description: Theatre Arts Proficient involves additional in-depth application of theatre arts knowledge, skills, and processes. Attendance at after school rehearsals and performances is required.

Prerequisite:  Theatre Arts Beginning, Theatre Arts Intermediate, Theatre Arts Proficient and Audition
Course Description: Theatre Arts Advanced is an even more advanced continuation of Theatre Arts Proficient and will require students to become initiators of learning and accomplishment, as well as, demonstrate leadership and expertise in theatre arts. Attendance at after school rehearsals and performances is required.

Prerequisite:  Application
Course Description: Students should be interested in the technical aspects of theatrical production instead of, or in addition to, acting. Areas of student include directing, stage makeup, costume design and construction, theatre organization, management and operation, scenery design and set construction, theatrical lighting, and sound effects. Members of the class complete individual projects during the year and are responsible for backstage work on all drama productions. Students must be able to accept the responsibility of rehearsals and public performances. Students may take this course more than one time for credit.

Prerequisite:  Audition
Course Description: This class is for any student who has a serious interest in musical theatre. Major areas of study include history of musical theatre, movement and choreography, vocal training at various levels, advanced acting techniques, technical studies, and production styles. Students may take this course more than one time for a unit of credit.

Location:       SHS-FAMIS
Grade Level: 11-12

Location:       SHS-FAMIS
Grade Level: 11-12

Location:       SHS-FAMIS
Grade Level: 11-12