The concert band is open to all instruments of the modern wind ensemble, including woodwinds (flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet), saxophones (alto, tenor, baritone), brass (trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, euphonium, tuba), and percussion including timpani and mallet percussion.

Concert Band focuses on both the development of individual musicianship including rhythmic and melodic accuracy, pitch and tone quality, as well as development of the ensemble including blend, dynamics, harmony and intonation. Students will learn to value the principle that together we are more than the sum of our individual contributions.

Elective: 1.25

Prerequisite: 2 years of private lessons preferred and 1 year of ensemble experience. Exceptions can be made for students at the discretion of the Band Director.

This full-year course is open to all high school students. Concert Choir focuses on both the development of individual singing including rhythmic and melodic accuracy, pitch and tone quality, as well as development of the ensemble including blend, dynamics, harmony and intonation.

Students will learn to value the principle that together we are more than the sum of our individual voices. The Concert Choir performs several times throughout the school year including a Pops Concert, Christmas Concert, Spring Gala and the MICCA Festival. In odd years, the Concert Choir goes on tour over the Patriots Day weekend. Previous tours have been to Philadelphia, Washington DC and New York City. Advanced students will also have the opportunity to audition for the MMEA Central District Festival.

Elective: 1.25

Prerequisite: None

This one-semester course introduces students to a focused, musical approach to the fundamentals of music theory. Topics covered include pitch notation, simple and compound meters, beat subdivisions and syncopation, major and minor keys and scales, intervals, triads and seventh chords, melody harmonization and cadences. This course will also include an emphasis on real music from Bach to Broadway, Mozart to Katy Perry. This course will help any student musician become a better musician. Students planning to take AP Music Theory are required to take this course. However, this course is also accessible to all student musicians, not just those planning to take AP Music Theory or study music in college. It is preferred that students take Intro to Music Theory during their freshman or sophomore year so that they are eligible to take AP Music Theory, Music Composition II: Ensemble Writing during their junior and senior years.

Elective: 2.5 credits

Prerequisites: None

Students will learn the basics of both piano (keyboard) and acoustic guitar, including proper technique, note reading, chords, rhythm, and simple songs. Emphasis will be placed on building foundational skills that can be used in worship settings, school performances, or personal enjoyment. Students will split time between the two instruments and will have opportunities to practice both individually and in small groups. Music theory will be introduced in a way that is practical and easy to understand, helping students grow in musical confidence.

Elective: 2.5 credits

Prerequisites: None

This course is designed to help students develop as instrumental musicians. The chief goal is to enable string students to foster their musical gifts for the purposes of praise to God and inspiration to His people. The classes will include full orchestra rehearsals, sectionals, and small ensemble rehearsals. Sectionals and small ensembles are coached by various members of the strings faculty. To enroll in this course, a string player must have completed appropriate string instruction; freshmen and sophomores must continue to study with an approved private teacher. Grading is based on class participation, mastery of assigned music, and mandatory attendance at concerts.

Elective: 1.25 credits

Prerequisite: Middle School Orchestra or permission from the instructor

This course offers students interested in live audio mixing the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of sound engineering and music production. Topics will include room acoustics and sound hierarchy, signal pathways, microphone types and application, speaker types and placement, EQ, compression, gate and other signal effects. Students will also learn the role of the sound engineer and their relationship to musicians, vocalists and other AVL technicians in order to provide high quality LIVE sound. This course will not cover topics of sound recording.

Students will be expected to employ the skills learned in class for events that occur in the Nehemiah Center for the Arts, including student Chapel services. After school and evening requirements will be limited to 4 per semester. Students who successfully complete the Sound Technology course will be qualified to join the AVL Team that works with student events in the Nehemiah Center for the Arts, Krull gymnasium, and other events around campus using portable AVL equipment.

It is recommended that students take this course in their freshman or sophomore years so that they can take advantage of the opportunity to join the WCS AVL Team during their remaining years at WCS.

Elective: 2.5 credits

Prerequisite: None