C100 Fine Arts (Palatine High School Only)

This course is designed to teach students to play handbells and experience the principle of sensory, formal technical, and expressive qualities of music and movement. Students will participate in group performances throughout the year.

Orchestra 1 provides instruction in violin, viola, cello, and string bass. Rehearsals will include technical studies, concert preparation, chamber music, repertoire expansion, and basic fundamentals of music theory and music history. Using modern string methods, the course will prepare the student for participation in Orchestra 2. Students enrolling in C124 Orchestra 1 must have previous orchestra experience or consent of the instructor to enroll.

Orchestra 2 is open to all advanced string players. Rehearsals will include technical studies, concert preparation, chamber music, repertoire expansion, and basic fundamentals of music theory. Students are given a variety of performance opportunities to increase musical tastes, nurture personal growth, and refine technical abilities. Individual talent is developed by private and/or class instruction which is an integral part of the orchestra program. In addition, advanced string students will be auditioned for membership in the District 211 Honors Symphony Orchestra. This group, which represents the highest level of musicianship, presents an annual concert at one of the five high schools on a rotating basis.

This course is open to sopranos and altos with no previous high school choral experience. Students are taught the basic fundamentals of tone production, part-singing, and music theory. They receive the foundation necessary to progress to more advanced groups.

This course is for tenors, basses, and unchanged voices with no previous high school choral experience. Students are taught the basic fundamentals of tone production, part-singing, and music theory. They receive the foundation necessary to progress to more advanced groups.

This course is open to students with previous band experience, as well as those students with limited training and experience. Students will receive fundamentals necessary to progress to advanced groups. Individual talent is developed by private and/or class instruction which is an integral part of the band program. This organization (in combination with other band classes) may be required to perform at home football games. At the discretion of the director, performances for basketball games and other sporting events may also be required. Students with no previous band experience need instructor approval to enroll.

This course is designed to provide students with more advanced understanding of musical skills, rehearsal procedures, and general musicianship through the rehearsal and performance of band literature. Individual talent is developed by private and/or class instruction which is an integral part of the band program. This organization (in combination with other band classes) may be required to perform at home football games. At the discretion of the director, performances for basketball games and other sporting events may also be required. Students enrolling in C147 Band 2 must have previous training on a band instrument and be able to meet minimum objectives set by the department.

Sopranos and altos who have completed C135 Chorus 1 or who meet minimum first-year objectives set by the department may enroll in this course. Students perform advanced literature and receive training designed to further musicianship encouraging a higher level of choral singing.

The choral director, with the approval of the Music Department chair and the building principal, may elect to combine C135 and/or C235 with C136 to form a single organization under the title C236 Mixed Chorus. This group would retain the basic characteristics of each of the combined groups.

Students who have mastered objectives presented in C137 Band 1 and/or C147 Band 2, or who pass a private audition by the director, may be considered for enrollment at this level. Since a fairly rigid instrumental balance must be maintained, new members are admitted only when vacancies occur. Emphasis will be placed on advanced band literature, and intellectual and cultural growth. Individual talent is developed by private and/or class instruction which is an integral part of the band program. This organization (in combination with other band classes) is required to perform at home football games. At the discretion of the director, performances for basketball games and other sporting events may be required.

Music Theory is an advanced course for those who want to increase their skills in music rudiments and/or to prepare a career in music. Emphasis is placed on analysis and traditional chorale writing. Ear training and keyboard preparation are stressed. Academic ability and prior participation in high school music (or formal private instruction) are strongly suggested.

Students who have successfully mastered objectives associated with fundamental choral classes as set forth by the department or who pass a private audition administered by the director may be considered for enrollment at this level. Membership in this highly selective group must also be based on the maintenance of proper choral balance. Special attention is given to artistic performances, individual growth, and group dynamics. A variety of advanced literature is studied and the highest degree of excellence in all aspects of choral singing is expected. In addition to singing at a number of concerts, the choir performs at various school, civic, and related functions.