At Grandview High School, “The Arts Make a Difference!” Arts education is essential to each person’s development. It is a principal means for helping students discover beauty and joy in life. Performing arts are vehicles for cultivating personal expression and for fostering creative potential. As a result of participation in the arts, students discover our shared cultural heritage and prepare for meaningful lifelong activities. Considering the many benefits of an arts education, participation in one or more areas of Grandview’s diverse and dynamic arts program should be an integral part of the course of study for all students wanting a well rounded educational experience. The arts at Grandview High School will make a difference in your life! In addition to the courses listed below, students have the opportunity to participate in Pep Band. The Pep Band is open to any students with previous band experience, whether or not they are currently enrolled in an instrumental music class. Rehearsals will be scheduled after school on a weekly basis during the fall and winter sports seasons. The Pep Band plays for many home football, volleyball, and basketball games. Additional performance opportunities at area college and university sporting events may also be scheduled. |
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| CONCERT BAND - 1 Credit |
| Prerequisite: Prior band experience. |
| Course Length: Year |
| Grade: 9-12 |
| Fees: $50 - $100 for uniform |
| The Concert Band is open to students who have previous band experience and have a desire to continue developing their skills on a wind or percussion instrument. No audition is required for this class. Students will develop greater skills in ensemble playing while reinforcing their knowledge of fundamentals such as proper posture and breath support, instrument position and tone production. Students will learn about great composers of wind band repertoire and will develop a greater understanding of what makes an excellent performance. Concerts will be scheduled throughout the year and attendance at each performance is mandatory. |
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| SYMPHONIC BAND - 1 Credit |
| Prerequisite: Concert Band and/or audition by instructor |
| Course Length: Year |
| Grade: 9-12 |
| Fees: $50-$100 for uniform |
| The Symphonic Band is comprised of auditioned band players and percussionists who demonstrate strong skills in basic musicianship and have a desire to further develop and refine their abilities. Students who become members of the symphonic band will have the opportunity to study music that is more difficult than that encountered in the concert band yet not quite as difficult as the literature played by the wind ensemble. It is expected that each student will be willing to practice on their own outside of the school day. Concerts will be scheduled throughout the year and attendance at all performances is mandatory. Interested students will also have an opportunity to learn about chamber music by forming small ensembles that will rehearse outside of class. |
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| WIND ENSEMBLE - 1 Credit |
| Prerequisite: Symphonic Band and/or audition by instructor. |
| Course Length: Year |
| Grade: 10-12 |
| Fee: $100-$140 for uniform |
| The Wind Ensemble is a select group comprised of the most advanced wind players and percussionists at Grandview High School. Students who become members of the wind ensemble will have the opportunity to perform a number of great works from the wind band repertoire including those of contemporary composers. As the emphasis of this course will be on difficult literature it is expected that each student demonstrate a high level of commitment and personal responsibility. Students will be expected to practice on a regular basis. Students who excel often study privately with a qualified instructor. Several concerts will be scheduled throughout the year and attendance at each performance is mandatory. Chamber music performance opportunities will also be made available to interested students and are strongly encouraged. |
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| JAZZ ENSEMBLE 2 (JAZZ BAND 2) - 1 Credit |
| Prerequisite: Audition by Director |
| Course Length: Year |
| Grade: 9-12 |
| Fee: $50-$100 for uniform |
| The Jazz Ensemble 2 is open to any student with a successful audition who wants to develop a better understanding of what is means to perform in a “jazz ensemble.” Students will learn about the basic skills necessary to perform with jazz style including phrasing, articulation, and interpretation. Students will also learn about jazz theory and harmony. All students will be encouraged to explore the concepts of improvisation and jazz solo construction. Concerts will be scheduled throughout the year and attendance at all performances is mandatory. This class serves as a prerequisite for the Jazz Ensemble. |
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| JAZZ ENSEMBLE 1 (JAZZ BAND 1) - 1 Credit |
| Prerequisite: Jazz Band 2 and/or audition by instructor |
| Course Length: Year |
| Grade: 10-12 |
| Fee: $50-$100 for uniform |
| The Jazz Ensemble 1 is a group of the most advanced jazz players. A strong emphasis will be placed on performance and developing skills in improvisation and in developing a better understanding of various musical styles such as swing, jazz ballad, funk, fusion, Latin, etc. Students will be expected to practice on a regular basis and to demonstrate a high level of commitment and personal responsibility. Concerts will be scheduled throughout the year and attendance at all performances in mandatory. |
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| CONCERT ORCHESTRA - 1Credit |
| Prerequisite: Middle school orchestra or consent of the high school orchestra instructor |
| Course Length: Year |
| Grade: 9-12 |
| Fee: $70-$110 for uniform |
| Concert Orchestra is open to all students with previous string experience. A variety of Level III and Level IV string orchestra literature from all style periods will be studied. Concerts will be scheduled throughout the year and attendance is required. |
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| SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA - 1 Credit |
| Prerequisite: Concert Orchestra and/or consent of high school orchestra director |
| Course Length: Year |
| Grade: 10-12 |
| Fee: $70-$110 for uniform |
| Symphonic Orchestra is designed for more advanced orchestra students who want an excellent musical experience and who are willing to practice 30 minutes per day for five days each week. Emphasis will be on Level IV and Level V orchestra literature from all style periods of music. Concerts will be scheduled throughout the year and attendance is required. |
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| PIANO - 1/2 Credit |
| Prerequisite: None |
| Course Length: Semester |
| Grade: 9-12 |
| Fee: $25 for books |