CONCERT BAND P
460500
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Open to students in grades 10-12 with experience in elementary and junior high school band who have shown they are capable of performance at the high school level (as recommended by junior high instructors), or who can otherwise show evidence of equivalent skill and experience (to be demonstrated by live audition).
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: f
The Davis High School Concert Band will provide an opportunity for brass, woodwind, and percussion students to learn and perform concert band music, some contemporary and popular music, and marches. This music, the difficulty of which will be determined by the ability of the band, will be challenging and of high quality. Some class time will also be devoted to skill development although not at the beginning level. Players will be expected to attend all performances as well as some rehearsals outside of class. Concert music will be emphasized; however, some marching may be included in the curriculum during football season, for specific band events. Students will be required to participate in some Pep Band activities.
SYMPHONIC BAND P
461500
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Audition each year for all members. Experience in elementary and junior high school band. Advanced ability required of the instrumentalist. Consent of the instructor.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: f
The Davis High School Symphonic Band will provide an opportunity for advanced brass, woodwind, and percussion students to learn and perform symphonic band music. The instrumentation and numbers of like instruments will be solely at the discretion of the instructor. The choice of music to be performed will be challenging and of high quality. Very little class time will be devoted to skill development, since it is assumed that members will already have developed their abilities to this advanced level, or be acquainted with methods to learn these skills. Players will be expected to attend all performances as well as some rehearsals outside of class. Concert music will be emphasized; however, some marching (with the Concert Band) may be included in the curriculum during football season for specific band events. Students will be required to participate in some Pep Band activities.
CHAMBER ORCHESTRA P
472200
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Participation in the junior high orchestra or equivalent experience playing a string instrument. Open to all string students, no audition required for enrollment.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: f
The Chamber orchestra is designed to provide string players the experience of learning a broad range of chamber music composed specifically for strings only. Students will advance their technical skills, performance and ensemble skills, and understanding of music theory in general and as it applies to their instrument and to the music studied in class. Students in the Chamber Orchestra will be required to perform in a number of concerts throughout the year in and outside of Davis.
JAZZ BAND P
465000
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Auditions each year for all members. Experience in elementary and junior high school band. Advanced ability required of the instrumentalist. Open only to performers on the trumpet, trombone, saxophone, (alto, tenor or baritone), guitar, piano, bass and drum set.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: f
The Davis High School Jazz Band is a performing group specializing in playing works for the standard big band. Each student in the Jazz Band is responsible for playing his or her own part, as no parts are doubled. It is extremely important that each student possess technical facility on his/her own instrument, for the music will be of professional caliber--challenging to the advanced student. The music played in this group will be primarily Big Band Jazz, as well as some popular, and rock styles. In addition, music from other cultures (Latin, African) may be introduced. The student will learn the techniques of jazz improvisation as well as jazz rhythms and scales. In addition to playing for pleasure and preparing for performances, jazz education will take place through listening to recordings, memorizing certain jazz scales, and extensive sight reading. The Jazz Band annually participates in several festivals requiring preparation by the player outside of class time. Students will be strongly encouraged to enroll in either the Concert Band or Symphonic Band and to participate in some Pep Band activities.
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA P
473000
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Participation in the junior high school orchestra or band or equivalent experience in a string, woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments. Acceptance to this course is by audition only and consent of the instructor.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: f
The Symphony Orchestra is designed to provide string, wind, brass and percussion students with a thorough background of various styles of music. Students will advance their technical skills as well as their abilities to work cooperatively as a group to perform full orchestral literature. Students will be required to perform in a number of concerts throughout the year in and outside of Davis.
CONCERT CHOIR P
480200
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: none other than an enjoyment of music and an interest in singing.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: f
Concert Choir students will learn healthy singing technique and sight reading. They will develop skill leading to successful ensemble performance. Musical literature will cover a broad range of choral styles from Classical to Contemporary as selected by the director to promote success in achieving course goals. Students in Concert Choir receive training that will help them advance into the audition only ensembles. Performances include concerts held at Davis High School throughout the school year, as well as festivals, such as the Golden Empire Music Festival in Sacramento. Members of Concert Choir are also expected to perform as part of the masses choirs of the DHS Vocal Music Department in festivals and concerts.
ADVANCED TREBLE CHOIR P
481200
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: By audition or consent of instructor
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: f
Advanced Treble Choir is an auditioned performing group open to soprano or alto singers interested in advancing their vocal technique and repertoire. Students will be expected to sing as soloists, in small groups, and with larger ensembles. Through a broad repertoire, spanning from the Renaissance era through the present, students will explore performance practices and expand their training in diction. Participation in at least one California Music Festival and numerous performances are some of the highlights of the year. Students are required to attend at least one sectional rehearsal outside of class each week. Students must re-audition each year.
MADRIGALS P
481000
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: By audition only in spring for the following year.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: f
Madrigals is a small, select choir of 20-30 fully costumed singers in Renaissance attire specializing in chamber choral works from the Renaissance to the present. Students are expected to have advanced choral training. Students will sight read music and perform as soloists, in small groups, with the Madrigals, as well as with all vocal groups in the school. Participation in Madrigals is a BIG commitment. Students should expect to perform 40 to 50 concerts per year. The group tours worldwide. Extensive time and effort by both students and parents to continue the group's standards and reputation as a highly acclaimed choral group is required. In addition, students are expected to rehearse and perform as a large mixed chorus with the Concert Choir and Jazz Choir for festivals and concerts. Students must re-audition each year.
JAZZ CHOIR P
482000
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: By audition only in spring for the following year.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: f
Jazz Choir is an auditioned performance ensemble requiring advanced singing, musicianship, and dancing abilities. Students are expected to learn music and choreography quickly and precisely. Jazz Choir has a twin emphasis on show choir music and dance style as well as vocal jazz performance. Solo opportunities are available to qualified students as determined by the director. Performance highlights include community events, the annual Cabaret Dinner, festivals, concerts, and competitions throughout the United States. Members of Jazz Choir are also expected to perform as part of the massed choirs of the DHS vocal music department in festivals and concerts.
NOTE: It is strongly recommended that students who are not accepted into Madrigals, Jazz Choir, or Advanced Treble Choir participate in the Concert Choir or register for Essentials of Music.
ESSENTIALS OF MUSIC P
491000
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: None
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: f
This course provides students with a broad overview of music. Students will be introduced to and explore music from the medieval period through rock-n-roll. If you would like to know more about music, this is the course for you. Students will develop a clear understanding of all forms of music. No musical experience is necessary.
ESSENTIALS OF MUSIC HONORS P
491200
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: None
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: f
Essentials of Music (Honors) is a course offered to juniors and seniors who have completed foundation work in music. This is also open to 10th grade students who have the necessary preparation to complete UC designated honors courses. Essentials of Music (Honors) is an advanced level of Essentials of Music. This course provides a college level introduction to all aspects of music. Students will analyze and identify the period, genre, stylistic traits, and form for pieces through listening and examination of works from the Medieval through the Modern periods.
MUSIC THEORY AP
Advanced Placement
490000
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Previous music courses or consent of instructor.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: f
Advanced level music theory course offers an overview of music history and covers all material covered in a first year level theory class. This course is designed to teach ear-training skills, recognition of basic chord progressions, sight-singing, melodic, harmonic and rhythmic dictation, and recognition of simple music forms. AP Theory students may also compose works to be performed by the orchestra and the choirs.