Students will develop their basic musicianship skills through performing a wide array of repertoire on their primary band instrument. Tone production, breathing, intonation, rhythm counting, and overall music literacy are backbone of the class’s design.

711 – Foundations of Music Theory Grades 10, 11, 12 0.5 Credit
The Foundations of Music Theory course is designed to provide the students with a comprehensive understanding of tonal music. The course will deal with harmonic progression through vocal and instrumental textures. Considerable time will be spent working with four-part chorale settings to introduce many concepts. Along with theory, the students will begin to develop listening skills through ear training and sight singing. In addition to the theoretical presentation, a comprehensive practical approach is required.
Prerequisite: Department approval

712 – Jazz Theory & Improvisation Grades 10, 11, 12 0.5 Credit
The Jazz Theory & Improvisation course is designed for the jazz musician who wants to have a better understanding of the language of jazz. The student will learn the essentials of jazz music through analysis, ear training, and performance with emphasis on improvisation. Through hands on learning, students will demonstrate knowledge of typical jazz chords/progressions, jazz scales, form, and styles. In addition, the 
students will be exposed to a variety of performers & composers.
Prerequisite: Foundations of Music Theory (711), Member of Jazz Ensemble, and Permission of Instructor.

715 - Music Composition/Arranging Grade 11, 12
The Music Composition/Arranging course investigates arranging and composing techniques. Students will compose, arrange, and conduct several compositions as part of the course. The course will expose strategies and techniques for effectively writing for all the various ensembles and instruments within them. In addition to learning traditional methods of composing and notation, students will be exposed to composing through a sequencing program.
Prerequisite: Advanced Placement Music Theory (714) and Permission of Instructor.

History of Jazz course provides an in depth look at the major jazz styles that emerged from the early 1900’s to the present, through the study of significant jazz musicians and composers and an extensive look at historic recordings.

The History of Rock & Roll course is designed to discuss the history of popular music styles with a focus on rock music. The main purpose is to organize the repertory into specific categories and genres.

718 - Introduction to Music Grades 10 0.5 Credit
The Introduction to Music course is designed to provide students with little or no musical experience the opportunity to obtain a basic knowledge of the elements of music including melody, rhythm (meter), harmony, & form through an understanding of listening to music, performance with simple percussion instruments, and the playing of basic piano/keyboard music. It is designed as a continuation of developing the basic skills students may have acquired through their general music courses in elementary and middle school. This course is primarily a performance-based course. Sight-reading, ear training and other skills of musicianship will be isolated and studied.

This course fulfills the sophomore Fine Art Requirement. 

Students in a Fine Art Program (Band, Art Program or Choral Arts Program) will have a recommended course from their FA teacher for their program.

720 - Basics of Guitar Grades 10 0.5 Credit
The beginning guitar course is geared towards those students with little or no guitar experience. Students will be introduced to basic music theory and guitar playing skills.
REQUIREMENT - Students must provide their own acoustic guitar.

This course fulfills the sophomore Fine Art Requirement. 

Students in a Fine Art Program (Band, Art Program or Choral Arts Program) will have a recommended course from their FA teacher for their program.

The Intermediate Guitar course is designed to directly follow the Introduction to Guitar course. It will cover more advanced material such as the music theory behind the formation of chords, and the various scales common to blues, country, and flamenco.

The Music History course is designed as an introduction to the art of listening to music. This course begins with a focus on the fundamental elements of music (rhythm, melody, harmony, form, etc.).

730 - Hallmen Chorus Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Large choir (75-85) open to all grades, but consists of mostly juniors and seniors with prior singing experience; will compete in the Men’s Choir division at festivals; repertoire will consist of large accompanied and acapella works for men’s choir; will sing at many special functions (Turkey Bowl, Open House, etc.); featured choral ensemble for the Christmas Concert and Spring Tour; also participates in the annual AIMS Choral Festival and District and State Festivals; often combines with local all-girls’ schools to present mixed choir concerts; changed voices are desired for this ensemble, as not to force the change with the vocal demands required of the literature performed.
Prerequisite: Audition and Permission of the Instructor.

732 - Solo Vocal Music Grades 10, 11, 12 0.5 Credit
The Solo Vocal Music course is designed to provide students of all levels of proficiency with the opportunity to build singing technique through the study of various solo vocal repertoire including, but not limited to, classical and musical theatre genres. The course would include performances at various choral concerts, at semester recitals, in the annual Chamber Ensemble Concert, at the District and State Solo Festivals, and at the National Association of Teachers of Singing student auditions.
Prerequisite: Must be a current member of a choral ensemble at Calvert Hall and Permission of Instructor.

740 (A, B, C) - Jazz Ensemble Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 0.5 Credit
The Jazz Ensemble focuses on music from the jazz idiom, from Big Band, swing, be-bop, Latin, rock, and contemporary styles of jazz. The Jazz Band is by audition only. Eligibility is based on participation in the Band program. The only exception to this prerequisite is students playing guitar, piano, & bass. The Jazz Orchestra is the premier jazz ensemble and comprises the most talented musicians from larger concert 
groups. The group utilizes improvisation as a vehicle to push the performer to their “creative” limits. Jazz orchestra is dedicated to exposing its students to a diverse library of music from traditional big band standards to contemporary jazz charts.

The Big Band is the intermediate level jazz band at Calvert Hall. The group’s purpose is to mold and train musicians for the more demanding Jazz Orchestra. This ensemble utilizes jazz repertoire to develop fundamentals unique to the jazz idiom.

The Jazz Lab is open to first year musicians, selected by audition. Students learn the technical skills needed to perform jazz proficiently. This ensemble will explore a variety of styles of jazz music.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor through a performance audition. 740S Jazz Combo (no credit).

741 - Chamber Chorus Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 0.5 Credit
Chamber group (28-32 singers) is the core group of singers for the CHC Choral Department who are invited from the HALLMEN by the director, to perform advanced (Level 5-6) classical a cappella music ranging from the Classical period to modern times; a fairly high level of music reading skills is the pre-requisite; participates in the annual AIMS Choral Festival and District and State Festivals as well as smaller venues in the area; singers act as peer educators to the younger or less experienced singers in Concert Choir.
Prerequisite: Audition and Permission of the Instructor.

742 - Brass Ensemble Grades 10, 11, 12 0.5 Credit
The Brass Ensemble consists of brass performers, who look to improve fundamental skills through a small ensemble setting. These ensembles will perform chamber-style literature to open the students to music not performed in the concert ensembles. Attention will be given to individual musicianship as it relates to performing within a small ensemble.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor.

744 - Woodwind Ensemble Grades 10, 11, 12 0.5 Credit
The Woodwind Ensemble consists of woodwind performers, who look to improve fundamental skills through small ensemble setting. These ensembles will perform chamber-style literature to open the students to music not performed in the concert ensembles. Attention will be given to individual musicianship as it relates to performing within a small ensemble.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor.

746 - String Orchestra Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 0.5 Credit
The String Orchestra consists of instrumentalists who look to improve fundamental skills through a three-tiered performance group structure (chamber ensemble, string orchestra, and full symphonic orchestra). The ensemble will perform several types of literature to expose its members to many musical genres and styles. One year or more of study and experience on Violin, Viola, Cello, or Double Bass is required for 
acceptance into the String Orchestra.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor.

748 - Percussion Ensemble Grades 10,11,12 0.5 Credit
The Percussion Ensemble consists of percussionists, who look to improve fundamental skills through a small ensemble setting. These ensembles will perform chamber-style literature to open the students to music not performed in the concert ensembles. Attention will be given to individual musicianship as it relates to performing within a small ensemble.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor.

751 - Basic Art Grades 9, 10, 11
This is a fine arts Studio Class for students with concentration on drawing and sculpting skills. Students will experiment with a wide range of materials in approaching art as an artist. The program begins with emphasizing the fundamentals of painting and drawing as skills, involving materials and techniques. A student is not required to present a portfolio for admission to this course since all incoming students must take a drawing 
placement test. Anyone having samples of his work is encouraged to present such work at the time of testing.
Prerequisite: Portfolio review & approval of the Art Program Director.

761/762 - Advanced Drawing and Painting I/IIGrades 10, 11, 12
In this course, a student develops an understanding of the human figure's anatomy. Spatial relationships of objects, and the design of a picture plane containing man and his environment from black and white to color are included. At this point, the course becomes open-ended and encourages student self-reliance and independence. REQUIREMENT – Students are expected to provide their own art materials.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Basic Art (751) and approval of the Art Program Director.

761/762 - Advanced Drawing and Painting I/IIGrades 10, 11, 12
In this course, a student develops an understanding of the human figure's anatomy. Spatial relationships of objects, and the design of a picture plane containing man and his environment from black and white to color are included. At this point, the course becomes open-ended and encourages student self-reliance and independence. REQUIREMENT – Students are expected to provide their own art materials.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Basic Art (751) and approval of the Art Program Director.

771 - Sculpture and Design Grades 10, 11, 12
Emphasis will be on using various materials to express three-dimensional ideas. This course will involve mixing clay, figurative modeling, plaster, and wood carving. Students are encouraged to develop their ideas uniquely and receive much individual attention; they must also continuously work on assigned, carefully structured sculpture problems.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Basic Art (751) and approval of the Art Program Director.

791 - Advanced Placement Art Grades 11, 12
This course is intended for highly motivated students committed to serious study in art who have completed Basic Art and Advanced Painting or Sculpture and Design. Students must submit a general portfolio or drawing portfolio to the Advanced Placement Program in May.
Prerequisite: Two years of Art and approval of the Art Program Director.

753 - Intro. to Graphic Design Grades 10 0.5 Credit
This fine arts course will explore the art of visual communication. The focus will be on finding creative visual solutions to communication problems by combining images and typography using the Adobe Suite software of Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. In addition, you will learn how design elements and principles of design are used to create effective communication.

This course fulfills the sophomore Fine Art Requirement. 

Students in a Fine Art Program (Band, Art Program or Choral Arts Program) will have a recommended course from their FA teacher for their program.

719 - Basics of Piano Grades 10 0.5 Credit
This beginning piano course is geared towards those students with little or no piano experience. Students will be introduced to basic music theory, basic piano playing technique and easy/novice level classical and popular repertoire.

This course fulfills the sophomore Fine Art Requirement. 

Students in a Fine Art Program (Band, Art Program or Choral Arts Program) will have a recommended course from their FA teacher for their program.

775 - Fundamentals of Art Grades 10 0.5 Credit 
Fundamentals of Art is designed to give students a basic understanding and appreciation of visual art. Students are offered the opportunity to explore various visual art forms and techniques in an introductory level art course. Some of the techniques, ideas and materials that may be included are observational drawing (line and tone), perspective drawing, charcoal drawing, 2-D design, composition, color theory, watercolor painting, pen & ink, printmaking. Major emphasis is on observational drawing. Fundamentals of Art is planned to meet the needs of students of all artistic ability levels.
REQUIREMENT - This course requires the purchase of art supplies. Estimated cost is $90.00 to$120.00 on art supplies. A list of art supplies needed will be provided in the first week of class.

This course fulfills the sophomore Fine Art Requirement. 

Students in a Fine Art Program (Band, Art Program or Choral Arts Program) will have a recommended course from their FA teacher for their program.

712 – Jazz Theory & Improvisation Grades 10, 11, 12 0.5 Credit
The Jazz Theory & Improvisation course is designed for the jazz musician who wants to have a better understanding of the language of jazz. The student will learn the essentials of jazz music through analysis, ear training, and performance with emphasis on improvisation. Through hands on learning, students will demonstrate knowledge of typical jazz chords/progressions, jazz scales, form, and styles. In addition, the 
students will be exposed to a variety of performers & composers.
Prerequisite: Foundations of Music Theory (711), Member of Jazz Ensemble, and Permission of Instructor.

755 – Jazz Theory II Grades 10, 11, 12 0.5 Credit
Jazz Theory and Improvisation II is the next step for students interested in the art of Jazz music improvisation. Students will focus on performance and a deeper understanding of harmony, including non-chord tones, chord extensions and non-standard harmonic progressions. 
Prerequisites: successful completion of Jazz Theory I and teacher recommendation.

Emphasis will be on using various materials to express three-dimensional ideas. This course will involve mixing of clay, figurative modeling, plaster and wood carving. Students are encouraged to develop their ideas.

This course is intended to familiarize students with the merits -- both artistic and technical -- of a broad cross-section of motion pictures. Students will critically analyze films with particular attention to the mise-en-scene, cinematography, editing, and narrative style. At the course’s conclusion, students will be able to construct and defend critical hierarchies between seemingly disparate films using technical vocabulary and specific cinematic reference.

725S- The Art of Film Grade 10 0.5 Credit
This course is intended to familiarize students with the merits -- both artistic and technical -- of motion pictures. Students will critically analyze films with particular attention to the mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing, and narrative style. At the course’s conclusion, students will be able to present intelligibly about movements and genres that make up Hollywood over the history of film as well as make cogent arguments pertaining to the quality of selected films. Students will become critical consumers of an art form too often considered mere popular entertainment. This course is held online and will require internet access.
*THIS COURSE IS ONLY OFFERED IN THE SUMMER. (Summer Tuition Fee)
Prerequisite: Placement from the Office of Academic Affairs after Rising Sophomore Fine Art Requirement Sign-up