This course is intended for students with no music background but is also suitable for students with a background in music. In this course students will learn how popular music became the way it is today. A variety of genres will be covered such as Classical music, Blues, Jazz, Motown, Rock and Roll, and Rap. Students will listen to music in class and relate it to the music they listen to in their everyday lives. Minimal homework will be required for this class.

NOTE: School guitar rentals will be provided on a first-come, first-served manner. If a student doesn’t have access to a guitar, they will be required to drop the course. Instrument rental and maintenance is $25 per trimester if rented from CHS.
The objective of this class is to help students become guitarists who can read and play the music they enjoy listening to and even compose their own tunes. Basics such as guitar tuning, guitar anatomy, music reading, picking, strumming, scales, chords, and musicality will be covered in this course. Students are required to provide their own acoustic guitars for this course unless they have an arrangement with the instructor to rent a school instrument.

NOTE: Instrument rental and maintenance is $25 per trimester if rented from CHS.   
This performance group is intended for beginners with no musical background. Emphasis will be placed on proper playing technique, musical literacy, Mariachi history, and Mexican Culture. Students will study varied repertoire of Mariachi music including bolero, ranchera and son music forms. Students will learn about Mariachi and Mexican culture in the form of music, cooking, dancing, singing, folktales, etc. This is a co-curricular class so students will be required to perform in an evening concert and attend various festivals and community events. Grades are based on participation, concert attendance, and demonstrated knowledge of musical concepts.

Students will learn to read music and sing within the context of a choir. The ensemble will learn about music theory and how many styles of music are similar to one another, from folk to pop, from madrigals to Rhythm and Blues, from the blues to electronica, etc. Students will also learn and perform a wide variety of styles from different time periods for the community in a concert.

NOTE: In order to build on concepts and grow as an ensemble, students must enroll in Concert Band for all 3 trimesters unless approved by both Mr. Prosch-Jensen and Mrs. Hallead. Contact them if scheduling issues arise.
This music ensemble will explore a wide variety of wind ensemble and pep band literature. Students will have the opportunity to perform for the community in four school-sponsored concerts, as well as football games, basketball games, festivals, competitions, parades, etc. Students will learn about music theory, music history, world music, and what it takes to be a professional musician. Concert Band is a year-round course.

NOTE: This course is offered before school (7:15 AM-8:05 AM) M,W,F.
Jazz I is an auditioned group where musicians are expected to approach and perform their music with a professional attitude. Since this is CHS’s most advanced group, we will be playing a wide variety of music with challenging rhythms and phrases. Outside practice is expected so that rehearsals won’t be spent teaching individual parts. Jazz I will also cover improvisation and develop student ears on how to listen to Jazz. This ensemble will be difficult but highly rewarding. Jazz I will perform in 4 concerts and go on trips to festivals and competitions.

NOTE: This course is offered before school (7:15 AM-8:05 AM) T,TH.
Jazz II is an ensemble where musicians will be performing a variety of styles of Jazz, from Swing and Latin to Funk and Rock. We will also cover improvisation and develop students' ears on how to listen to Jazz. Jazz II will perform in 4 concerts and go on trips to festivals and competitions. Outside practice is expected so that valuable rehearsal time will be used as efficiently as possible. Jazz II students will have the opportunity to challenge for a spot in Jazz I at the end of each trimester.