Fine Arts Academy
The Academy of Fine Arts seeks to provide an opportunity for artistic students to explore innovative and rewarding career paths in the arts. This will be accomplished through a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum which introduces the fundamental elements the individual disciplines, exposes students to art professionals currently working in their respected fields, and guides the individual student to collaborate with their peers in an effort to produce unified collaborative arts productions. Students will choose one of two pathways – Band or Chorus – with an ultimate goal to prepare students for careers within the fine and performing arts and promote life-long advocates of the arts.
Pathways:
Band or Chorus
Career Opportunities:
Sound Technician
Vocal Coach
Technical Director
Band Director
Choral Director
Dance Instructor
Composer
Conductor
Music Editor
Choreographer
Director
Fine Arts Teacher
Chorus Courses
Beginning Chorus
This course will teach students the fundamentals of choral music. Students will learn basic music theory as well as how to sight-read basic music passages notated stepwise as well as in intervals of 2nds, 3rd, and 4ths. Students will apply this knowledge to standard choral literature and perform two selections as an ensemble in the Christmas Program in the fall semester or the Spring Concert in the spring semester. At the end of the semester, students will audition to progress to the Intermediate Chorus.
Intermediate Chorus
This course will continue to build upon the knowledge obtained in Beginning Chorus. Students will be able to sight-read music passages in all major keys and in all intervals. Students will apply this knowledge to standard choral literature and perform a minimum of three selections as an ensemble in the Spring Concert. Students will be required to learn one song from the District Honor Choir during the spring semester and Alabama (from the AVA All-State song list) during the fall semester. Select fall semester Intermediate Chorus students may audition for the AVA All-State Choral Festival. At the end of the semester, students will audition to progress to the Advanced Chorus.
Advanced Chorus 1-6
This course will build upon the knowledge obtained in Intermediate Chorus (Beginning 2). Students will be able to sight-read music passages in all major keys and minor keys and in all intervals. Students will apply this knowledge to standard choral literature and perform a minimum of five selections of contrasting styles and time periods as an ensemble in the Spring Concert. Students will be required to audition for District Honor Choir during the spring semester. Select fall semester Advanced Chorus students will audition for the AVA All-State Choral Festival.
Academy Requirements
- Must take a minimum of 6 semesters of Chorus
- Must attend and perform in all choral performances unless excused prior to the day performance by Mr. Frye
- Must maintain a C average in all courses
- Must attend afterschool rehearsal when assigned
- Must audition for District Honor Choir a minimum of two years.
- Must audition for AVA All-State Festival a minimum of two years.
- Must participate in District Solo and Ensemble
o Ensemble: as assigned by the choir director
o Solo: Fall semester of senior year
- Must audition for a minimum of one music scholarship
Band Course Selections
Beginning Band
The Beginning Band class offers instruction on woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments with a focus on the skills necessary for long-term student success. Fundamentals stressed include proper posture and playing position, development of characteristic tone quality and training in music literacy. The school is able to provide many of the larger and/or more expensive instruments. These include the oboe, bassoon, French horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba. Other instruments (i.e. flute, clarinet, saxophone and trumpet) should be provided for the student by their parents if at all possible. Please feel free to contact me for recommendations regarding instrument purchase or rental suggestions. This class is ideal for those who are interested in the Band (Instrumental) track in the Fine Arts Academy. Also, this class may also be ideal for those already with experience but who may need a review and reinforcement of music reading, playing fundamentals and technique that are vital for lasting musical development. No audition is required for placement in the Beginning Band. Attendance and discipline all that is necessary, as well as, the desire and motivation to study a musical instrument!
Intermediate Band
The Intermediate Band is for students who already have an understanding of basic music reading, instrument assembly and maintenance, correct playing position and sound tone production. Instruction offers continued focus on the refinement of tone quality, technique, aural skills and music literacy. This band meets daily as two separate classes (brass/percussion & woodwinds) that combine for performances. These groups will perform in the Winter and Spring Band Concerts. Placement in the level II Intermediate Band is by audition that includes the requirements above.
Marching & Concert Band
The Intermediate Band is for students who already have an understanding of basic music reading, instrument assembly and maintenance, correct playing position and sound tone production. Instruction offers continued focus on the refinement of tone quality, technique, aural skills and music literacy. This band meets daily as two separate classes (brass/percussion & woodwinds) that combine for performances. These groups will perform in the Winter and Spring Band Concerts. Placement in the level II Intermediate Band is by audition that includes the requirements above.
Academy Requirements
- Must take a minimum of 6 semesters of Band
- Must attend and perform in all band performances unless excused prior to the day performance by Mr. Forde
- Must maintain a C average in all courses
- Must attend all afterschool rehearsals unless excused by Mr. Forde
- Must audition for District Honor Band a minimum of two years.
- Must participate in all District and State Evaluations
- Must audition for a minimum of one music scholarship