Music

Marching Band Requirement: Students enrolled in wind ensemble, concert band or symphonic band in the FALL semester are expected to perform as part of the marching band. Students involved in fall athletics at GPHS are encouraged to continue in the band program and have the option of doing marching band, (director approval required). 

CONCERT BAND
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

This ensemble is designed for all incoming freshman. It is another first class performing group at Grants Pass High School. This group will explore wind literature in various, contrasting styles. The class is designed to build fundamental skills through basic, enduring, technical, and tone exercises. This is a great opportunity to fine tune playing and listening skills in an ensemble setting. This band is a performance based class and all evening concerts and rehearsals are required. Please see above about the marching band requirement. 

WIND ENSEMBLE
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites:
Recommendation by audition

This is the top band performing group at Grants Pass High School. Devised of the common instrumentation (45-50 winds), this ensemble will perform throughout the state at festivals and competitions for band. The class will continue to build more advanced, individual musicianship through large and small ensemble performance. This is the opportunity for our advanced musicians to showcase their talent through the performance of advanced wind literature. This band is a performance based class and all evening concerts and rehearsals are required. Please see above about the marching band requirement.

JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites:
Recommendation by audition

The Jazz ensemble at Grants Pass is a performing group consisting of 5 saxes, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets and a rhythm section (piano, bass, drum set). This ensemble will perform traditional jazz literature at various jazz festivals around the state of Oregon. The group will also perform locally at functions and concerts. Students must participate in a regular “concert ensemble” (concert or symphonic band/wind ensemble) to take part in jazz band. This will ultimately be left up to the director’s discretion. Students not enrolled in a concert band class will need to pay a $50.00 fee to offset the cost of instruments, festival fees and music. This band is a performance based class and all evening concerts and rehearsals are required. Note: Concurrent enrollment in orchestra is mandatory for Bass players in Jazz Band.

SYMPHONIC BAND
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites:
Recommendation by audition

This ensemble is another first class performing group at Grant Pass High School. This group will explore wind literature in various, contrasting styles. The class is designed to build fundamental skills through basic, enduring, technical, and tone exercises. This is a great opportunity to fine tune playing and listening skills in an ensemble setting. This band is a performance based class and all evening concerts and rehearsals are required. Please see above about the marching band requirement.

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites:
Recommendation by audition

Percussion Ensemble is a performance-oriented class that focuses on the performance of both current and historical percussion repertoire. This class utilizes a large variety of percussion instruments including but not limited to: piano, marching percussion instruments, marimba, vibraphone, accessory percussion, etc. This performance group is a great class for all levels of percussion ability as it covers everything from basic rhythmic patterns to advanced world percussion polyrhythms. The ability to read music is helpful but not required. New students to this class will need to pay a $75 dollar fee separate from the Marching Band fee to cover method books and sticks/mallets. As this ensemble is a performance-based ensemble all after school concerts and events are required. Please see the above Marching Band note for all first semester percussionists.

Concert Choir                                                           
Grades: 9-12                                        
Audition Required

An auditioned choir for students who already possess intermediate to advanced skills in vocal production and music literacy. (This is determined during audition)The choir performs at various choral concerts throughout the year, performing both sacred and secular music, which encompass all periods of musical history.  They may also participate in community concerts, festivals, competitions, and tours throughout the region and abroad. Sectional rehearsals are required for this course-please plan ahead! (see choir handbook- pg15 )This choir travels out of town (Grants Pass) at least once per year. Additionally, out of state travel occurs bi-annually for this particular group- this is not an out of State Travel year.

Contemporary Choir                                          
Grades: 9-12                                        
No Audition

A choir in which students learn how to read music, sing with proper technique, and gain confidence in their own singing skills. This choir is the required starting point for students with no previous musical experience, but also builds skills for returning musicians as well. This choir performs at various choral concerts throughout the year, performing both sacred and secular music, which encompass all periods of musical history - with an emphasis on contemporary literature. This choir typically does not travel.

Melodairs                                                             
Grades: 9-12                                        
Audition Required

An auditioned group of 20+ soprano and alto voices with prior musical knowledge and skill. This group is designed for the continued strengthening of musical skills and vocal production for these voice types. The choir performs at various choral concerts throughout the year, performing both sacred and secular music, which encompass all periods of musical history.  They may also participate in community concerts, festivals, and competitions. This choir travels out of town (Grants Pass) at least once every other year.

Sounds Unlimited                                               
Grades: 9-12                
Audition and Director Approval Required

An elite performance group consisting of 8-12 students with advanced musical skills. This groups was designed to represent our program at smaller venues. The choir performs at various choral concerts throughout the year performing both sacred and secular music, which encompass all genres and periods of musical history.  This particular group is often additionally hired for public or private performances. It is required that members of Sounds Unlimited are also members of the concert choir (Another large music ensemble such as band or orchestra is also acceptable, at director’s discretion.) Because a history of excellence in ensemble skills is required for this group. Students wishing to audition for Sounds who are new to choir classes at GP are required to turn first turn in a music teacher recommendation.

Note: This choir travels annually throughout the GP community, and often performs outside of regular school hours. Members are expected to plan work schedules, appointments, etc. accordingly. Absences from performances will result in dismissal from the group.

Tenor/Bass                                                             
Grades: 9-12                                        
Audition Required

An auditioned group of tenor and bass voices with prior musical knowledge and skill. This group is designed for the continued strengthening of musical skills and vocal production for these voice types. The choir performs at various choral concerts throughout the year, performing both sacred and secular music, which encompass all periods of musical history.  They may also participate in community concerts, festivals, and competitions. This choir travels out of town (Grants Pass) at least once every other year.

Please Note: These are all choral (group-based) performance classes. (Not solo classes.) Solo opportunities arise on occasion in choral classes but are not frequent. Those interested only in solo singing should see Ms. Lehnhardt for options regarding private lessons in the community.

CONCERT ORCHESTRA
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites:
None (previous experience highly recommended)

Concert Orchestra provides continuing growth and foundational studies in music through the study and performance and literature in an orchestral setting. This ensemble is designed for incoming freshman as well as returning orchestra students to GPHS and is a prerequisite to String Orchestra. Although private study is encouraged, it is not a class requirement. This orchestra performs several concerts each year and is designed for students interested in learning and reinforcing fundamental performance skills as well as perfecting proper technique, and refining musical and ensemble skills. This course does require performances and rehearsals outside of class and members are expected to be dedicated to this time commitment which focuses on refining musical skills.

 

STRING ORCHESTRA
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites:
Concert Orchestra

String Orchestra provides continuing growth in music through the study and performance of intermediate orchestral literature. Private study is recommended as this course is designed for serious, motivated students interested in building and refining their technique, performance ability, and ensemble skills. This orchestra performs several concerts each year and competes at the district level. Students are expected to participate in occasional full symphony rehearsals outside of the school day and are expected to be dedicated to this time commitment which focuses on refining and perfecting musical skills.

 

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites:
Audition

Chamber Orchestra is an auditioned performance ensemble that provides continuing growth in music through the study and performance of advanced orchestral literature. Private study is highly recommended as students must meet rigorous audition criteria to be considered for this group. This orchestra comprised of elite performers has the busiest concert schedule, most frequent rehearsals, regularly performs in the community, and competes at district and state festivals. Additionally, students in the Chamber Orchestra will be expected to maintain participation in small ensembles and occasional full symphony rehearsals outside of the school day. Members are expected to be dedicated to this time commitment which focuses on refining and perfecting musical skills. A history of excellence in music participation, preparation, performance, and attitude is required for this group.