Choir
Concert Choir
Students gain the knowledge and skills that enable them to sing all levels of music literature in a choir. This principal singing group performs at several concerts, festivals, or other events during the school year. Participation at all performances is required. All aspects of music literature are studied, ranging from early classics to contemporary music.
Madrigals
This course extends the student's knowledge and skills of singing performance and vocal technique. The class studies music from the 1600’s to the present and studies voicing ranging from unison to 8- part harmony. All performances are required. This, the most advanced choir, performs many times throughout the year.
Band
9th Grade Concert Band
This course is designed for freshman students with some experience in performance of wind, brass, or percussion instruments. Students learn to read music notation, rhythmic notation, terms and concepts associated with performing, and the fundamentals of performance on the instrument of their choice. This ensemble performs periodically at Branham, as well as at off campus events.
Symphonic Band
Symphonic Band is a performance-based ensemble open to students who have taken Concert Band, or prior experience on their instrument and the ability to read music. The ensemble consists of wind and brass instruments and percussion. Many styles of music are studied from classical to modern works. Study includes the care and cultivation of tone, building technique, responsible rehearsal habits, listening skills, and the ability to analyze and evaluate music and music performances. Several performances outside the school day may be required.
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Wind Ensemble
​This advanced band course is designed to extend the development of the serious music student. This class explores concert repertoire of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. The ensemble performs frequently and may include travel to festivals. Rehearsals outside the class period may be required to prepare for concerts and festivals.
Jazz Ensemble
This advanced course extends the skills developed in Concert Bands and adds jazz technique to the classically trained musician. Emphasis is placed in the areas of jazz history, theory, and performance. Students enrolled in Jazz Ensemble learn the fundamental aspects of jazz through the performance of standard literature from the 1920’s to the present. Students perform at two or more concerts and festivals per year. All performances are required.
All bands also participate in our Pep Band for the home football games!
Guitar
Guitar 1
This course develops the knowledge of guitar techniques with an emphasis on learning to read music and developing the abilities to learn and understand the playing techniques used in playing the classical guitar.
Guitar 2
This one-year course is designed for students who have successfully completed the skills outlined in the Guitar 1 syllabus. This course includes further development of the skills necessary to become independent as a guitarist. Students will receive guidance and direction in solving problems related to playing the guitar on an intermediate level and will learn many of the different styles, skills, and techniques required to become a successful guitarist. Areas of concentration include correct posture, note reading, flat-picking, rhythmic patterns, chord study, and finger picking styles, musical forms, and improvisation and performing experiences. A progression of technical proficiency is expected.
