The Sisters High School Music program strives to provide high school students with a well-rounded music education. The Sisters School District understands the value of music as part of an essential well-rounded education and has created a collection of course offerings designed to expand a student’s musical development while at the same time enhancing their whole education.
The Sisters High School Concert Choir and Concert Band focus on learning great music literature from a variety of periods and styles. These varsity groups present four concerts a year in addition to performing at contests. The Jazz Choir and Jazz Band perform swing, blues, ballad, pop, and jazz standards. The Jazz Ensembles perform a countless number of times around the northwest for local events, tours, festivals, and contests. Every other year, the high school choir, band, and art programs combine forces to produce a full-scale Broadway musical.
The Sisters High School Americana Project Class studies the roots of folk music in our culture. Students in the class learn how to play the guitar, song-write, sing, sound-engineer, and perform live. Americana Project students partner closely with the Sisters Folk Festival and can be seen performing in local events throughout the year. Advanced Americana Project students record a CD as a group project yearly.
Credits: 1.5 / Grade: 9-12
Prerequisites/Requirements: Middle school band or teacher approval
The Sisters High School Wind Ensemble is committed to musical excellence through performance of quality and varied musical literature. Students of the Wind Ensemble are required to perform three concerts (Fall, Winter and Spring), in some school assemblies, and for various festivals and competitions around the Northwest. They are also asked to march in multiple parades in the Fall and Spring, as well as participate in pep band for football season and basketball season as schedules allow. Students who are proficient on string instruments (violin, viola, cello and double bass) are also encouraged to participate. This course is intended to be year-long with .5 credits per term.
Credits: 1.5 / Grade: 9-12
Prerequisites/Requirements: Audition and teacher approval
The Sisters Outlaw Jazz Band is the premier instrumental ensemble in the district, and is available only upon a successful audition and instructor approval. The Jazz Band performs a variety of musical styles, including; swing, latin, funk, rock, and fusion, among others. Students will develop extended musical techniques, gain enhanced theory knowledge, and receive training in arranging and improvising. Each year this ensemble travels to festivals and competitions around the Northwest and beyond. The Jazz Band is also expected to participate in additional performances such as; football and basketball games, Holiday Showcase, My Own Two Hands, and other miscellaneous events throughout the year. Eligible instruments include; Saxophone (alto, tenor, bari), Trombone, Trumpet, Drum Set, Bass, Piano, and Guitar. Auditions are held in the Spring. This course is intended to be year-long with .5 credits per term.
Credits: 1.5 / Grade: 9-12
The Sisters High School Concert Choir is committed to musical excellence through the performance of quality vocal literature. It is open to any interested students. Singing experience is helpful but not as important as a
desire to learn. During the 2nd semester, excellence will be achieved through the study of music theory and the performance of music from a variety of periods and styles. Participation in festivals and concerts is required. During the 1st semester of Concert Choir class, students will learn the art of musical theater staging, dancing, vocal stylings and acting. Most rehearsals will take place during the school day. After school rehearsals and performances are sometimes required. Students will learn a full-scale musical or musical medley and perform it at the end of the semester. Open auditions for lead roles occur at the end of the previous school year. All students are welcome to join the chorus without audition. This course is intended to be year-long with .5 credits per term.
Credits: 1.5 / Grade: 9-12
Prerequisites/Requirements: Audition and teacher approval
The Sisters High School Jazz Choir performs a variety of vocal jazz styles. Singing experience is necessary as well as a willingness to try dance and movement when appropriate to the literature. Members will develop special performance techniques required by the many different styles of jazz. Emphasis will be on swing, blues, ballad, pop and vocal jazz. Students will be encouraged to perform both written and improvised solos. Participation in festivals, performances and fundraising activities is required. Every year the Jazz Choir takes an educational performing trip in the Spring. Auditions are held in the spring. This course is intended to be year-long with .5 credits per term.
Credits: .5 / Grade: 9-12
Prerequisites/Requirements: Basic familiarity w/guitar or other folk instrument
This class is a study of the roots of folk music in our culture. The students are provided the opportunity to learn the basics of playing the guitar and songwriting, while they gain an understanding of how music has formed and shaped historical, cultural, and social events in America. Students will perform their songs in class, as well as have many opportunities to perform outside of school. World-Class professional musicians often visit the class and give workshops on songwriting and performing. Students also learn to engineer sound and recording equipment. At the end of every year, selected Americana Project students produce a full-length, professional CD of their original music.
Credits: .5 /Grade: 9-12
This class is designed to cover the basics of auditorium sound and lighting, studio recording techniques, music theory, music composition and arranging, creating podcasts, video editing, and the history of recording technology. Included is a 6 week individual or group project, during which students can choose their area of focus and submit a final project relating to that field. AV club students are encouraged to participate. Students in this class are also expected to assist with events in the auditorium (both during and after school), and help with various projects throughout the year for other school programs.
Credits: .5 / Grade: 9-12
The Beginning Guitar class will teach students the basics of playing a guitar. The class will focus on playing chords, melody lines, and scales in fun songs – from Folk, Rock, Country, and Pop styles. If a student wants to continue his/her guitar education, this class will prepare students with the skills they need to succeed in the Americana Project. Singing and performing in front of large crowds are not a required part of this class.
Credits: .5 / Grade: 9-12
Students will learn to identify, compare and contrast cultural, financial, historical, and societal influences on popular music within the United States. Students will become familiar with and complete projects about trending genres and artists throughout the decades as well as their chart-topping and/or culturally relevant songs. Students will connect popular music throughout the decades to technology, civil rights, government, film, and popular culture. This class is lecture/listening and discussion-based with weekly projects including writing, art, debate, and audio recording.
Sisters School District Website