Overton High School
World Percussion
Instrumental Techniques World Percussion: Students learn standards based percussion technical and performance skills, enhanced by historical and cultural background knowledge of percussion instruments. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals.
Wind Ensemble
This class, designed for students with substantial experience in solo performance and larger performing ensembles, promotes significant engagement with and appreciation for music through performance of sophisticated wind and percussion literature. Study focuses on mastery of highly advanced music skills, techniques, and processes, as well as creativity through composition and/or arranging and use of current technology to enhance creativity and performance effectiveness.
Music Theory
Students learn how music is constructed and developed, and acquire a basic understanding of the structural, technical, and historical elements of music. Student theorists develop basic ear-training, keyboard, and functional singing skills, and engage in the creative process through individual and collaborative projects.
Concert Band
Concert Band: This class, designed for students ready to build on skills and knowledge previously acquired in a middle or High School (9-12) instrumental ensemble, promotes the enjoyment and appreciation of music through performance of high-quality wind and percussion literature. Rehearsals focus on development of critical listening/aural skills, individual musicianship, instrumental technique, refinement of ensemble skills, and aesthetic engagement culminating in periodic public performances.
Choir
Chorus-Middle School (5-8): Students with little or no choral experience develop beginning vocal technique and skills, critical and creative thinking skills, and an appreciation of music from around the world and through time.
Strings/Orchestra
Strings/Orchestra – Elementary (K-4): Students who have little or no experience on violin, viola, cello, bass, or harp explore high-quality music literature written or transcribed for developing string orchestra. Study includes the development of foundational instrumental ensemble techniques, performance skills, music literacy, and aesthetic awareness. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals.
Guitar
Guitar - Classical: Students develop guitar skills and knowledge, including simple and full-strum chords, bass lines and lead sheets, barre and power chords, foundational music literacy and theory, major scales, simple finger-picking patterns, and ensemble skills for a variety of music. Guitarists explore the careers and music of significant performers in a variety of styles. Public performances may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals.
Piano
Students develop piano skills performing piano music of various styles and appropriate difficulty levels. Within a standards based curriculum students learn music notation and develop listening skills by identifying and analyzing elements and structural characteristics of music.
General Music
General Music: Students explore the essential elements of 20th- and 21st-century music in America and global cultures. Participants focus on the creation, use, and performance of music; and the modes of listening, distributing, and gaining access to music.