FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What does the music department have to offer at OPRFHS?

The music department has a wide variety of curricular classes offered during the school day:

Bands: Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble

Orchestras: Concert Orchestra I, Concert Orchestra II, Symphony Orchestra

Choirs: Treble Choir, Chorale, A Cappella Choir

How many concerts are performed throughout the academic year?

Each ensemble performs four to six concerts per school year. Co-curricular ensembles perform at a variety of community events, which are outside of the normal school day.

Which ensemble should I register for as an incoming 9^th grader?

ALL incoming 9^th graders who wish to participate in a performing ensemble MUST register for the following courses.

Band: Concert Band (Course #812)

Orchestra: Concert Orchestra I (Course #816) OR

Concert Orchestra II (817)

Choir: Females – Treble Choir (#826) Males – Chorale (#836)

Seating will be assigned in Concert Band and the Concert Orchestra through an audition at the beginning of the fall semester. Students have an opportunity to challenge for higher seats throughout the year.

How do I know which ensemble to sign up for after my Freshman year?

Auditions for higher ensembles will be held at the end of January/beginning of February for registration purposes. All sophomore band students will be automatically placed into Symphonic Band, unless they choose to audition for Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble. All freshman string players are automatically placed into Concert Orchestra II, unless they audition for Concert Orchestra I in Jan./Feb of their 8^th grade year. A Cappella Choir accepts only junior and senior males and females who audition. Competition for these prestigious ensembles may be intense, depending on the amount of openings for a particular instrument. Approximately 90% of our students in the top ensembles take private lessons, which is evidence that the skill and musicality taught in private lessons are essential.

What fees are required to participate in music?

The only fees required for the curricular ensembles are the rental fees for instruments and attire.

A Pay-to-Play fee ($60) will be required to participate in Marching Band (co-curricular).

Rental Fees: Some larger or less common instruments are available for rental to students. Cellos and basses can be rented for $75 per year. All percussionists are expected to play any assigned instrument. Each percussionist must provide one pair of snare sticks, one pair of timpani mallets, one pair of yellow or red yarn mallets, one pair of acrylic mallets, 1 pitch pipe (F-F), and a stick bag. Lost or broken sticks/mallets must be replaced. Percussion rental fee for the use of school timpani/bass drum/keyboards, etc. is $50 per year. Other instruments are also rented at $75 per year. Tuxedo rental fees (for upper instrumental ensembles) are $20 per year; Chorale and Treble Choir fees are $8 per year. All tuxedos must be returned dry cleaned at the end of the academic year – a $15 obligation fee will be applied if not. Gentlemen in lower instrumental ensembles must purchase a tux shirt/tie/cummerbund combo for $25 or provide their own.

Are there extra-curricular music ensembles?

We call our ensembles that meet outside of school CO-CURRICULAR ensembles. Our co-curricular ensembles enhance and enrich our curricular ensembles. You must be involved in any curricular music class to participate in our co-curricular ensembles. Our small vocal ensembles meet during lunch or before school and require an audition for entrance. Chamber Strings meets one day per week before school and entrance is by director invitation only. We currently have two co-curricular Jazz Bands, which meet after school once per week. The Marching Band is the most time-consuming co-curricular ensemble. All participants are required to attend Band Camp, which is held 1 week before school starts in the fall. Marching Band rehearses everyday after school except Tuesdays until 5:30 DURING FOOTBALL SEASON ONLY. Marching Band also performs at all home football games, 2 to 3 competitions and the Ethnic Fest and Memorial Day parades.

Are there other non-performance classes?

We offer AP Music Theory every year. This course is designed for students considering a major or minor in music at the college level, but not exclusively for those students. Course content includes the study of: music theory, harmony, composition, the evolution of Western “art” music, and music literature. Students will learn the skills necessary to pass typical entrance exams given by college music programs and are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement Theory exam for possible college credit.

Beginning Guitar and Intermediate/Advanced Guitar is offered to students who wish to start learning how to play acoustic guitar. Both courses will focus on note reading, tablature, chords, improvisation, solo/duet/ensemble performance. Students must supply their own acoustic guitar. Locked instument storage is available.

How can I contact the music department?