Great Falls High School

Music

Aeolian Girls’ Choir*

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite: Placement Test
Grade Level(s): 9
A girls’ choral group. Students will develop music theory, sight reading and musicianship skill. Vocal skills and performance will be emphasized. A wide variety of choral literature will be studied and performed.
Download the Choir Syllabus.

Men’s Varsity Choir

Length of Class:  Year
Prerequisite:  None
Grade Level(s): 9
This is an entry level choir designed for boys with minimal choral experience, which develops music theory, sight-reading and musicianship skills as well as vocal and performance abilities. This class will explore a variety of musical styles and time periods.
Download the Choir Syllabus.

Chorale Choir*

Length of Class:  Year
Prerequisite:  Placement Test
Grade Level(s):  10, 11, 12
An intermediate choral group, which continues to build vocal and musicianship skills. A wide variety of literature styles is performed.
Download the Choir Syllabus.

Lyric Women’s Choir*

Length of Class:  Year
Prerequisite:  Placement Test
Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12
Lyric is an intermediate women’s choir focused on developing individual voices and musicianship. Emphasis is placed on building confidence, teamwork, and increasing each member’s potential. Lyric performs a wide variety of music throughout the year, with limited travel or outside commitments.
Download the Choir Syllabus.

Select Women's Choir*

Length of Class:  Year
Prerequisite:  Audition
Grade Level(s):  10, 11, 12
An advanced women's choir for students with good vocal ability and musicianship skills. Emphasis is on building good tone quality, sight-reading, and the performance of a wide variety of choral music.  There is limited travel.
Download the Choir Syllabus.

Delphian Choir *

Length of Class:  Year
Prerequisite:  Audition
Grade Level(s):  10, 11, 12
This is a highly select ensemble.  It is a versatile group, performing music from a variety of musical periods and genres.  This ensemble travels and performs often representing Great Falls High School.  Entrance into this choir requires a mastery of music theory, sight-singing and musicianship skills as well as excellent vocal and performance abilities. 
Download the Choir Syllabus.

Rhapsody*

Length of Class:  Year
Prerequisite:  Audition & Delphian Membership
Grade Level(s):  11, 12
This ensemble is derived from the Delphian Choir.  Entrance into this choir requires a mastery of music theory, sight-singing and musicianship skills as well as excellent vocal and performance abilities.  This ensemble is considerably smaller, making it ideal for chamber music and repertoire suited for ensembles of its kind such as jazz and quality popular music.  There are additional time requirements and events for students in Rhapsody.
Download the Choir Syllabus.​

String Ensemble*

Length of Class:  Year
Prerequisite:  Prior Orchestra Experience
Grade Level (s):  9
An entry-level orchestra which develops musicianship and rehearsal techniques.  A variety of literature is presented with emphasis on developing technical skills.
Download the Chamber Syllabus.

Concert Orchestra*

Length of Class:  Year
Prerequisite:  String Ensemble
Grade Level (s):  10, 11, 12
An intermediate to advanced ensemble which continues to build technique and musicianship.  Freshmen with advanced skills may request an audition.  A variety of literature is presented.
Download the Chamber Syllabus.

Chamber Orchestra*

Length of Class:  Year
Prerequisite:  Audition
Grade Level (s):  10, 11, 12
For students with advanced string skills. A wide variety of literature is presented with emphasis on excellence in performance. This group represents Great Falls High School at various festivals and events throughout the year.   Students must be highly committed and are encouraged to take private lessons.  Sophomores with advanced skills may request an audition.
Download the Chamber Syllabus.

Percussion Ensemble*

Length of Class: Year
Prerequisite:  Required of all 9th grade percussion students, and an elective for grades 10-12, if they are also enrolled in Concert or Symphonic Band.
Grade Level (s):  9-12
This class will explore basic percussion skills, including rudiments and accessory percussion skills, as well as working and playing through percussion ensemble literature. This class will also focus on marching band drum line techniques in the fall during football season. All 9th grade percussion students should enroll in this class and then will be assigned parts to play with the Varsity Band in concerts. Upperclassmen will perform in various ensembles throughout the year as part of the class.
Download the Band Handbook.

Varsity Band*

Length of Class:  Year
Prerequisite:  Prior Band Experience
Grade Level (s):  9
Continues to build basic band skills learned in middle school. Will study a wide range of music along with emphasis on technical skills. A variety of band literature will be studied along with an emphasis on individual technical skills. Band students will also be members of the Thundering Herd Marching Band.
Download the Band Handbook.

Concert Band*

Length of Class:  Year
Prerequisite:  Varsity Band
Grade Level (s):  10, 11, 12
Some freshmen with director permission may be allowed to take this class. Continues building music ensemble skills with an emphasis on technical skills as well as expanding into more advanced band literature. Students are also members of the Thundering Herd Marching Band in the fall.
Download the Band Handbook.

Guitar 101

Length of Class:  Year
Prerequisite:  None
Grade Level(s):  9, 10, 11, 12
This is a beginner level course for acoustic guitar. Topics will include note reading, composition, playing chords and tablature. Students will play as a soloist and as a member of an ensemble. Many different playing techniques will be studied that encompass those used in classical to rock and roll guitar. Guitars are available to check out; however, students may use their own if they wish. A rental fee is assessed for school instruments.
Download the syllabus here.

Music Theory (Honors Class, Dual Credit)

Length of Class:  Year
Prerequisite:  1 year of music study in performing ensemble or instructor permission
Grade Level(s):  11, 12 (10 with instructor approval.)
Music theory studies the elements of music: sound, pitch, rhythm, melody, harmony, and notation.  Students will learn to speak the language of music, as well as learn how to analyze and dictate music.  This class explores the practices and possibilities of music notation. 

Symphonic Band*

Length of Class:  Year
Prerequisite:  Percussion Ensemble or Concert Band/Audition
Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12
Trains members to attain the highest standards in performance and artistic expression. The class contains numerous performances, festivals and tours so students must be highly committed. Students are also members of the Thundering Herd Marching Band in the fall and are encouraged to partake in small ensembles and to take private lessons.
Download the Band Handbook.

Jazz Ensemble

Length of Class:  Year
Prerequisite:  Concert or Symphonic Band, and audition
Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12
Must audition. This is a highly selective big band jazz ensemble dedicated to the highest standards in jazz performance. There will be numerous concerts, festivals and tours so students must be highly committed. Membership is dependent upon a balanced instrumentation in all sections. Individual improvisation is stressed in class as well as performance techniques.  Students must be a member of a regular concert band as well, except for piano, bass and guitar vacancies.
Download the Band Handbook.

Bison Band

Length of Class:  Year
Prerequisite: Var. Band; Cons. Band; Perc. Ens.
Audition Required. Yes
Grade Level(s):  10,11,12
Trains members to attain high standards in performance and artistic expression.  Students are also members of the Thundering Heard Marching Band in the fall and are encouraged to take private lessons.
*$10.00 Uniform Fee for all Music Groups.
Download the Band Handbook.