Choir
Teacher: Dale McCoy
Advanced Choir
Choral repertoire of the highest caliber is performed. Students develop musicianship and specific performance skills through ensemble and solo singing. Activities include developing quality repertoire in the diverse styles of choral literature, performing, listening to and analyzing music, and the integration of music study into other subject areas. In addition, students will develop acappela singing, sight-reading, and critical listening skills.
Beginning Choirs
Two sections of Beginning Choir are offered based on voicing (Treble or Tenor/Bass). Students develop musicianship and specific performance skills through ensemble and solo singing. Numerous vocal styles are explored including Gospel, pop, folk, Broadway, and classical. Activities include performing, listening to, and analyzing music, and the integration of music study into other subject areas.
Concert & Marching Band
Teacher: Nick Scroggins
AP Music Theory
This course is designed to appeal to the serious music student who desires advanced musical training. All students who are considering majoring in music during college are strongly encouraged to take this course before graduating. It is preferred that students are also enrolled in a music ensemble while taking this course. Students develop a high level of musical literacy through harmonic analysis, ear training, advanced notation, and composition. Students will briefly explore the major musical style periods, understanding both Western and Non-Western music history and culture.
Beginning Concert Band
Students develop musicianship in tone production, technical skills, intonation, music reading skills, and the study of musical style. Performances include three formal concerts, contests, athletic events, and one commencement ceremony.
Intermediate Concert Band
Intermediate Concert Band is a one-year course designed for students who played a woodwind or brass instrument in middle school band and is based on the Indiana Academic Standards for High School Instrumental Music. It is a laboratory experience designed to develop and refine the fundamentals of good instrumental music performance. A limited number of public performances may serve as a culmination of daily rehearsal and musical goals. Students are required to participate in performance opportunities outside of the school day that support and extend learning in the classroom.
Advanced Concert Band
Advanced Concert Band is a one-year course designed for woodwind and brass students who have been through Intermediate Concert Band and are admitted by the Director and is based on the Indiana Academic Standards for High School Instrumental Music. It is an advanced laboratory experience designed to develop and refine the fundamentals of good instrumental music performance. A limited number of public performances may serve as a culmination of daily rehearsal and musical goals. Students are required to participate in performance opportunities outside of the school day that support and extend learning in the classroom.
Instrumental Ensemble: Percussion Ensemble
Instrumental Ensemble is a one-year course designed for percussion students who have already been enrolled in Band, either in middle school or high school. Students taking this course are provided with a balanced comprehensive study of music by focusing on the areas of percussion. Students must demonstrate a high level of technical mastery and will perform repertoire of the highest caliber. The course content will include playing music for all band concerts with the addition of specialized percussion ensemble repertoire. A limited amount of time outside of the school day may be scheduled for rehearsals and performances. In addition, a limited number of public performances may serve as a culmination of daily rehearsal and musical goals. Students must participate in performance opportunities outside of the school day that support and extend the learning in the classroom.
Jazz Ensemble
Students will examine the various styles of jazz, the harmonic structures associated with jazz, and jazz improvisation. Instrumentation for the class will be confined to saxophones, trumpets, trombones, drums, guitar, bass, and piano. A limited amount of time outside of the school day may be scheduled for rehearsals and performances. In addition, a limited number of public performances may serve as a culmination of daily rehearsal and musical goals. Students must participate in performance opportunities outside of the school day that support and extend the learning in the classroom. Student participants must also be receiving instruction in another band or orchestra class offering at the discretion of the director.
Marching Band
The Marching Band performs a selected field show at home varsity football games, marching contests, and local parades throughout the fall. Rehearsals for this ensemble are on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:00 to 5:30 PM. Students will receive credit towards their P.E. requirements through participation in marching band. One season of marching band is equivalent to one semester of P.E. This allows students to take another elective in place of P.E. with two years of marching band.
Orchestra
Teacher: Angela Thomas
New Albany High School Orchestra has a rich history of music performance and advocacy. Our three orchestras include Baroque Strings, Concert Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra. In addition to our three primary ensembles, Silken Strings is our community outreach extra curricular group. NAHS Orchestra consistently receives the highest awards at the local and state ISSMA Music Contests. Also, many of our students participate in the Floyd County Youth Symphony, Louisville Youth Orchestra, Indiana All-State Orchestra, and Tri-M Music Honor Society. NAHS Orchestra has performed in numerous clinics and festivals across the country. Most recently the orchestra performed in Field Museum in Chicago, IL (2019) and recorded a performance in Studio B in Nashville, TN (2015). More information about our orchestra’s current events and past performances can be found on our website.