Instrumental Music

Through the study of instrumental music and playing in ensembles, students learn countless lifelong skills that help them develop into intelligent, creative leaders.   Students learn leadership, organization, dedication, and teamwork, and also develop an interactive awareness of what is occurring around them through ensemble playing. In Dysart, our instrumental program curriculum is designed to develop skills and understand the aesthetics of music, achieve instrumental competency, develop a proficient level of reading music, explore and perform a variety of literature, and help students understand their role within an ensemble. 

Instrumental Courses Offered In High School 

Percussion Techniques  

Offered: 9-12th Grade   

All High Schools  

Students will study, rehearse, and perform intermediate to advanced levels of percussion music. They will focus on percussion technique and style.

Concert Band 

Offered: 9-12th Grade   

All High Schools 

Students will study, rehearse, and perform various styles of music on wind and percussion instruments.  The curriculum includes a focus on ear training, tone production, and instrumental techniques. 

*Leveled Ensembles:  Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble

Orchestra 

Offered: 9-12th Grade   

VVHS, SRHS 

Students will study, rehearse, and perform various styles of music on string instruments.  The curriculum includes a focus on ear training, tone production, and instrumental techniques.  

Jazz Band 

Offered: 9-12th Grade   

All High Schools

Students will focus on learning musical skills and techniques around various genres of jazz literature. Students will learn improvisational skills and basic jazz theory concepts.

Keyboard/Piano 

Offered: 9-12th Grade  

All High Schools

Students will use digital keyboards. Students will build a strong foundation in reading music, notation, and performance skills. Students will perform a variety of traditional and popular music, as well as explore music throughout history and various cultures.

Guitar 

Offered: 9-12th Grade  

DHS, SRHS, WCHS

Students will learn the fundamentals of playing a stringed instrument and build a strong foundation in reading music, notation, and performance skills. Students will perform a variety of genres of guitar literature, as well as explore music throughout history and various cultures.

AP Music Theory 

Offered: 9-12th Grade   

SRHS, VVHS 

Students will learn to recognize, understand and describe the instrumentation and processes of music heard or presented in a score. Students will master aural skills and sight-singing skills through written, creative, and analytical exercises.

Instrumental Courses Offered in K-8 and Middle School

Band 

Offered in 5-8th Grade 

All K-8 and Middle Schools 

Band is designed for students who are interested in learning an instrument. The primary focus of this class is on basic instrumental skill development, musicianship and music reading.  

*Leveled Ensembles: 

At K-8 schools, students are placed in ensembles by grade level (5th grade band, 6th grade band, etc.) 

At Middle schools, students have the following options:  5th grade band, 6th grade band, 7/8th Beginning Band, 7/8th Intermediate Band, or 7/8th Advanced Band. 

Orchestra 

Offered in 5-8th Grade

West Point Elementary, Freedom Traditional Academy, and Ashton Ranch MS 

Orchestra is designed for students who are interested in starting a string instrument for the first time (violin, viola, cello, string bass). The primary focus of this class is on basic instrumental skill development, musicianship and music reading.

Piano/ Keyboarding 

Offered in 7-8th Grade 

Middle Schools Only  

Piano is designed for students to learn the basic fundamentals of how to play the piano. Students will learn music theory including how to read notes, label the lines and spaces on the music staff, count rhythms, use correct fingering and follow a piece of music correctly.  Students will perform various styles of music on the piano.  

*Students in K-8 schools will have the opportunity to learn the keyboard as part of their General Music course.  

Ukulele/ Guitar 

Offered in 7-8th Grade 

Middle Schools Only 

Ukulele/Guitar is designed to teach students the basic fundamentals of how to play the ukulele. Students will learn how to properly hold, pluck and strum the instrument. Students will learn how to read notes and chords, use correct fingering, and follow a piece of music correctly.  Students will perform various styles of music on the ukulele/guitar.  (Guitar vs. Ukulele is determined by whether the school has guitars or ukuleles.) 

* Students in K-8 schools will have the opportunity to learn ukulele/guitar as part of their General Music course.

Bucket Drumming 

Offered in 7-8th Grade 

Middle Schools 

Bucket Drumming is designed to teach students basic sticking techniques and then work together to perform various rhythms, grooves, and songs. Students will get a chance to study drumming from different areas including Africa, Latin America, and the United States.  

*Students in K-8 schools will have the opportunity to learn bucket drumming as part of their General Music course.

General Music 

Offered in Kindergarten -8th Grade 

All K-4 and K-8 Schools 

Our general music curriculum is designed to develop a greater understanding and love of music through singing, reading, playing instruments, moving, listening, analyzing, and composing, helping to support the academic success and development of the whole child.