Music

Concert Band

1 Credit
Course No. 707
Trimesters: 3

Prerequisite: Successful completion of the band program at the student’s previous middle school or demonstrate an appropriate level of performance.

Concert Band is an immersive experience that creates a community of musicians through a rigorous program and performance schedule. A variety of exciting and challenging marching and concert band literature will be studied and performed, with an emphasis on each student's individual improvement and active participation in rehearsals and performances. In addition to performances at school and in the community, students have the opportunity to audition for regional and state music festivals, and go on a major trip out of state.

Concert Band meets daily across all three trimesters. Students attend a mandatory one-week band camp at the high school in August to prepare for marching season, which comprises the band curriculum for trimester 1. During concert band season (trimesters 2 and 3), two major concerts are performed.
Mandatory performances throughout the year include: marching and playing at football games, the Memorial Day parade, and performing at graduation.

Symphonic Band

1 Credit
Course No. 706
Trimesters: 3

Prerequisite: Concert Band (Course 707). Any student who has not taken Concert Band or students new to Daniel Hand High School must audition with the band director and demonstrate an appropriate level of performance.

Symphonic Band kicks up the intensity, leadership, and independence by performing more advanced literature to a wider variety of venues and audiences. More advanced and challenging marching and concert band literature will be studied and performed, with an emphasis on each student's individual improvement and active participation in rehearsals and performances. In addition to performances at school and in the community, students have the opportunity to audition for regional and state music festivals, and go on a major trip out of state.

Symphonic Band meets daily across all three trimesters. Students attend a mandatory one-week band camp at the high school in August to prepare for marching season, which comprises the band curriculum for trimester 1. During concert band season (trimesters 2 and 3), two major concerts are performed.

Mandatory performances throughout the year include: marching and playing at football games, the Memorial Day parade, and performing at graduation (grade 11 only).

Show Band  (Formerly titled: Show Choir Band)
0.4 Credit 
Course No. 726
Trimesters: 2
Prerequisite: Acceptance into this course is based on audition.

It’s time to turn the amp up to 11!! This rocking ensemble is the backbone of the Show Choir. The Show Band provides opportunities for students to perform music at a professional level. Every year is organized around new musical productions to push the repertoire and skillsets of the students to make them more versatile musicians.

Enrollment is determined by audition, which will be held during the spring of the previous year. Show Band will participate in mandatory performances outside of the school day at various festivals outside of Connecticut.

Note: Class will meet from 2:04 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. Wednesday and Friday.

Jazz Band

1 Credit
Course No. 703
Trimesters: 3
 

Prerequisite: Acceptance into this course is based on audition.

Do you want to take your musicianship and performance skills to the next level? Play multiple gigs throughout the school year both locally and out of state? Jazz Band is an advanced level ensemble, performing music from a multitude of genres from the past 100 years. Students will learn how to create improvisations based on a deepening understanding of musical composition and increased comfort in taking musical risks in front of live audiences.

Jazz Band consists of the following instrumentation: saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drum set, piano, guitar, bass/bass guitar. Enrollment is determined by audition, which will be held during the spring of the previous year. At least three mandatory major concerts will be performed yearly. The ensemble will also have opportunities to perform at outside functions throughout the year, including local schools, events, and a biennial trip to NYC.

Note: Class will meet from 2:04 p.m. - 2:55 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Flag Squad

No Credit
Course No. 709
Trimesters: 1

Prerequisite: Acceptance into this group is based on audition.

Have you ever wanted to perform in front of a crowd of people at a Friday night football game but you aren’t a musician? Then the Tiger Flag Squad is for you! The flag squad is selected through tryouts during the spring of the previous year. Students do not need prior experience and will be taught a routine by our current flag squad members for the tryout.

Students attend a mandatory one-week band camp at the high school in August to prepare for marching season. Mandatory performances at home football games and parades with the Tiger Marching Band are the main activities of this group. In addition, the flag squad will have the opportunity to travel out of state with the band when they go on their biennial trip.

Note: The Flag Squad practices weekly, 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Wednesday nights during the fall trimester.

String Ensemble (Formerly titled: String Orchestra)

1 Credit
Course No. 721
Trimesters: 3

Prerequisite: Completion of the orchestra program at the student’s previous middle school or demonstrate an appropriate level of performance.

Rosin up your bows and get ready to fine tune your skills as you perform music with a community of string players! A variety of music literature will be studied and performed, with the emphasis on each student's individual improvement and active participation in rehearsals and performances. In addition to performances at school and in the community, students have the opportunity to audition for regional and state music festivals, and go on a major trip out of state.

Note: String Ensemble meets daily across all three trimesters. Mandatory performances include a Winter Concert, Spring Concert, and Graduation.

Orchestra (Formerly titled: Sinfonietta)

1 Credit
Course No. 725
Trimesters: 3

Prerequisite: String Ensemble. Any student who has not taken String Ensemble or students new to Daniel Hand High School must audition with the orchestra director and demonstrate an appropriate level of performance.

This advanced level of orchestra capitalizes on students’ musical skills to play new and recognizable music with their peers, while also providing leadership opportunities within the string community. A variety of music literature will be studied and performed, with the emphasis on each student's individual improvement and active participation in rehearsals and performances. In addition to performances at school and in the community, students have the opportunity to audition for regional and state music festivals, and go on a major trip out of state.

Orchestra meets daily across all three trimesters. Mandatory performances include a Winter Concert, Spring Concert, and Graduation (grade 11 only).

Chamber Ensemble (Formerly titled: Chamber Orchestra)

1 Credit
Course No. 722
Trimesters: 3

Prerequisite: Acceptance into this course is based on audition.

Have you been looking for an opportunity to perform college and professional ensemble repertoire? Look no further! Chamber is THE advanced string ensemble, performing original works by the greats like Mozart, Beethoven, Dvořák, as well as more modern music, utilizing different instrument techniques. Students will also learn chamber ensemble techniques.

Enrollment is determined by audition, which will be held during the spring of the previous year. Mandatory performances include a Holiday Concert, Winter Concert, Spring Concert, and Graduation (grades 9-11). Additional performances may include local schools, events, and field trips.

Note: Class will meet from 2:04 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Chorus

1 Credit
Course No. 712
Trimesters: 3

Are you the star of karaoke? Do you hang out and sing along with your friends? This exploratory course provides foundational skills in sight-reading, independent part-singing, group singing, and proper vocal technique to be able to amp up your singing in any setting. A variety of music literature will be studied and performed, with the emphasis on each student's individual improvement and active participation in rehearsals and performances. In addition to performances at school and in the community, students have the opportunity to audition for regional and state music festivals, and go on a major trip out of state.

Chorus meets daily across all three trimesters. Mandatory performances include a Winter and Spring Concert.

Concert Choir

1 Credit
Course No. 715
Trimesters: 3

Have you ever been awestruck by someone who can harmonize on the spot? Concert Choir focuses on advanced music technical skills that anyone can learn and apply to informal sing-alongs and formal performances. A variety of challenging and advanced music spanning many genres will be studied and performed, with the emphasis on each student's individual improvement and active participation in rehearsals and performances. In addition to performances at school and in the community, students have the opportunity to audition for regional and state music festivals, and go on a major trip out of state.
Concert Choir meets daily across all three trimesters. Mandatory performances include a Winter and Spring Concert.

Show Choir

0.7 Credit
Course No. 719
Trimesters: 2
 

Prerequisite: Acceptance into this course is based on audition.

Ever wanted to sing and dance on a national stage? This highly selective, audition-only opportunity may help prepare you for your aspirations. The Show Choir provides opportunities for students to combine singing and dancing in a large group setting at a professional level. Every year is organized around new musical productions to push the repertoire and skillsets of the students to make them more versatile musicians.
Enrollment is determined by audition, which will be held during the spring of the previous year. Show Choir will participate in mandatory performances outside of the school day at various festivals outside of Connecticut.
Note: Class will meet from 2:04 p.m. to 2:55 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Waes Haeil Madrigals

.3 Credit
Course No. 717
Trimesters: 1
 

Prerequisite: Acceptance into this course is based on audition.

“Classical music is boring” - No chorus kid ever

This highly selective vocal ensemble will rehearse and perform advanced classical literature from the 16th century to the present. The class will challenge students and expose them to a wide variety of both new and familiar music.

Enrollment is determined by audition, which will take place a month before trimester 3. There is a mandatory spring performance.

Note: Class will meet from 2:04 p.m. to 2:55 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.