SYMPHONY BAND
- 5135 (9-12) (Teacher permission only) is the performing instrumental ensembles offered at Austin High School. It consists of students in grades 9-12 who have passed an audition by the director and whose instrumental ability is on or above the A level. The marching band performs for all football games, homecoming parade, Christmas Parade, and special community activities. The band actively participates in District and State Band Festivals, and usually one out-of-state competition. The individual students are required to participate in All-State Band auditions and are expected to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival.
CONCERT BAND - 5136 (9-12) (Teacher permission only) is one of the performing instrumental ensembles offered at Austin High. It consists of students in grades 9-12 who have passed an audition by the director and whose instrumental ability is on or above the B level of music. The marching band performs for all football games, homecoming parade, Christmas parade, and special community activities. The band actively participates in District and State Band Festivals and usually one out-of-state competition. The individual students are encouraged to participate in All-State Band auditions and are expected to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival.
CADET BAND - 5137 (9-12) (Teacher permission only) is one of the performing instrumental ensembles offer at Austin High. It consists of students in grades 9-12 who have passed an audition by the director and whose instrumental ability is on or above the C level of music. The marching band performs for all football games, homecoming parade, Christmas parade, and special community activities. The band actively participates in District and State Band Festivals and usually one out-of-state competition. The individual students are encouraged to participate in All-State Band and are expected to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC - 5370 (9-12) (Teacher permission only) are small groups of students scheduled through the day in instrumental music classes. Instruction is on an individual basis, with individual practice required and private lessons given at least once or twice a week to each student by the band director. Music Theory is taught as a part of the class when the makeup of the class lends itself to being a productive activity for the students. Students are expected to audition and participate in All-State and Solo and Ensemble Festival.
JAZZ BAND - 5765 (9-12) (Teacher permission only) is designed for those students at a more advanced level wishing to broaden their musical experience to include rock, jazz, and Latin styles. Members of this must be members of the Symphony, Concert, or Cadet Band.
STAGE BAND - 5760 (9-12) (Teacher permission only) is designed for those students without prior experience in a jazz band wishing to broaden musical skills.
WOMEN'S CHOIR - 5461 (9-12) (Teacher permission only) is an all-girl choir open by simple match the pitch auditions. The choir is primarily for 9th grade girls and is used to develop musical skills and proper rehearsal techniques. This choir actively participates in Alabama Vocal Association competitions and at least one (optional) out-of-state choral competition each year. They are also required to perform in the annual winter and spring concerts and are encouraged to participate in auditions for All-State Chorus.
MEN'S CHOIR - 5460 (9-12) (Teacher permission only) This class is designed specifically to focus on the growth and development of the maturing young man's voice. As the voices grow, the students will develop the ability to sing alone and with others in small groups performing a variety of musical styles. The ability to read notated music is heavily stressed as a requirement for the next level of musical development. The students will learn to listen to and describe music, evaluate music and performances, and develop knowledge and practice of proper concert etiquette as both a performer and audience participant. These skills will be used as a basis for a variety of public performances.
CONCERT CHOIR - 5220 (9-12) (Teacher permission only) Is a mixed choir open by satisfactory completion of Women's or Men's Choir or by special audition. These students have demonstrated the desire, ability, and discipline to rehearse and perform extremely difficult choral music. This group represents the school at a variety of performance venues and all members are encouraged to participate in auditions for All-State Chorus. This choir participates in Alabama Vocal Association competitions, and at least one (optional) out-of-state choral competition each year.
GOSPEL CHOIR - 5126 (10-12) (Audition and Teacher Permission only) is designed specifically as a performance and teaching choir featuring, but not exclusive to, music in the spiritual and gospel genres. While inculpating the learning and refinement of music skills and rehearsal techniques, they will not perform the broad range of historical western European music included in the repertoire of the other choral ensembles. They will be frequent representatives of Austin High School at a variety of performance venues, so they will be held to an extremely high standard of personal responsibility and behavior. They will perform at appropriate Choral competitions on a regular basis.
CHAMBER CHOIR - 5125 (10-12) (Teacher permission only) an upper level mixed choir open by audition only. This choir focuses on the rehearsal and performance of extremely difficult choral music written for smaller choral ensembles, therefore must be very good sight readers and very dedicated musicians. They Perform a variety of styles from a wide range of musical periods (Baroque to Jazz). These students will continue vocal development as well as continue growth in their music reading skills. This group is designed as a showcase group to perform for many civic and community groups and events. Students in this choir are held to an extremely high level of personal responsibility for behavior because they are frequent representatives of Austin High School. This Choir participate in Alabama Vocal Association competitions, and at least one out-of-state choral competition each year. They are strongly encouraged to participate in auditions for All-State Chorus.
ADVANCED MUSIC THEORY AND PERFORMANCE (VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL) - 5221 (10-12) (Teacher permission only) This class is open only to students currently enrolled in an upper level Fine Arts Course (Drama, choir, Band) by recommendation of the teacher. These students are those who want to develop advanced music theory, sight reading and performance skills and who may want to pursue a career in their chosen area. This class will require performance of a short solo recital at the end of each semester.