Music

Students interested in a musical experience at Minnetonka High School are encouraged to audition for band, choir, or orchestra. These courses function as a curricular experience with opportunities for extra-curricular activities. All music classes are elective. Completion of two consecutive semesters of music fulfill the 1.0 Arts credit requirement.

Members of the MHS bands are eligible for a variety of co-curricular activities including marching band, pep band, jazz ensembles, and solo and ensemble participation. Members of MHS choirs are also eligible for a variety of co-curricular ensembles including Chamber Singers, Varsity Madrigal Singers, Donna Voce, quartets, etc. Members of MHS orchestras can be involved in Philharmonic Orchestra, chamber ensembles, pit orchestra and other solo and ensemble opportunities.

Course Listing

American Popular Music (Tonka Online)

Course: #T6699*, Tonka Online 
Grade(s) offered: grade 9, grade 10, grade 11, grade 12    
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisite: An interest in music

American Popular Music is a one-term course designed for students who would like to explore the history of popular music in the United States from the early 19th century to today.

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AP Music Theory

Course: #AP660
Grade(s) offered: grade 10, grade 11, grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (per semester, full-year course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit    
Prerequisites: A or B in Theory 1 or pretest/application prior to registration

Music Theory 2 is a one-term class designed for students who have some experience in music but want to further develop and increase skills in reading, writing, listening, and analyzing music. It is also designed to prepare students interested in studying music at the post-secondary level.

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Bel Canto

Course: #6636, S1
Course: #6638, S2
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (per semester, full-year course)
Completion of both courses fulfills the Arts required credit  
Prerequisites: Voice check with instructor

Students who accept a place in Bel Canto commit to a full year of participation.

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Chamber Orchestra

Course: #6632, S1
Course: #6634, S2
Grade(s) offered: Grade 10, Grade 11
Credits: 0.5 (per semester, full-year course)
Completion of both courses fulfills the Arts required credit  
Prerequisite: Audition

This course is for students in 10th and 11th grade who are looking for an accelerated music experience, in preparation for the top ensemble – Symphony Orchestra. Students who previously took String Orchestra will be prepared for this course.

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Concert Band

Course: #6604, S1
Course: #6606, S2
Grade(s) offered: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (per semester, full-year course)
Completion of both courses fulfills the Arts required credit 
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Varsity Band or consent of instructor

Students who accept a position in Concert Band commit to a full year of participation. A wide variety of music literature will be studied and performed in a major concert each term. 

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Concert Choir

Course: #6648, S1
Course: #6650, S2
Grade(s) offered: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (per semester, full-year course)
Completion of both courses fulfills the Arts required credit  
Prerequisites: Audition

Course Description:
Students who accept a position in Concert Choir commit to a full year of participation. This is a select choir and placement is by audition. The precepts of advanced musicianship will be stressed in this course.

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Concert Orchestra

Course: #6620, S1
Course: #6622, S2
Grade(s) offered: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (per semester, full-year course)
Completion of both courses fulfills the Arts required credit  
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Varsity or String Orchestra, or audition with instructor

Students who accept a position in Concert Orchestra commit to a full year of participation. Throughout the year, students will study a variety of repertoire covering several different musical styles.

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Guitar Ensemble I

Course: #6656
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisite: None

In this performance based course, students will explore music performance using the guitar as the performance medium. Units will include note reading, tablature reading, basic music theory, guitar performance techniques, solo performance and ensemble performance.

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Two people play guitar together in a classroom

Course: #6658
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Guitar Ensemble I or instructor approval

In this performance-based course, students will continue to explore traditional guitar ensemble literature, as an extension of Guitar Ensemble I. 

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IB Music SL 

Course: #IB660 S1
Course: #IB661 S2
Grade(s) offered: Grade 11, Grade 12  
Credits: 0.5 (per semester, full-year course)
Completion of both courses fulfills the Arts required credit
Prerequisite: Concurrent registration in Concert Choir, Treble Choir, Wind Ensemble, Concert Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra or Symphony Orchestra. Theory pre-test, AP Music Theory, or pre-approved piano performance background.

This course will examine the major style periods of Western music and explore the diversity of music throughout the world. Comparisons and observations will be made about art, society, and world events as they relate to the music style.

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Music Technology

Course: #6654
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit     
Prerequisites: Interest in music composition

In this project-based course, students will explore music composition using Digital Audio Workstations, looping software, MIDI and live audio recording.

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Music Technology (Tonka Online)

Course: #T6654 
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12 
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit      
Prerequisites: Interest in music composition

In this project-based course, students will explore music composition using Digital Audio Workstations, looping software, MIDI and live audio recording.

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Music Theory I

Course: #6652
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (single semester course)
This course completes .5 towards the Arts credit    
Prerequisites: Interest in music    

Music Theory 1 is a one-term class designed for students who want to develop and increase skills in reading, writing, listening and analyzing music. This class will introduce students to the elements of music such as: melody, harmony, rhythm, form expression, and the texture of sounds.

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String Orchestra

Course: #6628, S1
Course: #6630, S2
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9, Grade 10
Credits: .5 (per semester)
Completion of both courses fulfills the Arts required credit
Prerequisite: Audition

Students who accept a position in String Orchestra commit to a full year of participation. Throughout the year, students will study a variety of repertoire covering several different musical styles.

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Symphonic Band

Course: #6608, S1
Course: #6610, S2
Grade(s) offered: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (per semester, full-year course)
Completion of both courses fulfills the Arts required credit
Prerequisites: Audition

Students who accept a position in Symphonic Band commit to a full year of participation. A variety of music will be studied and performed in a concert each term.

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Symphony Orchestra

Course: #6616, S1
Course: #6618, S2
Grade(s) offered: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (per semester, full-year course)
Completion of both courses fulfills the Arts required credit  
Prerequisites:  Audition

Students who accept a position in Symphony Orchestra commit to a full year of participation. They will work on more advanced repertoire and continue to improve higher-level musical skills including, but not limited to, ear training, music theory, solo/small ensemble performances, and musical interpretation.

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Tonka Treble Choir

Course: #6644, S1
Course: #6646, S2
Grade(s) offered: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (per semester, full-year course)
Completion of both courses fulfills the Arts required credit  
Prerequisites: Audition

Students who accept a position in Tonka Treble Choir commit to a full year of participation. This group is open to women in grades 10-12 who are advanced in vocal skill and musicianship.

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Troubadours

Course: #6640, S1
Course: #6642, S2
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (per semester, full-year course)
Completion of both courses fulfills the Arts required credit  
Prerequisites: Voice check with instructor

Students who accept a position in Troubadours (grades 9–12) commit to a full year of participation.

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Varsity Band

Course: #6600, S1
Course: #6602, S2
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9
Credits: 0.5 (per semester, full-year course)
Completion of both courses fulfills the Arts required credit  
Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of 8th grade band or consent of instructor

The band curriculum is a full year curriculum. A wide variety of music literatures will be studied and performed in a major concert each term.

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Varsity Orchestra

Course: #6624, S1
Course: #6626, S2
Grade(s) offered: Grade 9
Credits: 0.5 (per semester, full-year course)
Completion of both courses fulfills the Arts required credit  
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of 8th grade orchestra or consent of instructor

Students who accept a position in Varsity Orchestra commit to a full year of participation. Throughout the year, students will study a variety of repertoire covering several different musical styles.

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Wind Ensemble

Course: #6612, S1
Course: #6614, S2
Grade(s) offered: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (per semester, full-year course)
Completion of both courses fulfills the Arts required credit  
Prerequisites: Audition

Students who accept a position in Wind Ensemble commit to a full year of participation. A variety of music will be studied and performed in a concert each term.

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marching band students