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: #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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Minnetonka Public Schools adheres to academic standards developed by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).
![Guitar Ensemble I]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1673559446/minnetonka/garwioilrnz8kzwyleoz/guitarensemble.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1673559446/minnetonka/garwioilrnz8kzwyleoz/guitarensemble.png","width":400}])
![Two people play guitar together in a classroom]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1704389649/minnetonka/u1mh5qmzzcbj52vwcdaj/GuitarII.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1704389649/minnetonka/u1mh5qmzzcbj52vwcdaj/GuitarII.png","width":400}])
![Music Technology (Tonka Online)]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1673561592/minnetonka/ucqv0nx2xyigtyfuq1xo/musictech.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1673561592/minnetonka/ucqv0nx2xyigtyfuq1xo/musictech.png","width":400}])