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Music Scheduling FAQs

PHS PERFORMING ARTS FAQ

 

Where does band, orchestra, and/or choir fit into my schedule? 

Concert Band, Concert Orchestra, and Mixed Choir are all classes that you take for credit in high school. They are scheduled as an elective and you receive a grade for the class. You do not have pull-out lessons at the high school. 

 

Can I take more than one ensemble? 

Yes! If you are in more than one ensemble, there is a rotation system so that you can rehearse with 2 ensembles during the same class period so you don’t have to schedule both ensembles. 3 ensembles can be done but it can be tricky- if you want to be in all three ensembles, contact the music department teachers for more information prior to scheduling. 

 

Can I sign up for an honors-level ensemble my freshman year? 

No- your first year in the program, regardless of your grade, needs to be spent in the academic class. Once you have completed at least one year in the academic level ensemble, you are eligible to audition for the honors ensemble. 

 

Can I join an ensemble if I haven’t played an instrument or sung in the past? 

Yes! Contact the director of the ensemble you are interested in joining for enrollment, skill assessment, and potential lesson information. 

 

What ensembles are curricular and what is extra-curricular?

Scheduled curricular ensembles for 9th graders at PHS include: 

  • Concert Band 
  • Concert Orchestra 
  • Mixed Choir 

 

After completing a minimum of one year of the academic-level ensembles, students have the opportunity to audition into scheduled upper-level honors ensembles which include honors credit. 

 

Extra-Curricular Ensembles available for all students include: 

  • Pennridge Marching Rams (non-auditioned)
  • Jazz Band & Jazz Ensemble (auditioned) 
  • String Quartet (auditioned) 
  • Chamber Choir (auditioned) 
  • Theater - Fall Play & Spring Musical (auditioned)
    • Pit Orchestra for Spring Musical (auditioned)
    • Theater Lights and Sound

 

The Music Department also offers other semester-long and year-long electives that include: 

  • Music Theory 
  • AP Music Theory 
  • Music and Media 
  • Keyboard- Levels I and II 
  • Guitar Studio
  • Music Technology
  • Rock Band 1
  • Rock Band 2 (Songwriting)

Make sure you check to see if there is a prerequisite for any of these electives that you would be interested in. 

 

Is there a fee associated with any ensemble? 

No- all equipment, uniforms, music, etc. are loaned out to the students. If students damage equipment due to negligence, there may be a replacement fee.  If students choose to rent or purchase their own instrument, there will be the rental fee. Additional, optional field trips like trips to NYC, Disney World, etc. do cost money but come with fundraising opportunities. 

 

What if I want to be in an ensemble but do not have my own instrument? 

There is a finite amount of instruments available for loan to students. Talk to the directors about receiving a loaner instrument. 

 

Can you play sports and be in a music ensemble? 

Absolutely- we have many student-athletes in our classes. Sports are extra-curricular and ensembles are co-curricular so there are very few after school requirements for music ensemble classes making sports a definite possibility for our music students. Contact the music teachers for more information if you have any questions!

 

Can I be a tech student and be in an ensemble?

Generally, tech students take all of their electives at the tech school. However, in your upper-classman years, students are able to fit music electives if they have room in their schedules. 

 

Do I need to take private lessons to be involved at the high school level?  

No! While private lessons are always encouraged, there is no requirement for additional lessons outside of school. If you would like one-on-one check-ins or additional help, you are always welcome to schedule a time with your director who will assist. 

 

Does the high school ensemble go on any trips? 

Yes! The entire department travels to Disney World every 4 years. Annually, the choir and orchestra also travel to NYC for concerts and/or shows. The jazz band annually travels to Philadelphia for a Jazz festival. There are also various opportunities that come up on a non-regular basis. All trips, however, have been suspended due to COVID-19. We look forward to resuming these trips as soon as possible. 

 

How much time is required outside of the school day to participate in curricular music courses at the high school level?

Students do have homework and are expected to practice their music on a regular basis. Students are also required to attend dress rehearsals and concerts, which occur after school hours, for their curricular classes 2-3 times a year. All extracurricular ensembles practice exclusively after school. 

 

What if I want to be in an ensemble but it doesn’t fit into my schedule? 

Contact the director of the ensemble and we can work together with you and your counselor to do our best to get the ensemble into your schedule!

 

Can I take a year of playing off and rejoin an ensemble later?

While it is not recommended, this is absolutely possible. Keep in mind that you have to be in an academic level ensemble for at least one year at the high school regardless of grade. If you want to be in honors ensembles when you are an upperclassman, you are going to want to take the academic-level ensemble as soon as possible!

 

Where does theater fit into the department’s offerings?

Theater is offered as an extracurricular activity and includes a Fall Show and Spring Musical. Students can audition for acting roles, be a part of the light and sound crew, stage crew, or audition for the pit-orchestra (spring musical only). The English department does offer curricular theater classes if you are interested in a curricular theater class! Contact the theater director, Miss Schimitsch, for more information.