The Delavan-Darien High School music department offers a rich selection of courses for those new to performing to advanced and accelerated options.

We know that high school musicians have greater success after high school seeking a job, obtaining scholarships, admissions to and continuing in college and making positive social connections. We’re glad so many students start at and continue their musical studies through the high school level. The high school is also home to a highly regarded auditorium that was renovated in 2007. 

Jump to Courses: Choral  |  Instrumental Music  |  Music Theory

Orchestra Program Description

• Director Jennifer Bayerl

The DDHS Orchestra consists of string players from ninth through 12th grade. Students audition for seating placement. The more advanced students participate in String Choir, learn advanced chamber music and perform in the community. The Orchestra has four concerts each year, participates in festivals at UW-Whitewater, works with guest clinicians, attends various field trips and participates in Wisconsin State Music Association’s Solo and Ensemble Festival. 

The Delavan-Darien School District is one of a select number of schools in our area that offers a string program. The program is strong and well supported by the community. Our students benefit by having performance options beyond high school, such University of Wisconsin System orchestras, honors orchestras and a number of community orchestras around the state.

Band Program Description
• Director Jim Gornick

The DDHS Band Program is a comprehensive program that takes a balanced approach to many band activities. Two bands and two jazz ensembles are offered; the advanced groups are “audition only.” In addition to concerts throughout each year, band students are involved in marching band for local parades and Homecoming, pep band for select football and basketball games, the WSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival, and various field trips. The Jazz Program is known statewide for its quality and enthusiasm, and presents two major concerts, various other performances, and the annual Jazz in the Park at Delavan’s Phoenix Park Bandshell each June. We also offer a unique "African Drumming" course that is gives students an alternative musical experience.

Vocal Music Program Description
• Director James Larson

The DDHS Vocal Music program is available to any student interested in singing. The courses offered include:

• A Capella Choir – open to all students
• Treble Choir – girls only, audition required
• Chamber Choir – audition required, students in grades 10-12 only
• Lydian Choir – audition required, students in grades 10-12 only

The vocal choirs sing at school concerts throughout the year, as well as at community events. Choir members also participate in caroling during the holiday season at the Phoenix Park Bandshell in Delavan. Many choir members also participate in musicals held by the DDHS Theater Department, either as on-stage performers or in a choir designated for the performance.

Courses

Choral

A Cappella Choir                                                                        
A Cappella Choir is a beginning level choir that focuses on basic vocal production and music reading skills. This choir helps to build character, self-confidence and problem solving skills. This course changes every semester,
but tries to include sacred and secular music from various periods and styles. This class may be taken semester one, semester two, or both semesters.

Treble Choir                                                                                              
This choral ensemble is an intermediate women’s chorus that focuses on basic vocal production and music reading skills. It also helps build character, self-confidence and problem solving skills. This course changes every semester, but tries to include sacred and secular music from various periods and styles. This class may be taken semester one, semester two, or both semesters.

Chamber Choir                                                                            
Chamber Choir is a high level mixed chorus of dedicated singers who have had previous music experience. Chamber Choir focuses on vocal production and music reading skills and also helps build character, self-confidence and problem solving skills. This choir may tour. This course changes every semester, but works to include sacred and secular music from various periods and styles. This class can be taken semester one, semester two, or both semesters, but both semesters is preferred.

Lydian Choir (regular or accelerated)
Lydian Choir is a mixed chorus of the most dedicated singers who have had previous music experience. This choir tours with the Chamber Choir every four years. This class will focus on Madrigals and Vocal Jazz. This choir will require additional out of class work and in-class leadership. This choir performs both secular and sacred music. This class must be taken both semesters.

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Insturmental Music

African Drumming
This course is a performance class which is “hands on” in nature, but students will also complete written work, listening exercises, and reading as part of the course. African Drumming is open to all students regardless of musical background or previous experience with percussion instruments. Students in our other ensembles (Band, Orchestra, or one of the Choirs) may participate , but students who have never taken part in a musical ensemble can join as well. Students will learn about the music of Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, and other parts of the world through the medium of drum circles, and “found percussion” ensembles. Students will learn how to play drums and other percussion and melody instruments in the “oral tradition,” while also having music reading and writing skills taught and reinforced. Composition and the creative process will also be taught.

Concert Band
The Concert Band is comprised mostly of freshmen, sophomore, and some junior band members.  Members study and perform intermediate band literature, and this group is an integral part of the school environment and local community.  Students are involved in a comprehensive, balanced band program that includes marching, concert, solo-ensemble, and pep band performances. In addition to scheduled class time, each student attends band lessons on a regular basis as part of their grade. Students attend these from their study hall, before/after school, or on a limited rotating basis out of other classes; these are scheduled jointly with the student and director.  In addition to the performance aspect of the class, students will complete written work, listening exercises, and reading for the course. By the nature of this class, students are expected to attend and perform at selected concerts and events outside of the school day; a master calendar of these required events is provided at the beginning of the school year for student planning purposes.  As part of this class, students are expected to attend the nine-day band camp during the summer each (usually in July ) and two to three post-camp refresher rehearsals in August.  Major highlights of the year include: marching band field show at home football games and other festivals, Cornfest and Memorial Day parades, Fall Pops Concert, Mid-Winter Band and Orchestra Concert, Spring Awards Night and Concert, Marquette University Band Festival, and Solo-Ensemble Festival. The band also takes extended tours on a regular basis to national venues for performing. This class can be taken semester one, semester two, or both semesters, however it is highly recommended that the clas be taken both semesters due to performance commitments throughout the year.

Symphonic Winds (regular or accelerated)
Entrance into this ensemble is by audition only and is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. Members study and perform advanced band literature and this group is an integral part of the school environment and local community. Students are involved in a comprehensive, balanced band program that includes marching, concert, solo-ensemble, and pep band performances. In addition to scheduled class time, each student attends band lessons on a regular basis as part of their grade. Students attend these from study, before/after school, during lunch, or on a limited rotating basis out of other classes; these are scheduled jointly with the student and director. In addition to the performance aspect of the class, students are expected to attend and perform at selected concerts and events outside of the school day; a master calendar of these required events is provided at the beginning of the school year for student planning purposes. As part of this class, students are expected to attend the nine-day band camp during the summer (usually in July), and two to three post-camp refresher rehearsals in August. Band Varsity letters may be earned by accumulating points for performance activities outside of the school day. Major highlights of the year include: marching band field show at home football games and other festivals, Cornfest and Memorial Day parades, Fall Pops Concert, Mid-Winter Band and Orchestra Concert, Spring Awards Night and Concert, Marquette University Band Festival, and Solo-Ensemble Festival. The band also takes extended tours on a regular basis to national venues for performing. This course is a year long class that must be taken during semester one and semester two.

Jazz Lab
The purpose of Jazz Lab is to develop and encourage students to participate in the Jazz Ensemble. This is a performance, “hands on” class.  This group is for students who are interested in exploring the world of jazz regardless of ability or instrument. Students will study and learn about jazz, jazz history, jazz musicians, style, and vocabulary. Students will learn how to improvise and play jazz in a safe learning environment.  In addition to the performance aspect of the class, students will complete written work, listening exercises, and reading for the course. Jazz Lab will perform a minimum of three concerts during the school year.  In addition, the ensemble performs at WSMA Solo-Ensemble Contest in the spring.  Travel to jazz ensemble festivals and competition is possible. Attendance at these concerts/festivals is required. This class may be taken during semester one, semester two, or both semesters, however it is highly recommended that the class be taken for both semesters due to performance commitments throughout the year. Students enrolled in this course must also be a member of one of the DDHS Bands, Orchestras, or Choirs. Students who play a band instrument should be enrolled in one of the DDHS bands to meet this requirement.

Jazz Ensemble (regular or accelerated)
Entrance into this ensemble is by audition only, and is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors.  Members study and perform advanced jazz ensemble literature, and this group is an integral part of the school environment and local community. This is primarily a performance, “hands on” class. Students will study and learn about jazz, jazz history, musicians, style, and vocabulary.  The ability to improvise, and a desire to learn how to improvise, is essential to participation in this course. Students will learn how to improvise and play jazz in a safe learning environment. In addition to the performance aspect of the class, students will complete written work, listening exercises, and reading for the course. Jazz Ensemble will perform numerous concerts during the school year. In addition, the ensemble performs at the WSMA District Solo-Ensemble Contest in the spring and travels to at least one competitive jazz festival per school year. Attendance at these concerts/festivals is required. Additional opportunities to perform in the community may occur as well. Students enrolled in this course must also be an enrolled member of the DDHS Bands, Orchestras, or Choirs. Students who play a band instrument should be enrolled in one of the DDHS bands to meet this requirement. This course is a year long class that must be taken during semesters one and two.

Orchestra (regular or accelerated)
Orchestra introduces students to string ensemble and orchestral literature of different composers, periods and styles. Music from the Renaissance to the present will be studied. Students are required to attend individual or small group lessons unless they receive professional private lessons. Attendance at scheduled concerts is required. Students will also prepare solo and ensembles for performance in the Spring.

Instrumental Music History
Students will study the historical development of the Orchestra through music literature, theory, and performance. Material covered will include orchestral and small ensemble literature from the medieval period to the contemporary.  Students will complete written work, listening exercise, reading, use their instruments and MIDI stations in their studies.

String Ensemble
String Ensemble is a performance ensemble for students:

• Wishing to begin study on violin, viola, cello, or double bass. Students may have no experience with instrumental music or already play in Orchestra or Band, but want to study a secondary instrument;
• Who currently play guitar or piano and want to be part of an ensemble, but are not ready for Orchestra or Jazz Band and need to improve note reading and ensemble skills;
• Currently play violin, viola, cello or bass and want to continue but are not ready for more challenging high school music or cannot fit the commitments of Orchestra (auditions, competitions, many concerts, etc) into their busy schedules.

Students will:

• Become better note readers;
• Practice many drills and exercises to improve facility;
• Work as a group and individually;
• Have a performance requirement each quarter.

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Strings

Orchestra (regular and accelerated)
Orchestra introduces students to string ensemble and orchestral literature of different composers, periods and styles. Music from the Renaissance to the present will be studied. Students are required to attend individual or small group lessons once per cycle unless they receive professional private lessons or are in Orchestra Sectional course. Attendance at scheduled concerts is required. Students will also prepare solo and ensembles for performance in the spring.

Music Concepts in Orchestra
Students will study the historical development of the Orchestra through music literature, theory, and performance. Material covered will include orchestral and small ensemble literature from the medieval period to the contemporary. Students will complete written work, listening exercise, reading, use their instruments and MIDI stations in their studies.

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Music Theory

Advanced Placement Music Theory
The purpose of AP Music Theory is to give serious music students a sound foundation in music fundamentals. This course is intended for preparation for the Advanced Placement test in Music Theory. Students receive training in melodic and harmonic dictation, harmonization, basic piano skills, music history and transposition. Students will experience working with midi- technology using computers. Students are expected to take the AP exam in May.

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