All 8th Grade Electives are year-long classes.

CONCERT CHOIR (INTERMEDIATE) (Year)
Concert Choir will build on the topics explored in Treble Choir, though a student need not have taken Treble Choir to join the class. This choir will have performance opportunities, and will take on more complex music. This course emphasizes developing music literacy skills, a confident and expressive approach to singing, and a clear, open, resonant vocal tone.

CHAMBER CHORALE (ADVANCED) (Year)
The Chamber Chorale is a group comprised mostly of 8th graders, though some 7th graders may be admitted to the class. This course is for students who have taken Treble Choir and/or Concert Choir and have exemplified a combination of skill, motivation, and musical/choral knowledge. It is possible for students with previous singing experience to be admitted to the class, including new students, through an audition. Make an appointment with Mrs. Davis (gretadavis@wvusd.k12.ca.us) if you are new to the program and wish to audition for this ensemble. This class will delve into more complex music while broadening horizons for each student in the areas of music literacy, music theory, ear training, analysis, style, expression, and solo and small group work. Singers at this level are expected to be hard working, positive, and to take responsibility for improving their skills and learning their parts outside of class.

GUITAR (Year)
Both students who have taken guitar in the past and students new to the instrument may sign up for this course. Beginning students will learn contemporary and traditional guitar techniques, will develop playing skills, will learn to read and notate music for guitar, and will perform, together and alone, a varied repertoire of music. Intermediate students will build upon skills already acquired and will explore such topics as scales, standard notation, advanced chords and strumming patterns, playing solos and improvisation. Participants may provide their own guitar for the class, or may use a guitar provided by the school.

PRINCIPLES OF ART AND DESIGN
This is a year-long class where students will learn the language of art and explore various techniques and media. Art skills will be developed through a variety of class assignments. Students will observe and discover works of Art from chosen time periods and movements.

DIGITAL VIDEO PRODUCTION and Project Lead the Way (PLTW) COMPUTER SCIENCE
In this year long course students will engage in much larger, more time consuming projects, that promote further understanding of videography and post production digital video production. In addition students will study more in depth aspects of film, art, and music as they pertain to modern cinema.

SPANISH I (High School Equivalent - Same curriculum as DBHS will be followed)
This year-long Spanish one language course focuses on developing skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing in the target language. Students will communicate with others in everyday situations and be exposed to the culture and heritage of Spanish-speaking countries.

Please Note: Students who successfully complete this course with an A or B will have the opportunity to advance to Spanish II or Spanish II Honors their Freshman year of high school at Diamond Bar High School. Students will not receive high school credits. They will have the opportunity to advance a year in their foreign language studies. If you have any questions or would like more information about our Spanish I course please e-mail Ms. Stacy Jimenez. stacyjimenez@wvusd.k12.ca.us.

CADET BAND
This year-long course is for students one year or less of experience on a wind instrument. Students will continue to develop performance, ensemble and musical skills to prepare for either intermediate or advanced band. Some students may be selected to study an advanced instrument (oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, tenor sax, baritone sax, French horn, baritone, trombone, tuba) needed for proper band instrumentation. These instruments will be provided by the director. Students will be required to perform at school concerts and one off-campus band festival performances.

CONCERT BAND (Intermediate)
This class is designed for students who have at least one year of experience on their instrument at the middle school level or permission from the band director. Students should be able to read standard music notation and play one octave scales in the concert keys of Bb, Eb, Ab, and F, and chromatic scales on their instruments. Instrumental techniques will be studied in depth and students will be continue to prepare for advanced middle school band or/high school level music programs. School performances and band festivals are a required part of this class. Students may be placed in this class upon the recommendation of Mrs. Schroerlucke.

SYMPHONIC WINDS (Intermediate Plus)
This class is designed for students who can successfully play literature at a 2.0-2.5 level. Students will study concert and popular literature with an emphasis on building individual playing skills, ensemble skills and playing more challenging literature. School performances and festivals are a required part of this class. Seventh grade students will be placed in this class by Mrs. Schroerlucke, based on their work in Cadet Band.

WIND ENSEMBLE (Advanced)
This course band is for advanced students who have successfully auditioned and been selected for this group. Some sections will have limited seating in order to achieve the necessary instrumental balance for the entire ensemble and may vary from year to year. Audition requirements will include a solo, sight-reading and scales up to four sharps and four flats. Students should have previously and successfully completed assessments in Standard of Excellence Book II, be able to perform grade 3.0 literature, be able to rehearse in a fast-paced environment, have excellent citizenship in all subjects, and follow rehearsal expectations. Students will play advanced band literature in preparation for high school band. Because of the advanced nature of this class, students studying privately that show a commitment to their musical craft will receive preference. School performances, collaborations with DBHS band, community performances, and performance at band festivals will be a required part of the course. Students may choose to take part in an overnight non-mandatory band trip. Past trips have been to San Francisco, San Diego, Washington, D.C, Chicago, and Anaheim.

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginners) (year)
This course is for students with no experience, or less than one year experience, playing an orchestral string instrument. Students do NOT need to have any prior music experience. The instruments available for study will be based on correct instrumentation for the orchestra – this will be discussed in class at the beginning of the year. PLEASE do not select an instrument without approval from Mrs. Barr. Concerts at and away from Chaparral are an important, required part of this class. Students may enter this class at any time with permission from Mrs. Barr.

SINFONIA ORCHESTRA (Experienced players) (year)
These classes are for students who have at least one year of experience playing an orchestra string instrument and can successfully read music. Any student who is not currently enrolled in an orchestra class at Chaparral MUST speak with Mrs. Barr so placement may be determined. Concerts at and away from Chaparral are an important, required part of this class. Students may enter the class at any time with permission from Mrs. Barr. Any student failing to meet minimum playing standards may be moved to the Prelude Orchestra class.

*TEACHER/OFFICE AIDE - *This class requires teacher approval for enrollment.
Students who apply for this elective will be aiding for various school staff and departments which will have a variety of responsibilities. In the front office, students deliver messages, organize papers, and complete important tasks as assigned by the office staff. Teacher aides perform a variety of jobs assigned by the classroom teacher. Students must have a 2.5 grade point average, satisfactory citizenship grades, and complete the Teacher/Office Aide online application, form by Friday, April 30th. Application form can be found in Ms. Aquino's google classroom or you can email Ms. Aquino at caquino@wvusd.org.

If you have any questions, please contact your school counselor, Ms. Aquino at caquino@wvusd.org.