The Manassas City Public Schools Fine Arts Program includes opportunities for students in grades K-12. The curriculum integrates the performing arts with practices of innovative thinking.  We aim to develop students’ capacity academically, artistically and socially so that they leave the school system as independent, collaborative, responsible and creative young adults with a lifelong interest and ability within the arts.  

Students are given the opportunity to obtain knowledge, skills and understanding to demonstrate mastery of musical skills and concepts as performers, composers, and consumers of the art form.  Band, chorus and orchestra classes are offered at the intermediate, middle, and high school levels. To learn more about specific performing groups at the middle and high school levels, contact the school your child will attend.

Music Course Information

Beginning Band (Beginning Level - 7th and 8th Grade)

Beginning Band is open to all 7th and 8th grade students with NO PREVIOUS BAND EXPERIENCE interested in playing FLUTE, CLARINET, TRUMPET, or TROMBONE. Daily practice and attendance at all performances is expected.

Intermediate Band

Prerequisite: Band teacher recommendation and/or at least 1 successful year of experience in band on a brass or woodwind instrument.

Intermediate Band is open to students who play FLUTE, OBOE, CLARINET, BASSOON, SAXOPHONE, TRUMPET, FRENCH HORN, TROMBONE, BARITONE, TUBA, and PERCUSSION. This course is designed to continue development of performance skills. Students are expected to practice daily, attend scheduled after school rehearsals and be at all performances.

Advanced Band

Prerequisite: Band teacher recommendation and/or at least 1 successful year of experience in band on a brass or woodwind instrument.

Advanced Band is open to students who play FLUTE, OBOE, CLARINET, BASSOON, SAXOPHONE, TRUMPET, FRENCH HORN, TROMBONE, BARITONE, TUBA, and PERCUSSION. Advanced Band is comprised of experienced, highly skilled instrumental students who have a strong work ethic and drive to perform difficult literature. Students are expected to practice daily, attend scheduled after school rehearsals, and be at all performances.

Beginning Treble Chorus

Prerequisite: NONE

Beginning Treble Chorus is open to all vocalists who are seeking to develop performance skills. Beginning Treble Chorus content will be focused on music literacy, intonation, diction, sight reading, and phrasing. Students are expected to practice daily, attend scheduled after school rehearsals and be at all performances.

Intermediate Treble Chorus

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and/or C or above grade upon completion of Beginning Treble Chorus.

Intermediate Treble Chorus is open to all vocalists who are seeking to continue the development of performance skills. Intermediate Treble Chorus content will be focused on sharpening singers’ abilities including intonation, diction, sight reading, and phrasing. Students are expected to practice daily, attend scheduled after school rehearsals and be at all performances.

Advanced Treble Chorus

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and/or C or above grade upon completion of Intermediate Treble Chorus.

Advanced Treble Chorus is comprised of experienced, highly skilled chorus students who have a strong work ethic and drive to perform difficult literature. This ensemble’s members will be required to purchase the Chorus performance shirt. Students are expected to practice daily, attend scheduled after school rehearsals, and be at all performances.

Beginning Basso Chorus

Prerequisite: NONE

Beginning Basso Chorus is open to all vocalists who are seeking to develop performance skills. Beginning Basso Chorus content will be focused on music literacy, intonation, diction, sight reading, and phrasing. Students are expected to practice daily, attend scheduled after school rehearsals and be at all performances.

Advanced Basso Chorus

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and/or C or above grade upon completion of Beginning Basso Chorus.

Advanced Basso Chorus is comprised of experienced, highly skilled chorus students who have a strong work ethic and drive to perform difficult literature. This ensemble’s members will be required to purchase the Chorus performance shirt. Students are expected to practice daily, attend scheduled after school rehearsals, and be at all performances.

Guitar 1

This elective course is designed to offer instruction on the acoustic guitar for students who have not played before. This course will include fundamentals, theory, songs, performances, and reading standard music notation. The students will learn various types of chords, accompaniment styles and playing techniques. Participation in concerts is MANDATORY and is a part of the overall marking period grade. Familiarity with reading music is helpful.

Guitar 2

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Guitar 1.

Students will continue their study of guitar fundamentals to include: playing techniques, additional chords and advancement of knowledge of music theory and music reading in preparation for the high school program. Participation in concerts is MANDATORY and is a part of the overall marking period grade.

Beginning Orchestra

Prerequisite: NONE

Beginning Orchestra is open to all 7th and 8th grade students with NO PREVIOUS Orchestra EXPERIENCE interested in playing VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO or BASS. Students will need to provide their own instrument or receive an instrument from the school. Daily practice and attendance at all performances is expected.

Intermediate Orchestra

Prerequisite: Orchestra teacher recommendation and/or at least 1 successful year of experience in orchestra on a STRING  instrument.

Intermediate Orchestra is open to students who play VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO OR BASS. This course is designed to continue development of performance skills. Students will need to provide their own instrument or receive an instrument from the school. Students are expected to practice daily, attend scheduled after school rehearsals and be at all performances.

Advanced Orchestra

Prerequisite: Orchestra teacher recommendation and/or at least 1 successful year of experience in orchestra on a STRING  instrument.

Advanced Orchestra is open to students who play VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO OR BASS. This course is designed for highly experienced players who have a strong work ethic and desire to perform more difficult repertoire. Students will need to provide their own instrument or receive an instrument from the school. Students are expected to practice daily, attend scheduled after school rehearsals and be at all performances.

This is a blended learning class open to 7th and 8th grade students who are interested in learning how music technology works. Enrollment is limited to 25 students per class. The scope of this course includes the following essential learning:

• Introduction to Music Technology

• Acoustics: The Science of Sound

• The Amazing Instruments of Music Technology

• Sound Engineering

• The Technology of Music

• Final Project Creation

THEATRE 1

Students in Theatre Arts will explore, collaborate, and identify the key components that make a great actor. Students will also explore the areas of backstage theatre, identifying the different hats it takes to put on professional productions. Students will be encouraged to broaden their curiosity and learn to express ideas collaboratively within groups.

ADVANCED THEATRE (Open only to 8th graders who PASSED Theatre 1 as a 7th grader or teacher recommendation)

This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth exploration of advanced theatre concepts, history, and practical skills. Students will build upon their foundational knowledge from Beginner's Theatre, delve into the rich history of Ancient Greek Theatre, examine significant theatrical pieces, and explore the many careers in theatre. The course will also cover improvisation, playwriting, and audition skills. The emphasis is on active participation, creativity, and developing a deeper understanding of the art of theatre. This syllabus is subject to adjustments based on the progress and needs of the class. Students are encouraged to communicate with the instructor about any questions, concerns, or suggestions throughout the course.

Visual Art 1

Identified students may qualify for a full year of Gifted and Talented Art.

Exploration, analysis and investigation of the creative process will be emphasized.  Technical skills that allow students to communicate ideas visually will be explored.  The development of inquiry skills and vocabulary will also be a focus as students are encouraged to analyze the meaning of works of art.

Visual Art 2 (Open only to 8th graders who PASSED Visual Art 1 as a 7th grader)

Identified students may qualify for a full year of Gifted and Talented Art.

Application of art media, traditional and emerging technologies and technical skills to the manipulation of the elements of art and the principles of design will be emphasized. Students will develop skills that enable them to make choices regarding media and technique in order to express their own ideas. Students will produce works of art from preliminary ideas and sketches.

Honors Art

Students placed in honors art must have submitted a portfolio for review and been accepted into this class while attending your intermediate school. This course is designed to challenge the serious art student to explore creative possibilities beyond the regular art classes. During this yearlong course, students will engage in an advanced study of art processes, aesthetic issues, art criticism, art history and culture while maintaining the self-discipline of a working artist. Students must receive a C or better to move to the next section of honors art.

Prerequisites: Portfolio Selection and/or GT identification for Art