How to Play in Band and Strings Throughout High School – Mr. Brendan Day, Music Director
Contact Mr. Day at: Brendan_Day@nvusd.org Visit our website at www.ACHSMusic.Org
Suggested Course Sequences for Wind, Percussion, Color Guard, and String Students (ed. 1/25/22)
“EF” = “Early Flight” (0 period class – 7:15 to 8:20 AM); “S1” = semester 1, or first (fall) semester; “S2” = semester 2, or second (spring) semester
Job Entry, Community College, Trade School Career Sequence
Grade Nine English 9 PE 9 Biology or Elective Math World Lang. 1 Concert Band or String Orchestra (S1, S2) EF Competition Band. (Perf. Band) (S1) EF Spring Jazz Ensemble (S2) 7th Period Winter Guard / Percussion (S2)
Grade Ten (PE deferred or waived) English 10 World History Biology/Chemistry Math World Lang. 2 Concert Band or String Orchestra (S1, S2) EF Competition Band. (Perf. Band) (S1) EF Spring Jazz Ensemble (S2) 7th Period Winter Guard / Percussion (S2)
Grade Eleven English 11 U.S. History Math Chemistry/Elective Career Path Wind Ensemble. or Chamber Orch. EF Competition Band. (Perf. Band) (S1) EF Spring Jazz Ensemble. (S2) 7th Period Winter Guard / Percussion (S2) Grade Twelve English 12 Gov’t/Economics PE (if not previously waived) Career Path Elective Wind Ensemble or Chamber Orch. EF Competition Band. (Perf. Band) (S1) EF Spring Jazz Ensemble (S2) 7th Period Winter Guard / Percussion (S2) | Four-Year College Career Sequence
Grade Nine English 9 PE 9 Biology Math World Lang. 1 Concert Band or String Orchestra (S1, S2) EF Competition Band. (Perf. Band) (S1) EF Spring Jazz Ensemble (S2) 7th Period Winter Guard / Percussion (S2)
Grade Ten (PE deferred or waived) English 10 World History Chemistry Math World Lang. 2 Concert Band or String Orchestra (S1, S2) EF Competition Band. (Perf. Band) (S1) EF Spring Jazz Ensemble (S2) 7th Period Winter Guard / Percussion (S2) Grade Eleven English 11 U.S. History Physics Math World Lang. 3 Wind Ensemble or Chamber Orch. EF Competition Band. (Perf. Band) (S1) EF Spring Jazz Ensemble (S2) 7th Period Winter Guard / Percussion (S2) Grade Twelve English 12 Gov’t/Economics Math Science/World Lang/Elective PE (if not previously waived) Wind Ensemble or Chamber Orch. EF Competition Band. (Perf. Band) (S1) EF Spring Jazz Ensemble (S2) 7th Period Winter Guard / Percussion (S2) | Highly Competitive College Career Sequence
Grade Nine English 9 PE 9 Biology Math 2 World Lang. 2 Concert Band or String Orchestra (S1, S2) EF Competition Band. (Perf. Band) (S1) EF Spring Jazz Ensemble (S2) 7th Period Winter Guard / Percussion (S2)
Grade Ten (PE deferred or waived) English 10 AP World History Chemistry Math 3 Hon. World Lang. 3 Wind Ensemble or Chamber Orch. EF Competition Band. (Perf. Band) (S1) EF Spring Jazz Ensemble (S2) 7th Period Winter Guard / Percussion (S2) Grade Eleven AP English Lang. AP U.S. History Physics AP Calc AB World Lang. 4 Wind Ensemble or Chamber Orch. EF Competition Band. (Perf. Band) (S1) EF Spring Jazz Ensemble (S2) 7th Period Winter Guard / Percussion (S2)
Grade Twelve AP English Lit. AP Gov’t/Econ. AP Math (Calc or Stats) PE (if not previously waived) AP/World Lang. 5/Science Wind Ensemble or Chamber Orch. EF Competition Band. (Perf. Band) (S1) EF Spring Jazz Ensemble (S2) 7th Period Winter Guard / Percussion (S2) |
ACHS Instrumental Music is a competition and concert-hall program. ACHS is the only HS in Napa County to field competitive teams for Band (includes Color Guard), Winter Percussion, and Winter Guard. Color Guard is a dance group that performs classic and modern dance with the Band, and independently, using traditional color guard props. Anyone can join and learn an instrument or perform in the color guard - join the teams and have fun!
You can have seven classes if you sign up for Concert Band or Wind Ensemble and a Competition Team (S1 Competition Band (includes Color Guard), S2 Winter Percussion or Guard). Early flight is subject to availability. If you are going into 10th grade, inquire about deferment eligibility for PE.
Athletes: Ask your counselor about athletic PE waiver options
Instrumental Music receives visual and performing arts credit towards graduation and towards the CSU and UC entrance requirements! Being on competitive teams helps with college admissions.