Music at ACPA

Have you ever dreamed of performing on stage with your own band? Do you write songs - or want to start? Have you mastered the basics of your instrument or voice? In this course, you will form a band with a small group of classmates, and work together to write and perform original songs. With your bandmates, you will also master basic band skills, from solving creative conflicts to setting up a microphone. All instruments welcome!

Have you already taken Band Lab 1? Want to continue with your old band - or start a new one? Are you ready to tackle bigger creative challenges and take your music beyond the walls of ACPA? In this course, you will form a band with a small group of classmates, and work together to write and perform original songs. With your bandmates, you will also explore different ways of connecting with the local music scene, sharing your music, and staying musically active, both in AND outside of school. 

During the fall, 9th grade students will experience a variety of art forms over the course of the semester. Every few weeks, students will rotate to a new art taught by a new teacher, allowing them to experience a range before narrowing their focus for a spring semester course. This course is required for 9th graders.

Guitar and stringed instrument playing for intermediate and advanced level musicians. Beginners are welcome too! The class will focus on skills needed to master solo or ensemble performing.

Advanced Guitar and Stringed instrument playing. Focusing on skills needed to master solo or ensemble performing. In this course, students will develop their instrumental skills and musical literacy through the study of the guitar, bass, ukulele, banjo or mandolin. In addition to instrument technique, students will learn to read, perform, improvise, and compose music for stringed instruments as they study a variety of music by influential musicians.

A mixed ensemble, any instrument welcome (drum, guitar, piano, bass, horns, vocalists, etc...) Learning to play in an ensemble through the style of Blues. We'll develop ensemble techniques as well as solo improvisation.

A mixed ensemble is designed to ignite the joy of singing and to provide students with the principles of vocal technique. 

There will be a focus on the production of solid intonation, blending colorful harmonization, executing precise diction and rhythmic performance. This group will learn music through both sight singing from sheet music as well as aurally by listening to part tracks to build on both necessary music learning skills.      

The group goal is to provide a space where all ACPA singers can enjoy being a part of an ensemble that produces exciting choral music that focuses on storytelling and connection with ensemble members and its audiences. ACPA, Sign up for “The ONE” and let’s ALL sing!

Acapella singing in up to 5 parts with a beat boxer. Learning to read music at a high level and how to learn to harmonize by ear. Focus on advanced singing skills and techniques.

In this course, we’ll study the basics of playing percussion instruments, including bucket drumming, drum set, keyboard percussion, and hand drums. Using these instruments and more, we will develop the skills and knowledge to play, improvise, and compose percussion music from various genres and cultures. Beginners are welcome!

In this course, we’ll study the basics of playing percussion instruments, including bucket drumming, drum set, keyboard percussion, and hand drums. Using these instruments and more, we will perform, improvise, and compose percussion music from various genres and cultures. Beginners are welcome!

Want to take your percussion skills to the next level? In this course, we’ll perform challenging music and dig deeper into the world of percussion to develop our understanding of technique, theory, history, and styles of percussion music. This course is open to anyone who has already studied percussion for at least one year.

Intermediate and advanced piano playing. Learning skills and music theory to support song learning and music performance. Repeatable course for students looking to continue learning piano. 

Intermediate and advanced piano playing. Learning skills and music theory to support song learning and music performance. Repeatable course for students looking to continue learning piano. 

Are you a dedicated musician, dancer, visual artist, actor, writer, or other kind of artist? Have you ever wanted to collaborate with someone from another art form? Do you want to push your creative boundaries…and maybe get a little weird? 

In this course, senior artists from all art forms will come together to connect, collaborate, and create. Throughout the year, we will explore what it means to make a life - not just a living - in the arts.