It’s almost time to pick your classes for the 2025-2026 school year! Gibbons requires one credit in Fine Arts, so pick one of these 17 music class options, to be ready to graduate. 

Ninth-grade students who choose to take a Fine Arts elective in place of PE must commit to taking a second course in the same Fine Arts discipline their sophomore year to defer the PE requirement.

Band and Percussion Electives include Symphonic Band (Honors Option), Wind Ensemble Honors, Percussion Ensemble (Honors Option), and Percussion Ensemble Advanced Honors.

Symphonic Band (Honors Option)

Grade Level(s): All
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1.0

Symphonic Band is for any students who want to play a band instrument. In the class, you will practice music daily and learn music theory. Students have the opportunity to perform in on-campus concerts and other events. Symphonic Band often combines with the Wind Ensemble class to play different styles of music. 

Students have to bring their instruments unless discussed with the instructor. Percussion students are allowed to take this class if they have been doing music for two years and have an audition. Students can take this course for Honors credit if they participate in the Pep Band, Drum Line, or are taking the class for a second year.

Wind Ensemble Honors

Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Symphonic Band and educator approval
Credit: 1.0

The Wind Ensemble course is for students who are already skilled in playing music from symphonic bands. In this class, students improve their music reading, and theory through assignments. They also perform different wind band literature. Students must perform at on-campus and off-campus concerts, Cardinal Gibbons home football games, community parades, and outreach events. Home practice is important, and private lessons are suggested to help students understand the music. 

Students have to bring their instruments unless alternative arrangements are made with the instructor. Percussion students must have at least three years of experience and pass an audition to enroll. Students may take this course in consecutive years to continue improving their musical skills and participate in more advanced performances.

Percussion Ensemble (Honors Option)

Grade Level(s): All
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1.0

This course is for first-year high school students or beginners in percussion. Students will learn to lay instruments and drum sets. The class focused on basic music skills, music theory, and percussion history. Students must attend concerts and may join Drumline or Symphonic Band. 

There is also an option to take Percussion Ensemble Advanced Honors, which is a higher level of Percussion Ensemble, for students who are ready to learn college-level music.

Percussion Ensemble Advanced Honors

Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Percussion Ensemble and educator approval
Credit: 1.0

The Guitar electives are Guitar I, Guitar II (Honors Option), Guitar III Honors, and Guitar IV-V Honors. The Guitar electives must be taken in the specified order, and an audition is required to skip any class in the sequence.

Guitar I

Grade Level(s): All
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1.0

Guitar I introduces students to the basics of guitar and to begin to understand reading music. The course focuses on note reading, basic chords, rhythm, and basic music theory. Students begin to be exposed to classic and current literature. 

No experience is required, and electric bassists can be accommodated in this course.

Guitar II (Honors Option)

Grade Level(s): All
Prerequisite: Guitar I or audition
Credit: 1.0

In this course, students learn advanced guitar skills, like bar chords, fingerpicking, and common chord progressions. They also explore jazz, classical, and contemporary music. Electric bass players are welcome but also have to learn some basic guitar. 

The other guitar classes are similar to Guitar I and II but at a more advanced level.

The String Orchestra electives include String Orchestra I, String Orchestra II (Honors Option), String Orchestra III Honors, and String Orchestra IV Honors. As well as the guitar electives, the String Orchestra electives must be taken in order.

String Orchestra I

Grade Level(s): All
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1.0

The String Orchestra I course is where students learn the basics of playing violin, cello, or bass. No experience is needed, and you can use a school instrument. This class is great for students with piano experience, or those who want to improve their skills.

String Orchestra II (Honors Option)

Grade Level(s): All
Prerequisite: String Orchestra I or audition
Credit: 1.0

The String Orchestra II is for students who already know the basics of rhythm, pitch, and reading music. This class helps improve skills with rhythms, time signatures, shifting, and scales. It also covers intermediate music theory, advanced reading, and vibrato. Instruments are provided for use in class.

String Orchestra III Honors

Grade Level(s): All
Prerequisite: String Orchestra II or audition
Credit: 1.0

The String Orchestra III Honors course is for advanced students who play violin, viola, cello, bass, or piano and have skills in rhythm, pitch, music reading, and ensemble. The class focuses on improving skills like complex rhythms, shifting positions, mastering three-octave scales, chamber music, and advanced ensemble. Students should have two years of experience.

String Orchestra IV Honors

Grade Level(s): All
Prerequisite: String Orchestra III or audition
Credit: 1.0

The String Orchestra IV Honors is for advanced students who play violin, viola, cello, bass, or piano. Students will perform at a high level as part of the top string group at Cardinal Gibbons. Instruments are provided, and students can take this class for multiple years.

The Vocal Ensemble electives have many different options for your different interests and abilities. The electives are Soprano/Vocal Alto Ensemble, Tenor/Bass Vocal Ensemble, and Sacred Heart Vocal Ensemble Honors.

Soprano/Alto Vocal Ensemble

Grade Level(s): All
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1.0

*This course may be taken in multiple years and is an Honors Option in the second year.

The Soprano/Alto Vocal Ensemble helps students develop their soprano and alto voices The class focuses on vocal technique, music theory, sight-singing, and ear training. It’s open to sopranos and altos of all experience levels, including beginners. Students will perform SSA and SSAA music in different ways. The group performs on campus and works with other Cardinal Gibbons vocal ensembles. 

Tenor/Bass Vocal Ensemble

Grade Level(s): All
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1.0

*This course may be taken in multiple years and is an Honors Option in the second year.

The Tenor/Bass Vocal Ensemble is for students who want to learn about signing and improve their voice. It focuses on vocal training, music theory, sight-singing, and ear training. It also helped students develop skills for group performances. The ensemble is open to tenors and basses of all experience levels.

Sacred Heart Vocal Ensemble Honors

Grade Level(s): 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Audition
Credit: 1.0

The Sacred Heart Vocal Ensemble is named after the original name of Cardinal Gibbons High School. It is the advanced signing group at Cardinal Gibbons, open to students who have completed either of the other Vocal Ensemble courses. This course focuses on improving the group’s sound and preparing students for lifelong singing. The ensemble performs a wide range of music and is the main group for school Masses. 

Two other elective music classes are non-instrument-based. The classes are World Music Honors and AP Music Theory. No music experience is required for either class but is preferred for the AP course.

World Music Honors

Grade Level(s): 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 0.5

World Music Honors explores music from different cultures around the world and its role in society. Students will learn about various musical styles and traditions, and provide a broad understanding of global music. No previous experience is required.

AP Music Theory

Grade Level(s): 11, 12
Prerequisite: Educator approval
Credit: 1.0

AP Music Theory helps students understand how music is created, covering topics like pitch, rhythm, melody, harmony, and notation. This course also explores music history and composition, focusing on European and American traditions. 

There are so many great opportunities in fine arts music classes that allow students to further their experience and understanding of music theory. Whether students are interested in voice music, orchestra, or even percussion, Cardinal Gibbons has extensive options.

If you need a fine art credit and are leaning towards the music category, one of these classes may be for you!