Choral Music
Wootton High School currently has two acappella groups: The Supertonics (all-male) and The Acabellas (all-female) that sometimes perform together. For more information and to book one or more of the these groups for your event please visit our vocal department website at woottonsingers.weebly.com
These groups meet as a class during the school day. They study acappella singing, in addition to group dynamic, vocal technqiue, and dance choreography.
Highlighted by the Pitch Perfect movies, a cappella competitions are held through the United States and the world. Successful groups combine showmanship, technical skill, and excellent musical arrangements. All three Wootton acappella groups compete in international acappela competitions throughout the school year.
The public can support and hear our groups at Wootton Choral Concerts, the annual Wootton Thursday Night Live Talent Show Competition, holiday carroling at the RIO Washintonian shopping center, and at many local festivals. Please fill out the booking form to book a Wootton Acappella group for your event!
These groups meet as a class during the school day. They study acappella singing, in addition to group dynamic, vocal technqiue, and dance choreography.
Highlighted by the Pitch Perfect movies, a cappella competitions are held through the United States and the world. Successful groups combine showmanship, technical skill, and excellent musical arrangements. All three Wootton acappella groups compete in international acappela competitions throughout the school year.
The public can support and hear our groups at Wootton Choral Concerts, the annual Wootton Thursday Night Live Talent Show Competition, holiday carroling at the RIO Washintonian shopping center, and at many local festivals. Please fill out the booking form to book a Wootton Acappella group for your event!
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About
The Concert Choir are the auditioned choir at Wootton High School. They perform music of high quality and level of challenge. The class is taken for honors credit. 
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Masterwork Programs
Beginning in 2004, the Chorus has undertaken a series of masterwork concerts often accompanied by the Wootton Orchestra under the direction of Carolyn Herman 2003-04 - Requiem by W.A. Mozart 2004-05- Ceremony of Carols by B. Britten & Chichester Psalms by L. Bernstein 2005-06- Magnificat by J.S. Bach 2007-08- Carmina Burana by C. Orff 2008-09 - Messiah by G.F. Handel 2009-10 - Gloria by A. Vivaldi 2012-13 - Polovitsian Dances by A. Borodin |
General Music
Course Information:
To see the A.P. college board's description of the course, click here.
To see the A.P. college board's description of the course, click here.
Instrumental Music
Patriot Winds: This class participates many performances throughout the school year and plays Grade II-IV music. This class is mostly 9th grade students . This class presents two - three concerts a year as well as participates in the MCPS Band Festival. Students are encouraged to audition for the All-State Bands and participate in Solo and Ensemble..
There is no description for this class. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Herman or Mr. Rouse on the connect page.
Honors Chamber Orchestra This is the most advanced orchestra class offered at Wootton, and is is mostly 11th -12th grade students. Students must audition to be a member of this ensemble. This class j performs some of the most advanced literature written for string orchestra. Mostly Grade 6 literature. This class will perform for the county and state festivals, as well as other performances, and since it is designed to have a certain instrumentation, that is a huge concern in determining personnel.
Wind Ensemble: This is the most advanced band class offered at Wootton, and is designed for students who want a challenge. Students must audition to be a member of this ensemble. This class will focus on learning true wind ensemble literature which entails mostly students being one to a part in class. This class will perform for the county and state festivals, and since it is designed to be one or two people to a part, instrumentation and matching of tones within the band is a priority.
The Jazz Band is a select group of students in grades 9-12. A standard 17 piece jazz band is formed out of auditioning students: 2 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones, 1 baritone saxophone, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, and a standard rhythm section of 1 guitar, 1 bass guitar, 1 piano, and 1 drum set. The class studies a variety of jazz styles. Emphasis is placed on individual part playing, music reading, and improvisation. Students transcribe solos from some of the masters, learn applied music theory, and different styles of jazz, funk, Latin, and other related music.
Selection and placement in this group are based on the student’s ability level as determined by the Music Department. If you are interested in participating in jazz band, please talk with Mrs. Eckerle. Auditions take place in the spring, and the personnel is set for the upcoming year.
The Jazz Band performs at concerts, appropriate festivals, and community events. The Jazz Band is perhaps one of the most public and popular groups in the music department, and gets many requests to perform at school events throughout the year as either a full ensemble or in small combo ensembles.
Selection and placement in this group are based on the student’s ability level as determined by the Music Department. If you are interested in participating in jazz band, please talk with Mrs. Eckerle. Auditions take place in the spring, and the personnel is set for the upcoming year.
The Jazz Band performs at concerts, appropriate festivals, and community events. The Jazz Band is perhaps one of the most public and popular groups in the music department, and gets many requests to perform at school events throughout the year as either a full ensemble or in small combo ensembles.
There is no description for this class. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Herman or Mr. Rouse on the connect page.
Symphonic Winds: This class participates many performances throughout the school year and plays Grade IV-V music. This class is mostly 10th-12th grade students with advanced 9th graders. This class presents two - three concerts a year as well as participates in the MCPS Band Festival. Students are encouraged to audition for the All-State Bands and participate in Solo and Ensemble..
Theatre
*No prerequisite. Open to all students in all grades. May take one or both semesters. Very little homework, lots of guaranteed fun!
Theatre 1A and 1B (Grades 9-12, 6926, 6927)—The purpose of Theatre 1 is to develop students’ appreciation of Theatre and to help students refine aesthetic expression, social, technical and intellectual development. Theatre 1 will allow the student to acquire or refine the basic skills of theatre. The main units that will be studied first semester include theatre games, dramatic storytelling, pantomime, the speaking voice for the stage, auditioning (interviewing skills), improvisation, and the development of characterization from text. Second semester Theatre 1 students will further explore storytelling through the history of drama, set design, costume design, advanced character development and acting for the camera.
^Satisfies 1.0 Fine Arts Credit needed for graduation if both semesters are taken
Theatre 1A and 1B (Grades 9-12, 6926, 6927)—The purpose of Theatre 1 is to develop students’ appreciation of Theatre and to help students refine aesthetic expression, social, technical and intellectual development. Theatre 1 will allow the student to acquire or refine the basic skills of theatre. The main units that will be studied first semester include theatre games, dramatic storytelling, pantomime, the speaking voice for the stage, auditioning (interviewing skills), improvisation, and the development of characterization from text. Second semester Theatre 1 students will further explore storytelling through the history of drama, set design, costume design, advanced character development and acting for the camera.
^Satisfies 1.0 Fine Arts Credit needed for graduation if both semesters are taken
*Pre-requisite Theatre 1 or permission of instructor.
Theatre 2A and 2B (Grades 10-12, 6928, 6929)--During this course of study, students will explore both realism and melodrama in acting. Students will learn long-form improvisation, stage dialects, do advanced make-up techniques, and perform traveling children’s theatre. Additionally, students will collaborate on playwriting exercises in order to develop as actors.
^Carries advanced level credit (grade is weighted). Satisfies 1.0 Fine Arts Credit needed for graduation if both semesters are taken.
Theatre 2A and 2B (Grades 10-12, 6928, 6929)--During this course of study, students will explore both realism and melodrama in acting. Students will learn long-form improvisation, stage dialects, do advanced make-up techniques, and perform traveling children’s theatre. Additionally, students will collaborate on playwriting exercises in order to develop as actors.
^Carries advanced level credit (grade is weighted). Satisfies 1.0 Fine Arts Credit needed for graduation if both semesters are taken.
Production and Performance^ (Grades 10-12, 6993/6994) Stage Design or this class required course for consideration for Stage Crew Leadership.
For students who have completed Theatre 2, successfully complete an audition (in May) or receive permission as active members of Stage Crew. This is a production class, where each quarter students will produce a show: first quarter will be a fall play, second quarter a competition One Act to take to State Festival, Third Quarter will be a student-written documentary theatre piece, and fourth quarter will be two One Act plays presented during Festival of the Arts or other projects as designed.
For students who have completed Theatre 2, successfully complete an audition (in May) or receive permission as active members of Stage Crew. This is a production class, where each quarter students will produce a show: first quarter will be a fall play, second quarter a competition One Act to take to State Festival, Third Quarter will be a student-written documentary theatre piece, and fourth quarter will be two One Act plays presented during Festival of the Arts or other projects as designed.
*No pre-requisite. Production and Performance or this class required course for consideration for Stage Crew Leadership.
Stage Design (Grades 10-12, 6913)—This course develops the student’s aesthetic and practical application of stage design. Students will experience various design elements, learn new techniques in construction, learn stage adaptations for sound, lighting and props, and apply practical designs in collaboration with Mrs. Speck's other theatre classes. Each semester will be different and customized to the needs and interests of the enrolled students. Will include field trip opportunities and guest speakers from the professional theatre community. Offered in alternating school years. Currently being offered in both semesters of the 2019-2020 school year. Will be offered again in 2021-2022.
^Repeatable for credit and is Advanced Level (grade weighted). Satisfies 1.0 Fine Arts Credit needed for graduation if two semesters are taken.
Stage Design (Grades 10-12, 6913)—This course develops the student’s aesthetic and practical application of stage design. Students will experience various design elements, learn new techniques in construction, learn stage adaptations for sound, lighting and props, and apply practical designs in collaboration with Mrs. Speck's other theatre classes. Each semester will be different and customized to the needs and interests of the enrolled students. Will include field trip opportunities and guest speakers from the professional theatre community. Offered in alternating school years. Currently being offered in both semesters of the 2019-2020 school year. Will be offered again in 2021-2022.
^Repeatable for credit and is Advanced Level (grade weighted). Satisfies 1.0 Fine Arts Credit needed for graduation if two semesters are taken.
Play Directing (Grades 11-12, 6914)—Students focus on the skills required in theatre directing. This study centers on the director as interpretative and creative artist; casting the play; coordinating design functions; blocking the play; characterization; rehearsing the play and developing ensemble effect in performance. As a major focus of the class, successful students will have the opportunity to produce a One-Act play for the community. Students will also be involved in management/budget experiences in their production. This course is offered in alternating school years (currently Fall 2019; next opportunity Fall 2021). Theatre 1 and 2 are prerequisites for enrollment in Play Directing.
Advanced Acting (Grades 11-12, 6912)—This course provides for intense study of acting skills begun in Theatre 1 and 2. The student’s individual creative resources will be tapped, strengthened, and channeled into character development. Students will study and perform pieces from varying periods and styles in order to explore the development of acting methods, including Early Greek Drama, French Drama, and 20th century classics such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. This course is offered in alternating school years (next offering Spring 2020). Theatre 1 and 2 are prerequisites for enrollment in Advanced Acting.
Advanced Acting (Grades 11-12, 6912)—This course provides for intense study of acting skills begun in Theatre 1 and 2. The student’s individual creative resources will be tapped, strengthened, and channeled into character development. Students will study and perform pieces from varying periods and styles in order to explore the development of acting methods, including Early Greek Drama, French Drama, and 20th century classics such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. This course is offered in alternating school years (next offering Spring 2020). Theatre 1 and 2 are prerequisites for enrollment in Advanced Acting.