The Johnson High School Music Department offers a wide range of music courses for students! Students are able to take music courses throughout high school, and we provide multiple levels of instruction for each content area. Each ensemble performs three major concerts per school year as well as supplemental performances such as the graduation commencement ceremony. Student placement in ensembles is determined upon registration. Here are our course offerings:

BAND:  We offer beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of band. An honors option is also available for students who wish to increase their level of engagement in the program. Extra opportunities for performance are available throughout the school year, including the Ordway Honors Concert in the spring.

CHOIR:  We offer beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of choir. Treble Choir (beginning level soprano/alto choir), Bass Choir (beginning level tenor/baritone/bass choir), Concert Choir (mixed voice intermediate level choir), and Govie Singers (mixed voice advanced/honors choir). Govie Singers is the only auditioned ensemble. Choir students participate in several extra performances throughout the year including, but not limited to:  The Urban Choral Festival, caroling, Singing Valentines, MSHSL Large Group Contest, Solo and Ensemble, Vocal Essence WITNESS Project, Ordway Honors Concert, Senior Honors Night, and community outreach.

ORCHESTRA:  We offer beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of orchestra. An honors option is also available for students who wish to increase their level of engagement in the program. Extra opportunities for performance are available throughout the school year, including the Ordway Honors Concert in the spring.

PIANO:  We offer beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of piano. Students are given instruction in the core elements, techniques, and rehearsal procedures of playing the piano. While learning piano playing skills, they will learn to read standard musical notation. Students will learn to play five finger patterns and chords in several major keys. Students will also gain basic music theory knowledge, develop their aural training skills, and learn the core fundamental concepts of playing an instrument. Through participation in daily classroom instruction, performance assessments, and recitals, students will begin to develop a lifelong skill in playing the piano. There are no prerequisites for the beginning level of this course.

GUITAR:  Students are given instruction in the core elements, techniques, and rehearsal procedures of playing the guitar. While learning guitar playing skills, they will learn to read standard musical notation. In addition, students will learn basic guitar chords, blues progressions, and tablature. Students will also gain basic music theory knowledge, develop their aural training skills, and learn the core fundamental concepts of playing an instrument. Through participation in daily classroom instruction, performance assessments, and recitals, students will begin to develop a lifelong skill in playing the guitar. There are no prerequisites for the beginning level of this course.