We find great satisfaction in listening to our students discover the joy of music through learning and rehearsing and performing live. Coursework focuses on personal development, proper technique and ensemble training. Students explore cultural and historical context within selected concert repertoire ranging from traditional classical, movie, video game, world, and popular music styles. Students develop the fundamentals of technique, music theory, performance, technology, composition, arranging, and critical listening.
Some other musical high notes of the program: Students enjoy regional, statewide and national experiences beyond the classroom. ASA’s extensive partnership network gives us special access to master classes, lectures, and presentations from local, national, and international guest artists. Students explore creative design through notation, audio, and beat making software. In addition to becoming great performers, ASA students learn about varying musical styles, genres, and philosophies to influence and inform their own creative projects.
5TH - 12TH GRADE
Students alternate between instrument sectional classes and band rehearsals. Assessments include periodic practice checks, comprehensive playing exams, group and individual creative projects, and public performance. Students submit at least one concert reaction each semester with online and in-class concert opportunities
Instruments: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, and Percussion
The students learn how to hold, take care of, and play the instruments, follow a conductor, maintain a steady practice routine, and play in a large group with mixed instruments. Students will learn to play scales and musical examples up to 4 flats and 4 sharps, rhythms from whole notes to sixteenth notes, and simple and compound meters. Students in Foundations 1 and 2 routinely collaborate.
Prerequisites: none
Grades: 5th/6th
Each student will learn to play all major scales, expand their knowledge of compound meters and rhythms, and begin executing more challenging ensemble pieces. Students in Foundations 3 and 4 routinely collaborate.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 7th/8th
The students learn how to hold, take care of, and play the instruments, follow a conductor, maintain a steady practice routine, and play in a large group with mixed instruments. Students will learn to play scales and musical examples up to 4 flats and 4 sharps, rhythms from whole notes to sixteenth notes, and simple and compound meters. Students in Foundations 1 and 2 routinely collaborate.
Prerequisites: none
Grades: 7th/8th
Each student will learn to play all major scales, expand their knowledge of compound meters and rhythms, and begin executing more challenging large and small ensemble pieces. Students in Foundations 3 and 4 routinely collaborate. Students in Foundations 4 also have the opportunity to work side-by-side with students in the high school program.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 7th/8th
Students will develop basic musicianship skills through the practice and performance of concert works & exercises in a large ensemble setting with an emphasis on acquiring the fundamentals of posture, instrument technique and knowledge, note-reading skills, listening skills, and positive individual and group work ethic techniques.
Prerequisites: none
Grades: 9th-12th
Emphasis is placed on reinforcing the fundamentals of posture, instrument technique and knowledge, note-reading skills, listening skills, and positive individual and group work ethic techniques.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 9th-12th
The curriculum of this course involves more complex works of music and technically challenging repertoire. In these classes, students will go from simply working their instruments correctly to approaching them like young artists.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 9th-12th
In this class, we explore deeper listening, precision of execution, phrasing, balance, blend, and interpretive style. Chamber Winds focuses on performing advanced high school and college level works of significant length and artistic depth.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 9th-12th
This course is designed for student mentors to share their knowledge and skill, as well as learning to direct small and large ensembles. Teaching Assistants will work with teachers to provide the optimal learning environment for the students. In addition to their daily tasks, they cultivate leadership skills and promote a positive culture and community within string classes. Teaching assistants receive feedback through rehearsal process, complete lesson plans and self-reflections, and conduct student ensemble performances throughout the school year.
Prerequisites: Participation in Chamber Winds, application, and letters of recommendation
Grades: 12th
This is a chamber jazz ensemble, a big band with the opportunity for unconventional instrumentation. In addition to traditional Jazz instruments, this course allows ‘non-traditional’ strings, orchestral woodwinds, and brass to participate. The curriculum focuses on skill building in the broader field of Jazz performance. Students will study jazz style, theory, improvisation, and listening skills.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 7th-12th
An advanced level performing ensemble focusing on mastery of traditional, non-traditional, and world percussion techniques through the study of contemporary percussion ensemble literature.
Prerequisites: Symphonic or Chamber Winds with Instructor approval.
Grades: 9th-12th grades.
5TH-12TH GRADE
This choir class offers the building blocks for proper vocal technique, music reading skills, basic music theory, and building skills needed to work within an ensemble. Students will be assessed individually and corporately through class participation, tests and quizzes, performances, and one-on-one evaluation.
Prerequisites: None
Grades: 5th-8th
A continuation of Dolce Choir with a further application of proper singing techniques. Students learn vowel production, consonant production, 2 and 3 part singing, and further application of music markings. These objectives are used to apply to the various genres of music performed.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 5th-8th
This choir includes not only treble voices, but changed and changing voices as well as students begin working on soprano, alto, tenor, and bass repertoire. Students in Voces have usually had at least some experience in a choral classroom before. In addition to musical building blocks taught in the previous choirs, there will be quite a bit of emphasis on the historical context of the music sung, as well as increased music theory and sight reading practice. Students with changing voices will be placed in this group as well as others ready for the challenge of a mixed chorus setting.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 5th-8th
The development of musicianship, overall confidence, breath support combined with basic components of healthy singing, are priority benchmarks of this course. This performance ensemble is a treble ensemble made up of students who have been recommended for this course. A high expectation of rehearsal etiquette, sight reading, and aural skills are required to participate in Cantus.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 5th-8th
This performance ensemble takes vocal technique a step further as students learn 3 and 4-part music in a mixed (SAB and SATB) or treble (SA and SSA) voice setting. This is a large ensemble which, as the year progresses, may meld into three smaller ensembles, depending upon interest and ability. Emphasis on listening, healthy vocal technique, sight-reading, and theory will be emphasized along with good rehearsal etiquette. Music in a variety of genres will be introduced.
Prerequisites: None
Grades: 9th-12th
Prerequisites are a vocal technique, which demonstrates breath control and good intonation, sight-reading ability and concentration in rehearsal. Goals at this level are increased vocal technique including the ability to control longer phrases, improved intonation, sight-reading complex melodies, and understanding of music theory as it applies to the pieces sung.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 9th-12th
Prerequisites are a vocal technique, which demonstrates breath control and good intonation, sight-reading ability and concentration in rehearsal. Goals at this level are increased vocal technique including the ability to control longer phrases, improved intonation, sight-reading complex melodies, and understanding of music theory as it applies to the pieces sung. . The repertoire is expanded to include works by major composers.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 9th-12th
Singers are assigned only by audition and the recommendation of both artistic and academic staff. Prerequisites include a vocal technique which is able to adjust to different styles of singing, strong sight reading skills, accurate intonation, and vocal flexibility. A high degree of musicianship is expected in this choir. Repertoire consists of a wide variety of choral literature from the last five centuries. Members are expected to participate in outside performances and represent the school in a professional manner.
Select students will serve as student facilitators in the classroom assisting in project based learning, assisting peers in skill development and acquisition, and providing support as needed to the teacher. Students will work in small groups or lead specific ensembles. Students will also have specific written work to complete as part of the course that will include practice lesson planning, self-reflection, and research based content that pertains to the coursework of the class. Prerequisites: Participation in Chamber Singers, application, and letters of recommendation
Grades: 11th/12th
5TH-12TH GRADE
Guitar Foundations 1 offers Middle School students the opportunity to study beginning classical guitar (fingerstyle) technique, 1st position note reading skills, in addition to introductory solo and ensemble skills. Students are required to have a nylon-string, classical guitar for classroom and home use.
Prerequisites: none
Grades: 5th-8th
Guitar Foundations 2 offers Middle School students a continuation of their classical guitar development by performing in-depth study of important didactic works of the early 19th century, performing 1st position, 1 to 2 octave, Major and Melodic Minor scales with cadences in all keys, slurs (hammer-ons and pull-offs), in addition to continued solo and ensemble development.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 5th-8th
Guitar Foundations 3 offers Middle School students a continuation of their classical guitar development by performing in-depth study of important didactic works of the late 19th century and early 20th century by Francisco Tarrega and Emilio Pujol, multi-positional 2-3 octave Major and Melodic Minor scales with cadences in all keys, harmonics, complex slurs, in addition to continued solo and ensemble development.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 5th-8th
Guitar Foundations 4 offers Middle School students a continuation of their classical guitar development by performing an, annually alternating, in-depth study of important didactic works from the 16th-18th centuries and the late 20th century to the present day. Students will spend one year in Guitar Foundations 4 studying arrangements and transcriptions of vihuela de mano and baroque guitar music. Students will then spend a second year in Guitar Foundations 4 studying modern guitar works by Leo Brouwer and Reginald Smith Brindle. During both years of study students will also continue their technical development with 2-3 octave multi-positional Major and Melodic Minor Scales, ornamentation, and technical studies by Abel Carlevaro. Additionally, students will continue ensemble development.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 5th-8th
Introduction to guitar offers High School students the opportunity to study beginning classical guitar (fingerstyle) technique, 1st position note reading skills, in addition to introductory solo and ensemble skills. Students are required to have a nylon-string, classical guitar for classroom and home use.
Prerequisites: none
Grades: 9th-12th
Classic Guitar offers High School students a continuation of their classical guitar development by performing in-depth study of important didactic works of the early 19th century, performing 1st position, 1 to 2 octave, Major and Melodic Minor scales with cadences in all keys, slurs (hammer-ons and pull-offs), in addition to continued solo and ensemble development.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 9th-12th
Romantic Guitar offers High School students a continuation of their classical guitar development by performing in-depth study of important didactic works of the late 19th century and early 20th century by Francisco Tarrega and Emilio Pujol, multi-positional 2-3 octave Major and Melodic Minor scales with cadences in all keys, harmonics, complex slurs, in addition to continued solo and ensemble development.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 9th-12th
Modern Guitar offers High School students a two year program that continues their classical guitar development by performing analternating in-depth study of important didactic works from the 16th-18th centuries and the late 20th century to the present day. Students will spend one year in Guitar Foundations 4 studying arrangements and transcriptions of vihuela de mano and baroque guitar music. Students will then spend a second year in Guitar Foundations 4 studying modern guitar works by Leo Brouwer and Reginald Smith Brindle. During both years of study students will also continue their technical development with 2-3 octave multi-positional Major and Melodic Minor Scales, ornamentation, and technical studies by Abel Carlevaro. Additionally, students will continue ensemble development.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 9th-12th
World Guitar is the highest-level class that the Guitar Department offers. High School students in this class have studied classical guitar music from all of the major periods and are prepared to continue their development by dedicating each year to the study of either a specific composer, a specific period of time, or a guitar style from a specific region or country of the world. Additionally, students will continue ensemble development.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 9th-12th
This is a chamber jazz ensemble, a big band with the opportunity for unconventional instrumentation. In addition to traditional Jazz instruments, this course allows ‘non-traditional’ strings, orchestral woodwinds, and brass to participate. The curriculum focuses on skill building in the broader field of Jazz performance. Students will study jazz style, theory, improvisation, and listening skills.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 7th-12th
Students will work to acquire basic and intermediate levels of playing on the electric guitar through a variety of styles such as early blues, early rock, country-blues, classic rock, modern rock, and jazz. Proper technique, positioning, and performance practice will be emphasized. Students in this class will learn about the history and explore stylistic musical examples and repertoire for the guitar ranging from the 20th to the 21st century. There will be a strong emphasis on music theory, which will apply to what students are playing. Students will learn picking and comping techniques unique to electric guitar styles. Students will also participate in an electric guitar ensemble, collaborate with other guitar classes, perform in large ensembles, and smaller ensembles such as duets, trios, and quartet settings, along with collaboration with other departments.
Prerequisites: None; additional fee required (Pay-to-Play)
Grades: 9th-12th
5TH-12TH GRADE
Keys to Piano is a group instruction course designed for students with little or no experience. Students will learn piano posture and basic foundational skills in playing. Students will gain an understanding of music notation, theory, and technique. Students will work individually and in small groups to learn, create, and perform for one another.
Prerequisites: none
Grades: 5th-8th
Keys to Collaboration is a group instruction course designed for students with one or more years of experience. This course is a continuation of the skills acquired in Keys to Piano. In addition to basic foundational skills, students will expand their use of the keyboard, develop coordination between the hands, begin to harmonize using a lead sheet and develop ensemble playing skills.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 5th-8th
Keys to Creation is a middle school group instruction course designed for students with two or more years of experience. This course is a continuation of the skills acquired in Keys to Collaboration. Students will develop independence as they listen to, analyze, and create their own music. Students will expand their understanding of harmony and use it in a variety of musical styles.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 5th-8th
Keys to Interpretation is a group instruction course designed for students with two or more years of experience. This course is a continuation of the skills acquired in Keys to Creation. Students will broaden the technical, theoretical, and musical skills learned previously.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 5th-8th
Keyboard Basics is a group instruction course designed for students with little or no experience. Students will learn piano posture and basic foundational skills in playing. Students will gain an understanding of music notation, theory, and technique. Students will work individually and in small groups to learn, create, and perform for one another.
Prerequisites: none
Grades: 9th-12th
Keyboard Connections is a group instruction course designed for high school students with one or more years of experience. This course is a continuation of the skills acquired in Keyboard Basics. Students will expand their use of the keyboard, develop coordination between the hands, begin to harmonize using a lead sheet and play in ensembles. Focus includes both solo and ensemble playing.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 9th-12th
Keyboard Harmony is a high school group instruction course designed for students with two or more years of experience. This course is a continuation of the skills acquired in Keys to Creation, Keys to Interpretation, and Keyboard Connections. Students will develop music literacy as they listen to, discuss, and analyze musical examples. Students will gain an understanding of chord function, identify chords in musical examples, play from lead sheets, improvise in various styles, and create their own music compositions.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 9th-12th
Keyboard Mastery is a group instruction course designed for students with three or more years of experience. This course is a continuation of the skills acquired in Keyboard Harmony. Students will learn more advanced technical, theoretical, and musical skills. Focus includes advanced repertoire and harmonization.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 9th-12th
This is a chamber jazz ensemble, a big band with the opportunity for unconventional instrumentation. In addition to traditional Jazz instruments, this course allows ‘non-traditional’ strings, orchestral woodwinds, and brass to participate. The curriculum focuses on skill building in the broader field of Jazz performance. Students will study jazz style, theory, improvisation, and listening skills.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 7th-12th
5TH - 12TH GRADE
Students alternate between instrument sectional classes and orchestra rehearsals. Assessments include periodic practice checks, comprehensive playing exams, group and individual creative projects, and public performance. Students submit at least one concert reaction each semester with online and in-class concert opportunities.
Instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass
Students will develop basic musicianship skills through the practice and performance of concert works. Focus is given to basic musicianship, posture, position, note-reading, and aural skills.
Prerequisites: none
Grades: 5th-8th
Solo and Ensemble playing are emphasized, allowing students to use their expanding knowledge of scales, shifting, vibrato, and bowing techniques.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 5th-8th
This class focuses on shifting skills, 2-3 octave scales and arpeggios, advancing bowing techniques, and musical expression.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 5th-8th
This is an upper-level performing ensemble with emphasis on shifting, 3 octave scales and arpeggios, vibrato, advanced bowing techniques and musical expression. Students in Foundations 4 also have the opportunity to work side-by-side with students in the high school program.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 5th-8th
Designed for incoming students with no prior experience and students developing basic musicianship skills or for students interested in learning a second instrument.
Prerequisites: none
Grades: 9th-12th
This class focuses on shifting skills, 2-3 octave scales and arpeggios, advancing bowing techniques, and musical expression.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 9th-12th
This is an upper-level performing ensemble with emphasis on shifting, 3 octave scales and arpeggios, vibrato, advanced bowing techniques and musical expression. This class has the opportunity to collaborate with the winds, brass, and percussion students to perform full orchestra repertoire.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 9th-12th
This advanced string ensemble performs music from the standard concert string orchestra, full symphony, and chamber music literature with opportunity for student-led projects.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 9th-12th
This course is designed for student mentors to share their knowledge and skill, as well as learning to direct small and large string ensembles. Teaching Assistants will work with teachers to provide the optimal learning environment for the students. In addition to their daily tasks, they cultivate leadership skills and promote a positive culture and community within string classes. Teaching assistants receive feedback through rehearsal process, complete lesson plans and self-reflections, and conduct student ensemble performances throughout the school year.
Prerequisites: Participation in Symphony or Chamber Orchestras, application, and letters of recommendation
Grades: 11th-12th
This is a chamber jazz ensemble, a big band with the opportunity for unconventional instrumentation. In addition to traditional Jazz instruments, this course allows ‘non-traditional’ strings, orchestral woodwinds, and brass to participate. The curriculum focuses on skill building in the broader field of Jazz performance. Students will study jazz style, theory, improvisation, and listening skills.
Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students
Grades: 7th-12th
12TH GRADE
This program of performing arts preparatory study is designed and designated for students who are planning on professionally pursuing the performing arts, and who will be majoring in their specific area of artistic concentration in institutions of higher education. This course is designed to support students in the rigid and detailed college application and preparation process for performing artists. Students interested in the areas of arts performance, education, and therapy work with a mentor to work on the requirements to complete regular college applications alongside specific arts school applications, audition preparation and practice, and robust and challenging career-specific interviews.
Prerequisites: Application and Interview
Grades: 12th
12TH GRADE
ASA Seniors have the opportunity to apply and earn this recognition from the Arizona Department of Education for inclusion on their ASA diploma. The Arizona Arts Proficiency Seal is awarded to graduating high school students who complete the Seal of Arts Proficiency Pathway through ASA. The pathway is designed to celebrate students who complete a rigorous, standards-based, and high-quality arts education course of study throughout their high school education. All students select an arts teacher as their mentor to meet the requirements and complete an arts capstone project. Seniors have the opportunity to receive the Seal of Arts Proficiency in multiple disciplines.
Grades: 12th