Austin ISD Fine Arts believes in strong instrumental music education because it develops well-rounded students through music-making that builds discipline, creativity, collaboration, and critical listening while supporting confidence, perseverance, and social-emotional growth. Instrumental music instruction connects academic learning to real-world skills such as teamwork, goal-setting, time management, and technical proficiency, while also fostering cultural understanding and civic engagement through performance and ensemble participation. By providing equitable access to instrumental music education, students with diverse learning styles are supported, school engagement and achievement are strengthened, and learners are prepared for college, careers, and active participation in society.
Middle School
Students in middle school are required to participate in one fine arts course in grades 6, 7 or 8. In Austin ISD, the middle school fine arts course requirement can be satisfied by taking art, band, choir, dance, theater, guitar, orchestra, and piano, if applicable. The fine arts requirement can be met with either a semester or a yearlong course. All courses offered in this section meet the state fine arts requirement.
BAND MS 1
Grade: 6-8
Prerequisite: NONE
Band MS 1 is a full-year elective for students taking band for the first time in middle school, and no previous musical experience is necessary. This class is available to any student interested in learning to play a band instrument for the first time. Placement on an instrument is based on physical characteristics, student preference, director recommendation, and availability. Austin ISD band directors guide students in selecting the instrument for which they are suited. The class meets during the school day; however, there may be some outside of class time requirements at various times through the year to prepare for concerts. Participation in concerts is required.
BAND MS 2
Grade: 7-8
Prerequisite: Band MS 1, Director’s approval required for placement in all levels.
Band students in their second year in middle school band enroll in MS 2 and are placed by audition into ability-based bands. Other factors that can affect band placement are experience, attitude/behavior, and director recommendation. MS 2 band students present concerts throughout the year for both the student body and the community and participate in several group and individual contests. Full band, small group, and Individualized instruction is provided to ensure the success of the students. Weekly section rehearsals, either before or after school, and participation in concerts and contests are required.
BAND MS 3
Grade: 8
Prerequisite: Band MS 2, Director’s approval required for placement in all levels.
Band students in their third year in middle school band enroll in MS 3 and are placed by audition into ability-based bands. Other factors that can affect band placement are experience, attitude/behavior, and director recommendation. MS 3 band students present concerts throughout the year for both the student body and the community and participate in several group and individual contests. Full band, small group, and individualized instruction are provided to ensure the success of the students. Weekly section rehearsals, either before or after school, and participation in concerts and contests are required.
ORCHESTRA MS 1
Grade: 6-8
Prerequisite: NONE
Orchestra MS 1 is a full-year elective for students taking orchestra for the first time in middle school, and no previous musical experience is necessary. This class is available to any student interested in learning to play an orchestra instrument for the first time. Placement on an instrument is based on physical characteristics, student preference, director recommendation, and availability. Austin ISD orchestra directors guide students in selecting the instrument for which they are suited. The class meets during the school day; however, there may be some outside of class time requirements at various times through the year to prepare for concerts. Participation in concerts is required.
ORCHESTRA MS 2
Grade: 7-8
Prerequisite: Orchestra MS 1, Director’s approval required for placement in all levels.
Orchestra students in their second year in middle school orchestra enroll in MS 2 and are placed by audition into ability-based orchestras. Other factors that can affect orchestra placement are experience, attitude/behavior, and director recommendation. MS 2 Orchestra students present concerts throughout the year for both the student body and the community and participate in several group and individual contests. Full band, small group, and individualized instruction are provided to ensure the success of the students. Weekly section rehearsals, either before or after school, and participation in concerts and contests are required.
ORCHESTRA MS 3
Grade: 8
Prerequisite: Orchestra MS 2, Director’s approval required for placement in all levels.
Orchestra students in their third year in middle school orchestra enroll in MS 2 and are placed by audition into ability-based orchestras. Other factors that can affect orchestra placement are experience, attitude/behavior, and director recommendation. MS 3 Orchestra students present concerts throughout the year for both the student body and the community and participate in several group and individual contests. Full band, small group, and individualized instruction are provided to ensure the success of the students. Weekly section rehearsals, either before or after school, and participation in concerts and contests are required.
GUITAR MS 1
Grade: 6-8
Prerequisite: Director’s approval required for placement in all levels.
Guitar is offered at three levels of instruction. Students furnish classical guitars; however, some instruments may be available for use. Rapidly progressing students may be transferred to a more-Advanced Guitar as scheduling permits. Out-of-school rehearsals and performances are required.
GUITAR MS 2
Grade: 7-8
Prerequisite: Guitar MS 1, Director’s approval required for placement in all levels.
Guitar is offered at three levels of instruction. Students furnish classical guitars; however, some instruments may be available for use. Rapidly progressing students may be transferred to a more-Advanced Guitar as scheduling permits. Out-of-school rehearsals and performances are required.
GUITAR MS 3
Grade: 8
Prerequisite: Guitar MS 1 and Guitar MS 2, Director’s approval required for placement in all levels.
Guitar is offered at three levels of instruction. Students furnish classical guitars; however, some instruments may be available for use. Rapidly progressing students may be transferred to a more-Advanced Guitar as scheduling permits. Out-of-school rehearsals and performances are required.
PIANO MS 1
Grade: 6-8
Prerequisite: Director’s approval required for placement in all levels.
This is a performance-oriented course where students learn how to play the piano. Musicianship is developed by reading music, piano technique, and music listening. Out-of-school rehearsals and public performances are required.
PIANO MS 2
Grade: 7-8
Prerequisite: Piano MS 1, Director’s approval required for placement in all levels.
This is a performance-oriented course where students learn how to play the piano. Musicianship is developed by reading music, piano technique, and music listening. Out-of-school rehearsals and public performances are required.
PIANO MS 3
Grade: 8
Prerequisite: Piano MS 1 and Piano MS 2, Director's approval required for placement in all levels.
This is a performance-oriented course where students learn how to play the piano. Musicianship is developed by reading music, piano technique, and music listening. Out-of-school rehearsals and public performances are required.
ENSEMBLE MS 2
Grade: 7-8
Prerequisite: Any middle school music 1 course, Director’s approval required for placement in all levels.
An instrumental or vocal music ensemble of varying size is designed to promote the performance technique of stage band, folk, rock, jazz, Caribbean, and other popular musical idioms genres. Students must be enrolled in a regular band, choir, or orchestra class to participate in any specialized instrumental or vocal ensemble. Out-of-school rehearsals and performances are required.
ENSEMBLE MS 3
Grade: 8
Prerequisite: Ensemble MS 2
An instrumental or vocal music ensemble of varying size is designed to promote the performance technique of stage band, folk, rock, jazz, Caribbean, and other popular musical idioms genres. Students must be enrolled in a regular band, choir, or orchestra class to participate in any specialized instrumental or vocal ensemble. Out-of-school rehearsals and performances are required.
MARIACHI MS 1
Grade: 7-8
Prerequisite: Director’s approval required for placement in all levels - student should have completed a music level 1 course in Choir, Guitar, Band, or Orchestra.
An instrumental and vocal music ensemble designed to promote mariachi performance techniques. Students must have completed a Middle School 1 course in band, choir, guitar, or orchestra before enrolling in Mariachi 2. Out-of-school rehearsals and performances are required.
MARIACHI MS 2
Grade: 8
Prerequisite: Mariachi MS 2
An instrumental and vocal music ensemble designed to promote mariachi performance techniques. Students must have completed a Middle School 1 course in band, choir, guitar, or orchestra before enrolling in Mariachi 2. Out-of-school rehearsals and performances are required
High School
Attendance at performances and rehearsals outside school hours is required and included in grades. In addition to the regular curriculum, students will be required to complete extra work for weighted credit. Within one music strand, students are encouraged to follow the sequence of courses to complete a Humanities and Fine Arts endorsement.
BAND I-IV
Credit: 1 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 9-12
Recommended Prerequisite: Band, Middle School 1 (Beginning), Middle School 2 (Intermediate), and Middle School 3 (Advanced) and/or director's approval recommended for placement in all ensembles.
High school band classes are offered for a sequential, continuing study of band music. The four band levels are generally a continuation of the band curriculum from middle school skills. Band I-IV is performance-oriented and focuses on individual as well as ensemble skills. Students develop advanced wind/percussion techniques as they study the wide range of band literature.
Advanced musicianship is developed through the study of instrumental techniques, sight-reading skills, and music listening. Students are expected to furnish their own instruments, although some instruments may be available for use from the campus. Rapidly progressing students may be transferred to a more advanced band level as approved by the director, and as scheduling permits. Out-of-school rehearsals and performances are required. The component of marching band is included in the total band spectrum in the fall from band levels I to IV. Marching band participants in the fall semester are eligible for PE substitution and fine arts credit concurrently.
ORCHESTRA I-IV
Credit: 1 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 9-12
Recommended Prerequisite: Orchestra, Middle School 1 (Beginning), Middle School 2 (Intermediate), and Middle School 3 (Advanced) and/or director's approval recommended for placement in all ensembles.
High school orchestra classes are offered for a sequential, continuing study of orchestral music. The four orchestra levels are generally a continuation of the orchestra curriculum from middle school skills. Orchestra I-IV is performance-oriented and focuses on individual as well as ensemble skills. Students develop advanced string/orchestral techniques as they study the wide range of orchestral literature.
Advanced musicianship is developed through the study of instrumental techniques, sight-reading skills, and music listening. Students are expected to furnish their own instruments, although some instruments may be available for use from the campus. Rapidly progressing students may be transferred to a more advanced orchestra level as approved by the director, and as scheduling permits. Out-of-school rehearsals and performances are required.
GUITAR I-IV
Credit: 1 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 9-12
Recommended Prerequisite: Guitar, Middle School 1 (Beginning), Middle School 2 (Intermediate), Middle School 3 (Advanced) and/or director’s approval recommended for placement in all classes.
Students develop guitar techniques and study guitar literature.
PIANO I-IV
Credit: 1 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 9-12
Recommended Prerequisite: Piano, Middle School 1 (Beginning), Middle School 2 (Intermediate), Middle School 3 (Advanced) or another middle school music course such as band, choir, orchestra or guitar and/or director’s approval recommended for placement in all classes.
Students develop piano techniques and study piano literature.
HARP I-IV
Credit: 1 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 9-12
Recommended Prerequisite: Music, Middle School 1 (Beginning), Middle School 2 (Intermediate), Middle School 3 (Advanced) such as band, choir, orchestra or guitar and/or director’s approval recommended for placement in all classes.
Students develop harp techniques and study harp literature.
MARIACHI I-IV
Credit: 1 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 9-12
Recommended Prerequisite: Enrollment in middle school band, orchestra, and/or choir. Attendance at rehearsals and performances outside school hours is recommended.
Students learn and develop mariachi techniques and study mariachi literature.
JAZZ BAND I-IV
Credit: 1 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 9-12
Recommended Prerequisite: An enrolled member of a regular band or orchestra class and/or director approval.
Students develop jazz techniques and study jazz literature. Wind and percussion players must be enrolled in a regular band class. Guitar, electric bass, and keyboard players need not be enrolled in a regular band or orchestra.
INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE I
Credit: 1 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 9-12
Recommended Prerequisite: One year or concurrent enrollment in a Level I-IV ensemble (Band, Choir, Guitar or Orchestra and/or director’s approval.
Students study the specialized technical problems of performance techniques for brass, woodwind, percussion and stringed instruments. Options may include Mariachi and Steel Drum Band. Literature for small ensembles is studied. Wind and percussion players must be enrolled in a regular band class, and string players must be enrolled in a regular orchestra class.
INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE II
Credit: 1 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 10-12
Recommended Prerequisite: One year or concurrent enrollment in a Level I-IV ensemble (Band, Choir, Guitar or Orchestra) and/or director’s approval.
Students study the specialized technical problems of performance techniques for brass, woodwind, percussion and stringed instruments. Options may include Mariachi and Steel Drum Band. Literature for small ensembles is studied. Wind and percussion players must be enrolled in a regular band class, and string players must be enrolled in a regular orchestra class.
INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE III
Credit: 1 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 11-12
Recommended Prerequisite: One year or concurrent enrollment in a Level I-IV ensemble (Band, Choir, Guitar or Orchestra) and/or director’s approval.
Students study the specialized technical problems of performance techniques for brass, woodwind, percussion and stringed instruments. Options may include Mariachi and Steel Drum Band. Literature for small ensembles is studied. Wind and percussion players must be enrolled in a regular band class, and string players must be enrolled in a regular orchestra class.
INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE IV
Credit: 1 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 12
Recommended Prerequisite: One year or concurrent enrollment in a Level I-IV ensemble (Band, Choir, Guitar or Orchestra) and/or director’s approval.
Students study the specialized technical problems of performance techniques for brass, woodwind, percussion and stringed instruments. Options may include Mariachi and Steel Drum Band. Literature for small ensembles is studied. Wind and percussion players must be enrolled in a regular band class, and string players must be enrolled in a regular orchestra class.
APPLIED MUSIC I-IV (INSTRUMENTAL)
Credit: 1 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 9-12
Prerequisite: NONE
Credit is awarded for private music study outside of school hours and off campus. Credit can be granted for the course only when the contracting student is enrolled concurrently in at least one additional instrumental music course offered by the school. The private teacher must cover all the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) during the course of study. The band or orchestra director shall be the teacher of record and will verify the quality of the work. Each individual contract must be completed within 12 calendar months or less.
MUSIC THEORY I-II
Credit: 1 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 9-10
Prerequisite: Middle School 1, 2, and 3 Band, choir, guitar, piano or orchestra, and one year or concurrent enrollment in a level I-II ensemble (Band, Choir, Guitar or Orchestra) and director’s approval.
Music Theory I is a basic survey of the fundamentals and vocabulary of music. It involves rules and terminology of notation, ear training, sight singing, harmonic and melodic dictation, and form analysis. Technical applications to keyboard, singing, and/or guitar are included in the coursework. Students enrolled in this course must have access to a keyboard instrument at home for practice and completion of assignments.
AP MUSIC THEORY
Credit: 1 (Fine Arts)
Grade: 11-12
Prerequisite: Music Theory I and II or the passing of a placement exam and one year or concurrent enrollment in a level III or IV ensemble (band, choir, guitar or orchestra) and director’s approval.
Students learn to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. Develop aural, sight-singing, written, compositional, dictation and analytical skills through a series of listening, performance, written, creative, and analytical exercises. Students enrolled in this course must have access to a keyboard instrument at home for practice and completion of assignments. Attending out of school sessions and performances are required and part of the student’s grade.