Classes/Ensembles

Wind Symphony

Our top wind ensemble here at CSHS. Auditions will be held in December each year for the following season.

Symphonic Band 

Our middle level ensemble ensemble. This ensemble is also an auditioned ensemble. Auditions are held in December for the following school year. Any incoming freshmen will be allowed to audition in January. All major scales must also be played by memory. For the audition excerpts, see Mr. Bailey or Mr. Hillhouse.

Concert Band

Our entry level ensemble. There is no audition required. Students will learn a wide variety of literature and continue to fortify their performance techniques.

Music Theory Classes

At Carl Sandburg High School we offer three different levels of music theory.

Music Theory 1

Our entry level of theory for all students. This class covers everything from basic music notation through analyzing four part chorales. This course is the prerequisite course to AP or Music Theory 2. Students will explore classical literature as well as current pop music. Students will learn the basic fundamentals in composition and use music technology to compose and analyze. 

Music Theory 2

This class will focus more on advanced analysis, composition and advanced theoretical skills involved in compositions. Students will study a wide range of styles and genres including  symphonic, classical, jazz, orchestral and popular music. Students will learn the basic and advanced fundamentals for composition. Students will prepare a final composition for Composers Forum.

AP Music Theory

This class is designed to prepare our students for the AP Music Theory Exam. They will take an in depth look on the rational of analysis as well as advanced ear training and aural analysis. Students will prepare a final composition for Composers Forum.

At Carl Sandburg High School, our Jazz Ensembles are all co-curricular. Rehearsals for these ensembles are after school. 

CSHS has many opportunities for jazz:

Jazz Lab Band

Open to all students, secondary instruments and non-traditional jazz instruments welcome! This ensemble will focus on the intro techniques for many jazz styles and improvisation. No audition required.

Jazz Ensemble II 

Auditioned competitive jazz ensemble. Rehearses two days a week. Focuses on advanced techniques in many jazz styles and improvisation. 

Jazz Combo

Auditioned competitive ensemble. Focuses primarily on advanced improvisation techniques. Students will learn to transcribe, transpose licks as well as the ins and outs of being a combo member. This ensemble rehearses twice a week. ​

Jazz Ensemble I

Auditioned competitive ensemble. Our top jazz ensemble here at Carl Sandburg High School. This ensemble has been featured at many events at nearby restaurants as well as the ILMEA All-State Conference. This ensemble is packed with challenging literature and focuses on many jazz styles and improvisation.

"There's a way of playing safe, there's a way of using tricks and there's the way I like to play, which is dangerously, where you’re going to take a chance on making mistakes in order to create something you haven't created before.”— Dave Brubeck

Music Business and Technology 1 & 2

Music Business and Technology is a curricular music class that explores many areas of the current music world.

We dive into the world of recording: studios, concert halls, acoustics, different equipment, live. We will work with programs such as GarageBand, Audacity, ProTools 12 and Ableton Live 10. We will make equipment schematics and dive into wiring and building your own speakers. Lots of hands on projects with real equipment. In addition we will learn how the technology works in this field and how to set it up. 

 Music Business enthusiasts will enjoy our in depth look at: agents. contracts, record labels, history, budgets, lawyers and much more. We'll take a look at the history of radio and how our technological advancement effects our music world today with streaming music on Spotify and iTunes. Contact Mr. Hillhouse if you have any questions.