As you move into the upper levels of the Academy guitar program, exciting opportunities may be available to you for the first time, including participation in the Guitar Under the Stars concert and auditioning for the All-State Music Festival. We will continue to reinforce the essential basics of great guitar playing, including rest stroke scales, free stroke arpeggios, slurs, and coordination exercises. Because the music is of greater difficulty, we will focus on note-reading skills in higher positions and solving increasingly complex rhythms while improving ensemble skills. Most of the music we learn will be presented at our three concerts.

Optional Second Elective as Pass/Fail: The typical course load is six classes. In the 8-9 division, students may opt to take a second elective (in visual arts, performing arts, or computer science) in lieu of a study hall. This is a good option for students who are exceptionally organized and tend to manage their time well; it is not a good option for students with busy extracurricular schedules or who struggle with time management and organization. The seventh class does not count as a graduation requirement. It will not appear on students’ transcripts, and it must be taken as Pass/Fail.