The Wheeler High School band program is well known for its excellence and has performed internationally as well as throughout the southeast region. The band program offers many opportunities for musicians, including the Wildcat Pride Marching Band, the symphonic bands, the Jazz Band as well as numerous solo and ensemble groups. The band program not only teaches musicianship, but also important leadership and group skills, including, cooperation, negotiation, verbal and visual communications, responsibility to the group and its goals, time management, and tolerance for the attitudes and abilities of others.

Courses Offered

Concert (Beginning) Band- Woodwinds
This course focuses on fundamental techniques of the woodwind instruments.  These techniques will be applied to concert band literature appropriate to the level of student achievement.  

Concert (Beginning) Band- Brass/Percussion
This course focuses on fundamental techniques of the brass and percussion instruments.  These techniques will be applied to concert band literature appropriate to the level of student achievement.   

Symphonic (Intermediate) Band
This course focuses on intermediate musical concepts for all band instruments.  These concepts are applied to concert band literature appropriate to the level of student achievement

Wind Ensemble (Advanced Band)
This course focuses on advanced musical concepts for all band instruments.  These concepts are applied to concert band literature appropriate to the level of student achievement.

Concert Band
This course focuses on fundamental techniques of all band instruments.  These techniques will be applied to concert band literature appropriate to the level of student achievement.  

MUSIC APPRECIATION
Students will explore all aspects of music in varying cultures, spanning ancient history through contemporary times.

AP MUSIC THEORY
This is the school's advanced placement music theory course.  This class analyzes and composes music from the classical period and studies its influence on current music trends.

• Mark Hoskins
  Director
  
  
• Anthony Higdon
  Assistant band director
  
  
• Ann Bailey
  Guard Sponsor
  
  
• Chris Romanowski
  Percussion Instructor
  
  
• Mary Romanowski
  Colorguard Instructor
  
  
• Band website
  

 
The Wheeler High School Orchestra program consists of the Philharmonia Orchestra, Sinfonia Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra. In the last five years they have performed at the "North American Music Festival" in Williamsburg, Virginia, as well as "Music USA Festivals" in Orlando Florida, winning excellent ratings at both as well as three trophies. 

Courses Offered

BEGINNING ORCHESTR I
This course gives students a chance to begin playing a string instrument. They will have an opportunity to audition for Philharmonia Orchestra in the spring.

SINFONIA/INTERMEDIATE ORCHESTRA
This orchestra focuses on review of technical and musical concepts at the intermediate level. These are then transferred to orchestral literature and performed throughout the year.

CHAMBER/ADVANCED ORCHESTRA
This orchestra focuses on more advanced skills and literature. This select group of students must meet specified playing requirements to enroll.

PHILHARMONIA/BEGINNING ORCHESTRA II
This course focuses on musical and technical concepts at a beginning level. These are then transferred to orchestral literature and performed throughout the year.

PHILHARMONIA/BEGINNING ORCHESTRA III
Contact Mr. O’Keefe for information.

MUSIC APPRECIATION
Students will explore all aspects of music in varying cultures, spanning ancient history through contemporary times.

AP MUSIC THEORY
This is the school's advanced placement music theory course.  This class analyzes and composes music from the classical period and studies its influence on current music trends.

• Dwayne Wasson
  Director
  
  
• Orchestra Website

The Choral Department at Wheeler consists of three choirs that meet during the school day, and provides students with numerous co-curricular opportunities. Wheeler Chorus students participate in GMEA District Performance Evaluation, All-State Auditions, and Honor Choir, and the Spivey Hall Honor Choir. Chorus students also have opportunities to perform at school assemblies, sports events, and in the community. Visit www.wheelerchorus.com for details!

Courses Offered

CHORALE
Beginning Chorus class. Open to students of all grade levels. This class meets year round on the 3rd A/B block. Magnet students and others who need to take this class as a "skinny" may do so. Students are strongly encouraged to take both the A class and the B class if possible, so as to meet every day. No audition and no singing experience needed. This course will teach the fundamentals of music theory, sight-reading, and vocal techniques.

SPIRITO
By audition, 10th-12th grade women. Students must have basic skills in vocal technique, music theory, and sight-reading, as these skills will be emphasized and developed in greater depth.

BEL VOCE
Audition required for 10th-12th grade men and women. Students should have an advanced knowledge of music theory, sight-reading and vocal technique, and demonstrate an exceptional work ethic. Students who are placed in this choir are invited to audition for an after school a cappella choir during the fall semester.

• Jaime Rivet
  Director
  
• Chorus website

INTRO TO THEATRE
This course is designed as an overview of the many facets of theatre. Students develop beginning performance skills through improvisation, pantomime, and monologues,. The aspects of technical theatre are explored through hands on set construction and painting,. Students also learn about how plays are constructed through script writing, as well as exploring some theatrical history.

INTERMEDIATE THEATRE
Students intensify characterization study through scene work and improvisation. They learn performance terminology and applied script analysis to stimulate character development. Historical contributions of specific playwrights are studied. Intermediate students develop a monologue suitable for either audition or competition purposes.

ADVANCED THEATRE
The acting experience continues to in-depth character analysis. Students study and analyze various philosophies regarding acting techniques. Improvisation work becomes central to character development. Students also explore the demands of directing through exercises and scene work. The semester’s work culminates in a performance presented to the public.

TECHNICAL THEATRE
This course is designed with the true “techie” in mind. Students study every facet of technical theatre in-depth and hands-on. Each student chooses an approved play and then designs promotional materials, set, lighting, sound, costuming, make-up, and props. If you like to take things apart, put things together, and generally get your hands dirty while thinking “outside the box”, this is where you need to be!

CHILDREN’S THEATRE
This very active class incorporates both performance and technical aspects of theatre. Students work together to produce a children’s play, choosing as a class to either use a previously published work or write an original script. Students are responsible for designing and implementing every technical facet of the show. They perform for elementary audiences as well as the community.

Dramatic Arts/History & Literature
This course will examine classic dramatic literature that has been captured by the medium of film. Students will compare and contrast the two presentations. Students will also study film work of specific directors in preparation for a research project examining either an approved genre of film or an approved director. Projects will be presented orally to the class. 

MUSICAL THEATRE
Everyone in this class participates in song, dance, and theatre. The entire spectacle that is a musical! All students in this class are cast members of the annual spring musical. Students also work together to construct the set. This can be one of the most memorable of high school experiences. 

• Wendy Gilstrap
  Drama Teacher

BASIC VISUAL ARTS COMPREHENSIVE
This class is open to any student with an interest in art.  This is a full block class that gives the student an in depth studio experience and art history background on which to build.  Areas of study include drawing, painting, pottery, printmaking, and color theory.

DRAWING/PAINTING Y
Open to students with solid drawing skills. Painting techniques are introduced with various subject matter examined. Weekly sketchbook assignments add to students’ problem solving skills. The second part of this course explores a more stylized approach to subject matter & materials.

Drawing & Painting II
Enhances level-one drawing and painting skills and provides opportunities to apply techniques in a variety of media. Stresses critical analysis of master paintings and drawings of different styles and historical periods: emphasizes problem solving techniques to improve mastery of materials.

CERAMICS IY
An introductory class to hand built ceramics. Students will use red and white earthenware, learn primitive and electric firings and investigate glazing techniques. The second half of this class focuses on advanced techniques including time on the potter’s wheel.

Ceramics II
Enhances level one skills and provides opportunities to apply design techniques in clay through hand building and/or throwing on the potters wheel. Introduces formulation of glazes and kiln firing; stresses evaluation of clay forms through critiques.

SCULPTURE IY
Additive and reductive techniques are taught using diverse materials including clay, plaster, and soapstone.

Sculpture II
Enhances level one skills and explores the design and production of relief sculpture and sculpture in the round Emphasizes the historical origins and function of sculpture in the Western and Non- Western cultures.  Introduces more complex techniques of construction and exploration of materials in additive and subtractive techniques.

AP STUDIO
The class is designed for serious art students who may pursue a career in the visual arts field. This class requires a significant out of class time commitment and it carries a quality point. Drawing, printmaking, painting, and mixed media are the major areas of study. Personal artistic style development is encouraged.

PHOTOGRAPHY IY
This course intends to introduce students to photographic equipment, materials, processes and philosophy.  Includes experiments with pinhole cameras, historical techniques, photographic paper, film, 35 mm camera operation, film processing, enlarging and presentation of images.  Some outside of class time will be necessary.  Students must have a single lens reflex 35mm camera.

ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY II
This course intends to continue students’ education onto photographic equipment, materials, processes and philosophy.  Special emphasis is given to projects involving historical exploration, camera vision, and conceptual ideas.  Students will explore multiple photographic styles including commercial and fine art uses of photographic expression.  They will work toward the creation of a finished portfolio of images.  Some outside of class time will be necessary.  Students must have a single lens reflex 35mm camera.

• Jeannie Kane
  Art Teacher
  
  
• Colleen Casey
  Art Teacher
  
  
• Suzanne Yates
  Art Teacher