Extra-Curricular Ensembles
Frequently Asked Questions
You already know how great our extra-curriculars
are! You know that
 we have some of the best student performing
groups in Canada.
 ensembles perform at concerts and school
functions throughout the school year.
 being in a choir or instrumental group is a great
way to meet new people, especially people from
other grades.
Can I still be in a band or choir if I don’t take a
Music course?
Ensembles that you can join
All grade 10’s
Junior Band
Junior Jazz
Highlander Chorus
Jazz Choir (with a successful audition)
Guitar Ensemble
Guitar Jam
Music Council
Grade 10’s with the appropriate skill level
Senior Band
Sr. Jazz (if there’s an opening in the group)
Small Ensemble
Grade 11’s and 12’s
Senior Band (for credit)
Senior Jazz
Small Ensemble(s)
Highlander Chorus (for credit)
Jazz Choir (with a successful audition)
Guitar Ensemble
Guitar Jam
Music Council
Grade 12’s
Junior Jazz or Small Ensemble Conductor
You are welcome to join a group as long as you
have the skills to perform the music. The best way
to develop those skills is to continue to take Music
class.
What are my post-secondary options for
Music?
 Study Music as your Major in a university
program, focusing on classical music and skills.
 Study Music in a college program, focusing
primarily on performance skills and
jazz/commercial music.
 Study music as your Minor.
 Take music courses as options within your
program.
 Join a university ensemble. Some are totally
recreational; others are for credit.
What can I do with Music later in life?
There are many Music-related careers:
 Music Therapy, Education, Performance,
Composing, Arranging, Church Music
 In the Music Industry: Artist scouting and
relations, Marketing, Legal Rep, Arts
Administration, Recording and Broadcasting
Sir John A. Macdonald S.S.
Music
Program
Or, let Music enrich your out-of-work life
 Join a community band or choir; form a band
with friends or co-workers; attend and
appreciate great concerts. Let Music be a lifelong creative outlet and source of recreation.
Life without Music would be a mistake.
Friedrich Nietzsche
Grades 10-12
Music is about communication, creativity and
cooperation. By studying music in school, students
have the opportunity to build on these skills,
enrich their lives and experience the world from a
new perspective.
US President Bill Clinton
Grade 12 Courses
AMI 4MI
Instrumental college/university
level Prerequisite: Grade 11 Instrumental
AMH 4MI Instrumental Jazz college/university
level Prerequisite: Grade 11 Instrumental
AMR 4MI
Grade 10 Courses
AMI 2OI Instrumental open level
Preparation: Grade 9 Instrumental strongly
recommended
AMV 2OI Vocal open level
Preparation: Grade 9 Vocal or Grade 9
Instrumental strongly recommended
Grade 11 Courses
Instrumental college/university
level Prerequisite: Grade 9 or 10 Instrumental;
Grade 10 Instrumental strongly recommended
AMV 3MI Vocal college/university level
Prerequisite: Grade 9 or 10 Vocal; Grade 10 Vocal
strongly recommended
AMG 3OI Guitar open level
For beginning or intermediate players.
No prerequisite.
AMR 3OH, AMR 3OK Repertoire open level
Half-credit courses for grade 11-12 students in
Senior Band or Highlander Chorus for a full school
year. No prerequisite; a grade 9 or 10 course
strongly recommended
SHSM Repertoire
college/university level Full-credit course for
SHSM students in Sr. Band or Highlander Chorus
as well as one other ensemble and Music Council
Requirement: enrollment in SHSM program
AMV 4MI Vocal college/university level
Prerequisite: Grade 11 Vocal
AMT 4MI Musical Theatre college/university
level Prerequisite: Gr. 11 Vocal
The SHSM program is perfect for anyone who loves
Music. No matter what your post-secondary plans,
the program will give you skills and experiences
that will broaden your knowledge and your
resume.
SHSM Program with a Music
Concentration
Music Courses


Additional Courses


83% of adults who earn $150,000+ per year
studied Music in school.
New York Times
AMR 3MI
SHSM Repertoire
college/university level Full-credit course for
SHSM students in Sr. Band or Highlander Chorus
as well as one other ensemble and Music Council.
Requirement: enrollment in SHSM program
The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a
concentrated grade 11-12 program. It is certified by
the Ministry of Education and is recognized by
Universities and Colleges throughout Ontario.
The SHSM program allows you to study an arts
area in more depth, through extra courses and outof-class learning experiences. It also gives you the
opportunity to explore some of the many artsrelated careers that are available.
At SJAM, the SHSM in Arts and Culture can be
completed with a concentration in Music, Visual
Art, or a combination of Music and Art.
Two-credit Co-op in a Music-related
workplace
One Business or Social Science course with
music-related project work
Certificates

AMI 3MI
Specialist High Skills Major
(SHSM) in Arts and Culture
Two Grade 11 Music courses
Two Grade 12 Music courses
Earn certificates in music-related and
workplace skills, such as First Aid/CPR,
Lift Training or performance-related skills
Experiential Learning and Reach-Ahead
Activities

Go beyond high school through field trips
and activities in workplace, college and
university settings
Refer to the Arts and Culture SHSM brochure
for specific information on courses and full
program details.
Students studying Music score higher on
standardized tests, including university entrance
exams (SAT’s) and IQ tests.
University of California, US College Board