It can be overwhelming for the first few semesters in a school with so many classes and people. Once the underclassmen get all their electives out of the way, here are some pointers on picking new classes. As seniors, we have taken dozens of classes. There are of course classes that everyone has to take like English or Algebra, but the real test of how a school year will be is what other classes are available to take.
A huge portion of the available electives are music classes. Everyone in middle school is required to take some form of band, choir, or orchestra. Whether you have never picked up an instrument before, or you are years into it, the music classes at DHS don’t compare to middle school music. By the time you get to high school, mostly all of the people still in the band are people who want to be there which makes all the difference. All four of the music teachers are ready to teach any talent level and age group.
If you’re looking for entry-level classes to learn an instrument or brush up on your basics there is a Freshman Orchestra, Concert Band, Intro to Piano, Guitar, Concert Choir, and Pop Choir. For Upperclassmen or higher-level musicians, there are some harder but still accessible classes like Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, and the Madrigals. The two Symphonic ensembles are considered 10th-12th grade level and they have lots of amazing performance opportunities and audition opportunities throughout the year. The Winter Concert, Spring Music Fest, Graduation, Western Connecticut Regionals, and the annual music field trip/overnight trip are all available for students to perform at, audition for, or experience. The music experience at DHS is full of fun, talent, and expression. Throughout my seven years in the program, I have watched time and time again as the older kids welcome and mentor the younger ones, and have had some of the most fun of my life traveling and performing alongside them all.
So what is the hardest music class in DHS? The answer varies. If you find the basics difficult or have fingers too short to play piano chords, the easy ones can become challenging. For more experienced musicians, the hardest class is without a doubt AP Music Theory.
AP Music Theory: The college-level class goes over a variety of topics centering around the different types of composition, composers, chord building, progressions, music writing, and so much more. If none of those topics sound familiar to you, it might be a few years before you attempt it, as it is one of the hardest AP courses and tests offered at DHS. Very few kids take the class every year and the ones who do mostly take it if they plan to continue music after high school. I worked at it constantly just to understand the concepts being taught and keep up. Throughout the course, I cried real tears, struggled through the hardest notes and studying I’d ever done, and left with an AP score of 3 and more confidence in my playing and writing than ever before.
For those who are willing to learn it, it is incredibly helpful to have a basis in before college. It will help with learning new instruments, writing and arranging music for you and your friends with your favorite songs, and understanding key changes, scales, chord progressions, and rhythms in your own playing. If you are dedicated enough for this challenging and intimate class, it will change the way you understand and play any music for the rest of your time being a musician.
To make the most out of high school you have to know where your effort is going. Whether you wish to indulge in the arts, only take STEM or a mix of both, the difficulty also matters. When you consider taking the plunge toward harder classes, it’s important to truly know what you are getting into. The jump from your Algebra 1 to Honors Algebra 2, or Honors English 2 to AP English Language is a leap in workload and mental energy, and it may not be in the way you think. This next section will be dedicated to how these jumps will change your day to day. It’s important when considering these jumps in expectation, to know what you expect from yourself. Taking harder classes in my experience has been an amazing way to learn more and to get the most out of high school, with a few extra sleepless nights. So here are a few more STEM and academically focused course reviews.
AP English Language and Composition: This class will kick your butt, it is a class that challenges your comprehension of a variety of English subjects and asks you to analyze the reason behind every word put down. This class was one of my favorites. I loved learning to analyze media on a higher level and seeing the world from a different view. Disclaimer, just so this article isn’t blamed for people’s stress. This class is hard and the current teachers both grade very harshly, but you will improve, with a little blood, sweat, and tears. I believe that this class is an acquired taste, 5 out of 7 you should take it if you are willing to suffer a bit.
AP United States History: If you don’t like history please do not take this class, I feel that is a given but at the same time I have to say it for my conscience. If you like history this class won’t be a breeze but it will be very interesting. As someone with a mild love of history, this class was everything I wanted out of a history class. This class has so many terms that you will drown in them, but learning about US history is very important and informs you throughout your life. I learned a lot of things in this class that are widely applicable. On the other hand, I learned about the Quasi-War, so it’s give and take. It was one of my favorite classes, but I drowned in terms. Solid 9 out of 13.
AP Physics 2: I cried actual tears in this class. On the first test, the highest grade was 80, median grade was 53. If you hate yourself a bit and really love physics and science you can take it. This has been the hardest class I have taken in high school, and someday I will be set free from the Greek alphabet. The concepts advance to a different level of difficulty that is very very very hard to understand. Though the class is hard, for those who love science it teaches in a very physical way and you are really immersed in the concepts. A weak 4/9, no shade on the teaching of the class, I don’t know how anyone could teach these concepts, it is just near-impossible to grasp some of the material in the time given by the College Board.
So, underclassmen, we know it’s a lot. If you can believe it, we’ve barely scratched the surface of the courses offered at DHS in every field you can think to be interested in. If you’re looking for an art, STEM, building, or computer class we haven’t covered, ask your counselor! They have all types of helpful insight into what would be right for you. Like we did, you’ll find what you like through trial and error, through tears and laughs, and through all four years. DHS is unique and offers more than hundreds of other schools all around the country. Take advantage of every class you can while it is free and offered. Best of luck, and we hope you get as much out of your high school experience as we did.
