Fine Arts

Curricular

Members will rehearse and perform a variety of wind band music at three annual concerts. Concerts are held outside of the school day and attendance is required. Students will be expected to attend weekly small group lessons and practice their instrument outside of class. Members are encouraged to participate in marching band and expected to attend five winter pep band events.

• Grade level(s):  Grade 9
• What day(s) and time does it take place:  During the School Day
• Contact:  Markus Hahn (Markus_Hahn@rdale.org)
• Rental fee for school-owned equipment or use your own personal instrument

Extra-Curricular

There are two jazz bands at Cooper High School.  Jazz I is auditioned based and rehearses twice a week starting in mid October.  They perform at every concert and perform various holiday gigs in December.  Jazz II is an introductory jazz band that meets once a week beginning in November.  Students can learn an idiomatic jazz instrument, and learn the basics about jazz including an introduction to improvisation, and proper jazz style and articulation.  Jazz II is open to any and all instruments.  Jazz I is traditional jazz instrumentation.

Grade level(s): 9-12
What day(s) and time does it take place: Jazz I: Tuesday/Friday at 6:20 a.m.; Jazz II: Thursday at 6:20 a.m.
Contact Markus Hahn (Markus_Hahn@rdale.org)
Activity Fee: Yes, plus rental fee for school-owned equipment or use your own personal instrument

Curricular

Students must have successful participation in 9th grade band. The concert band will rehearse and perform a variety of wind band repertoire. They perform at concerts, contests, and festivals throughout the year. Attendance is required for all performances. Students will be expected to attend weekly small group lessons and practice their instrument outside of class. Members are encouraged to participate in marching band and expected to attend five winter pep band events. 

Grade level(s): 10-12
What day(s) and time does it take place: During the school day
Contact: Markus Hahn (Markus_Hahn@rdale.org)

Extra-Curricular

The Marching Hawks perform at all home football games, pep fests in the fall, and  annually at the Minnesota State Fair and Anoka Halloween parade. 

Marching Band is a fun way to get involved and use your misc skills in a new way. Students who wish to be involved in Marching Band may sign up in April for the upcoming fall season. 

Grade level(s): Grade 9-12
What day(s) and time does it take place: Rehearsals begin in mid-August, and change to Monday and Wednesday during the school year from 6-8 p.m. until early November.
Contact: Markus Hahn (Markus_Hahn@rdale.org) 
Activity Fee: Yes

Extra-Curricular

This is Cooper High School’s select ensemble and performs at a number of concerts, contests, and festivals. Participation in the Cooper Marching Hawks is a requirement. Attendance at all performances is mandatory. This group is dedicated to the fine performance of quality wind band repertoire. Students are expected to attend weekly small group lessons and practice their instrument outside of class. Members are expected to attend five pep band events in the winter. Select members have an opportunity to perform orchestral literature with the Cooper Symphony Orchestra

Grade level(s): Grade 10-12
Contact: Makus Hahn (Markus_Hahn@rdale.org)

Curricular

Freshmen Choir is a mixed choir (SATB) of all incoming 9th graders.  This choir also divides to perform SA (Soprano Alto) and TB (Tenor Bass) repertoire.  Freshmen Choir emphasizes voice and skill building. Students study technique, elements of music, and performance etiquette. They participate in winter and spring concerts, along with other performance opportunities.

No audition is required, however, instructors listen to each student sing to determine range, ability, and voicing. Students must be able to demonstrate pitch matching and willing to learn and develop new skills.  A Cooper Choir uniform shirt is purchased at the beginning of the school year.

Grade level(s):  Grade 9
What day(s) and time does it take place:  During school day, scheduled class time.
Contact:  Jennifer Rowan (Jennifer_Rowan@rdale.org) and Tyler Vidal (Tyler_Vidal@rdale.org)

Curricular

Varsity Choir is a non-auditioned mixed choir (SATB).  This choir also divides to perform SA (Soprano Alto) and TB (Tenor Bass) repertoire.  Varsity Choir emphasizes voice and skill building. Students study technique, elements of music, and performance etiquette. They participate in winter and spring concerts, along with other performance opportunities.

No audition is required, however, instructors listen to each student sing to determine range, ability, and voicing. Students must be able to demonstrate pitch matching and willing to learn and develop new skills.  A Cooper Choir uniform shirt is required and is purchased at the beginning of the year by singers who do not already own one.

Grade level(s):  Grade 10-12
What day(s) and time does it take place:  During school day, scheduled class time.
Contact:  Jennifer Rowan (Jennifer_Rowan@rdale.org) and Tyler Vidal (Tyler_Vidal@rdale.org)

Curricular

Concert Choir is an auditioned SATB choir, with up to 80 members chosen for their advanced vocal ability, experience, musicianship, and desire to reach higher levels of musicianship and performance. Students develop the following skills: healthy vocal production, elements of music, music history, ear training, sight reading, and performance etiquette.    A Cooper Choir uniform shirt is required and is purchased at the beginning of the year by singers who do not already own one.

Grade level(s):  Grade 10-12. Auditions occur in the spring for the following year.
What day(s) and time does it take place:  During school day, scheduled class time.
Contact:  Jennifer Rowan (Jennifer_Rowan@rdale.org) and Tyler Vidal (Tyler_Vidal@rdale.org)

Curricular

Bel Canto Choir is an auditioned SSAA (Soprano Alto) choir, with up to 70 members chosen for their advanced vocal ability, experience, musicianship, and desire to reach higher levels of musicianship and performance. Students develop the following skills: healthy vocal production, elements of music, music history, ear training, sight reading, and performance etiquette.  A Cooper Choir uniform shirt is required and is purchased at the beginning of the year by singers who do not already own one.

Grade level(s):  Grade 10-12. Auditions occur in the spring for the following year.
What day(s) and time does it take place:  During school day, scheduled class time.
Contact:  Jennifer Rowan (Jennifer_Rowan@rdale.org) and Tyler Vidal (Tyler_Vidal@rdale.org)

Extra-Curricular

Bella Voce is a select SSAA (Soprano Alto) small ensemble consisting of 16-24 singers auditioned from Bel Canto and Concert Choirs. This group performs at: The Great Cooper Get-Together, Cooper Choir concerts, National Honor Society Induction, the Variety Show, Vocal Solo & Ensemble Contest, and more each year. Singers provide their own a black blazer and purchase a uniform patch.

Grade level(s):  Grade 10-12. Auditions occur in late spring for the following year.
What day(s) and time does it take place:  Rehearsal is Wednesdays, 6:20 - 7:10 am
Contact:  Jennifer Rowan (Jennifer_Rowan@rdale.org)
Activity fee: Yes, plus uniform cost

Extra-Curricular

This is a select SATB ensemble of up to 24 singers auditioned from the Concert Choir. Attire for this group includes a choice of a tuxedo and accessories or a uniform gown and accessories.  Total attire cost per singer averages $180-200. This group performs at Cooper Choir concerts, the Variety Show, Vocal Solo & Ensemble Contest, and many more times throughout the school and community throughout the year.  

Grade level(s):  Grade 10-12. Auditions occur in late spring for the following year.
What day(s) and time does it take place:  Rehearsal is Mondays, 6:20-8:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 6:20-7:10 a.m.
Contact:  Tyler Vidal (Tyler_Vidal@rdale.org)
Activity fee: Yes, plus uniform cost

Extra-Curricular

Drop the Octave is a select TB ensemble consisting of up to 24 singers auditioned from Freshmen, Varsity, and Concert Choirs. Auditions are held in the fall of each school year. This extra-curricular Performing Arts group performs at Cooper Choir concerts, the Variety Show, Vocal Solo & Ensemble Contest, and more.

Grade level(s):  Grade 9-12
What day(s) and time does it take place:  Rehearsal is Fridays, 6:20-7:10 am
Contact:  Tyler Vidal (Tyler_Vidal@rdale.org)
Activity fee: Yes, plus uniform cost

Extra-Curricular

Treble Ensemble is a select SA (Soprano Alto) small ensemble consisting of 12-24 singers auditioned from the Freshman and Varsity Choirs. Auditions are held in the fall of each school year.  This extra-curricular Performing Arts group performs at Cooper Choir concerts, the Variety Show, Vocal Solo & Ensemble Contest, and more.

Grade level(s):  Grade 9 -12
What day(s) and time does it take place:  Rehearsal is Fridays, 6:20 - 7:10 am
Contact:  Jennifer Rowan (Jennifer_Rowan@rdale.org)
Activity fee: Yes, plus uniform cost

Curricular

This is a two-semester course that meets every day, designed for incoming freshmen. Course emphasis is placed on building and refining instrumental technique, developing musicianship and performing appropriately challenging and varied small and large group string literature. 

What day(s) and time does it take place:  During the school day
Contact: Emily Pflaum (Emily_Pflaum@rdale.org)

Curricular

This is a two-semester course that meets every day, designed for students in grades 10-12. Membership is open to all string players who have had previous instrumental training. The class offers opportunities for the refinement of skills and the introduction and development of advanced skills. The Philharmonic Orchestra performs at various concerts, contests and festivals. 

What day(s) and time does it take place:  During the school day
Contact: Emily Pflaum (Emily_Pflaum@rdale.org)

Curricular

This is Cooper High School’s select orchestral ensemble. This is a two-semester all year course designed for students in grades 10-12. Emphasis is on the development of fine ensemble playing through the performance of standard orchestral repertoire. Symphony Orchestra performs at various concerts, contests, and festivals, including the conference festival and the annual Fall Music Festival at Orchestra Hall.

What day(s) and time does it take place:  During the school day
Contact: Emily Pflaum (Emily_Pflaum@rdale.org)

Extra-Curricular

A select small ensemble made up of no more than 17 string players. This group performs at many special events throughout the year including concerts, community events, and region solo and ensemble contests. Auditions are held the first two weeks of school. Rehearsals begin in late September.

What day(s) and time does it take place:  Monday morning, 6:20-7:05 a.m.
Contact: Emily Pflaum (Emily_Pflaum@rdale.org)
Activity fee: yes, plus uniform cost

Extra-Curricular

The Cooper Fall play is an audition only ensemble production. Shows include scripted or original works that are dialogue only; this is usually not a musical. Cast sizes range from 15-25 actors. All students (grades 9-12) are eligible and welcome to audition. We also welcome students to take part in working backstage (building sets, backstage crew, lights, sound) these roles are filled by interest and experience only; no audition required.  

What day(s) and time does it take place: Monday-Friday 2:30-5:30. Saturdays (set building)
Contact: Gretchen Wurzer-Palm (Gretchen_Wurzer@rdale.org)
Activity fee:  Yes  

Extra-Curricular

The Cooper winter musical is a large scale musical production that includes lead characters and ensemble. This is an audition only production that utilizes actors, singers and dancers. Cast sizes range from 35-50 actors. All students (grades 9-12) are eligible and welcome to audition. We also welcome students to take part in working backstage (building sets, backstage crew, lights, sound) these roles are filled by interest and experience only; no audition required. The musical also uses student musicians as part of the pit orchestra (see Emily Pflaum’s email below)

What day(s) and time does it take place: Monday-Friday 2:30-5:30. Saturdays (set building)
Contact: Gretchen Wurzer-Palm (Gretchen_Wurzer@rdale.org), Jennifer Rowan (jennifer_rowan@rdale.org)  and Emily Pflaum (Emily_Pflaum@rdale.org)
Activity fee:  Yes  

Extra-Curricular

The Cooper Spring play is designed to expose theater students to some of the greatest works in theatre. Shows may include comedies or student written One Acts. The spring show typically houses the audience on stage, challenging actors to perform “in the round” in an intimate seating or in the Black Box theatre. Cast sizes range from 10-20 actors. All students (grades 9-12) are eligible and welcome to audition. We also welcome students to take part in working backstage (building sets, backstage crew, lights, sound) these roles are filled by interest and experience only; no audition required.  

What day(s) and time does it take place: Monday-Friday 2:30-5:00. Saturdays (set building)
Contact: Gretchen Wurzer-Palm (Gretchen_Wurzer@rdale.org)

Extra-Curricular

The tech crew builds and paints original sets and props for the productions in the theatre department. Students have the chance to learn carpentry, drafting, many different kinds of painting techniques, prop creation, theatrical lighting and sound, front of house production and stage management. No experience is required.

Tech crew runs all year, but full year participation is not required. If a student has a sport or another activity during the year it is still possible to do both. After weeks of building and preparation, the tech crew is the group of students who run the show. This includes everything from running lights and sound to being backstage doing scene changes and handling props, to managing the front of the house functions. This is a very fun laid back activity that is perfect for anyone with any interest in construction, art or technology. It is also common for students who are heavily involved to go on to study technical theatre in their college careers. Regardless of whether you continue in tech theatre, you will learn skills on tech crew that you will use for the rest of your life!

What day(s) and time does it take place: Flexible schedule. Some Saturdays.
Contact person and/or email: Mimmie Sjoberg (Mimmie_Sjoberg@rdale.org)
Activity fee: None

Extra-Curricular

Students can audition for the Competition One Act Play. This 35-minute piece is structured as an intensive, actor training experience that students bring to the Metro West One Act Competition and the Section 6AA One Act Competition at the end of January. The One Act may be a comedy or a drama. All students grades 9-12 are eligible and welcome to audition.

What day(s) and time does it take place: Monday-Friday. 4-7 p.m.
Contact person and/or email: TBA 
Activity fee: Yes

Extra-Curricular

The Cooper Improvisational Theater troupe is selected from students (grades 9-12) who audition in September of each school year. Both Long Form and Short Form Improv are performed at various times throughout the school year.

What day(s) and time does it take place:  At least two days per week
Contact: Gretchen Wurzer-Palm (Gretchen_Wurzer@rdale.org)
Activity fee: yes