How to Build Music Classes into your High School Plan

Many students think that they don’t have enough room in their schedule to take band/orchestra with all of the courses required for graduation. The truth is, you have more than enough room to take band/orchestra, your required courses, and courses you want to take just for fun. See the suggested course schedules to see how you can fit band/orchestra into your schedule.

Commonly Asked Questions about Band/Orchestra

• Can I take Band/Orchestra every year and still have enough credits to graduate?
  • Yes! You have plenty of room to take music classes and still be able to complete your graduation requirements.
• Does Band/Orchestra count towards my graduation requirements?
  • Yes! Band/Orchestra counts towards your art credit and elective credit. You need 1.5 art credits to graduate and 8.0 elective credits. Once you complete your 1.5 art credits, the rest of your music classes will count towards your elective credit.
• If I take Marching Band will that count for my PE credit?
  • Yes! Marching Band will count towards your 0.50 ELECTIVE PE CREDIT. Do not get this confused with the 0.50 Fitness for Life credit, which it does NOT count towards. You are still required to complete Fitness for Life even if you take Marching Band.
• Do I get credit for taking Marching Band after school or BHS orchestra before school?
  • Yes! Both classes will give you art credit or elective credit.
• Can I take two Band/Orchestra classes?
  • Yes! Keep in mind that this may cause for some creative schedule making. You might have to move around your schedule and push some of your required courses until your junior or senior year. Check the suggested course schedule to see how you can fit two music classes in your schedule. If you have questions about fitting everything in, talk to your counselor. If it is important to you to fit Band/Orchestra into your schedule, the counselors will work with you to help make that happen.
• I need to take a foreign language class so I can meet the admission requirements for the U of U, or to be eligible for the Regents’ Scholarship. I am worried that I don’t have room for music and a foreign language. Can I take both?
  • Yes! There is room in your schedule to take both. However, you will need to do some careful planning to make both classes fit. Remember, foreign language will count towards your elective credits but is not required for graduation. See the suggested course schedule to see how you can fit both of these classes into your schedule.

Suggestions to help fit Band/Orchestra into your Schedule

• Take early morning seminary
• Take a Digital Studies class in 11th or 12th grade instead of 10th grade or arrange your schedule to take a Digital Studies class in 9th grade
• Take heath in 11th or 12th grade instead of 10th
• Take Financial Literacy in 12th grade instead of 11th grade
• Take Driver’s Education during the summer
• If you are set on taking 2 years of a foreign language, wait until your junior or senior year to do so
• Avoid becoming a teacher’s aide or office aide
• Instead of taking additional PE classes, use Marching Band to count towards your elective PE credit
• Instead of taking additional art classes, use Band/Orchestra to count towards your art credit
• Take some of your courses during the summer online through Utah Students Connect. Utah Students Connect offers Health, Computer Tech, Financial Lit and Fitness for Life. See your counselor for more information or to sign up for the summer courses
• Take JATC courses in the afternoon rather than in the morning. This will allow you not to miss out on the main music classes at Bingham
• If you have questions or concerns about to trying to fit Band/Orchestra into your schedule talk to Mr. Graber, Mr. Thompson or your counselor. We will be happy to help you arrange a schedule that fits your musical needs.