Fine Arts

The Chandler Unified School District provides highly-qualified General Music instruction to all students in grades K-4 in all elementary schools. Students in grades 5 and 6 choose between General Music, Band or Orchestra. In addition, before and after school clubs are offered at many sites that include chorus, world drumming and others.

The General Music curriculum is aligned with the Arizona State Arts Standards and the National Arts Core Standards.

An appreciation of music is developed through demonstrations of music literacy, performance, musical expression, and music appreciation leading to the cultivation of the whole child. An education in music helps students gain powerful tools for understanding human experiences, both past and present. Students learn to respect different ways others have of thinking and expressing themselves. As competence in music and other academics reinforce one another, the joy of learning becomes real, tangible and powerful.

The Chandler Unified School District provides highly-qualified Band and Orchestra instruction to students beginning in 5th grade. Students in grades 5 and 6 choose between General Music, Band or Orchestra. Band, Orchestra and Choir are electives in Junior High and High School.

The Chandler band and orchestra and choir programs are some of the best in the state and have won numerous awards across the state and country.

The Performing Ensembles curriculum is aligned with the Arizona State Arts Standards and the National Arts Core Standards.

An appreciation of instrumental and choral music is developed through demonstrations of music literacy, performance, technical proficiency and musical expression, leading to the cultivation of the whole child. An education in instrumental and choral music helps students gain powerful tools for understanding human experiences, both past and present. Students learn to respect different ways others have of thinking, working and expressing themselves. Students learn to make decisions in situations where there are no standard answers. Through instrumental music, students stimulate their natural creativity and learn to develop it to meet the needs of our complex and competitive society. As competence in music and other academics reinforce one another, the joy of learning becomes real, tangible and powerful.

Music enhances the education of our children by helping them to make connections and broadening the depth with which they think and feel.  If we are to hope for a society of culturally literate people, music must be a vital part of our children's education.  ~Yo-Yo Ma 

The Chandler Unified School District provides courses in Harmonizing Instruments (Guitar) at the secondary level.  Courses offered include Beginning Guitar, Intermediate Guitar, and Guitar Ensemble.

The Harmonizing Instruments curriculum is aligned with the Arizona State Arts Standards and the National Arts Core Standards.

An appreciation of instrumental music is developed through demonstrations of music literacy, performance, technical proficiency and musical expression, leading to the cultivation of the whole child. An education in instrumental music helps students gain powerful tools for understanding human experiences, both past and present. Students learn to respect different ways others have of thinking, working and expressing themselves. Students learn to make decisions in situations where there are no standard answers. Through instrumental music, students stimulate their natural creativity and learn to develop it to meet the needs of our complex and competitive society. As competence in music and other academics reinforce one another, the joy of learning becomes real, tangible and powerful.

The Chandler School District believes the visual arts are a vital part of student’s educational experience. An appreciation of visual arts is developed through the exploration of the elements and principles of design, media, technical proficiency, and personal expression leading to the cultivation of the creative person as a whole. An education in the visual arts facilitates students’ understanding of human experiences, both past and present, resulting in an appreciation of various forms of thought and expression with respect of all cultures through self-expression. Through the visual arts program, students learn to recognize their natural creativity, increase their ability to communicate through visual language, and develop analytical skills through evaluation, problem solving, and critique. As a part of society within the present and future, through visual arts, students will make connections to other curricular areas and every day life.

The Chandler School District provides courses in dance and theatre at the secondary level.  Dance courses include Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Dance as well as the Kismet Dance Company at Basha High School. Theatre courses include Theatre Arts 1, 2, and 3 as well as Company/Performance Theatre and Stagecraft.  

The Chandler dance and theatre programs are some of the best in the state and have won numerous awards across the state and country.

The Dance and Theatre curriculums is aligned with the Arizona State Arts Standards and the National Arts Core Standards.

Dance and Theatre courses build confidence and self-presentation skills, are a medium for self-expression, and promote creativity. 

The Chandler School District provides courses in Music Theory and Composition at the secondary level. Courses offered include Introduction to Music Theory and AP Music Theory. 

The Music Theory and Composition curriculum is aligned with the Arizona State Arts Standards and the National Arts Core Standards. Learning music theory is an advantage not only for those that may be interested in majoring in music but also to students that are interested in music and have a special talent for music.  Learning music theory will let you develop a keen sense of musical awareness and enhance your creativity.         

The Music Technology curriculum is aligned with the Arizona State Arts Standards and the National Arts Core Standards. Learning about music technology involves creating, performing and responding to music using digital tools.  Using technology in our music classes in Chandler Unified School District empowers students to become music curators and practice creativity while enhancing technology skills which are increasingly needed in our global society.