Music

UPPER SCHOOL ORCHESTRA (full year) The Orchestra is open to string players who have developed necessary technical and sight-reading skills. The students perform repertoire that is selected from a variety of periods and styles. The orchestra meets four times a week, and performs in two orchestra concerts during the school year.

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (full year) Chamber Orchestra is open to students who play a string instrument at an advanced level. A variety of Chamber and Orchestral music will be studied and performed, ranging from the Renaissance and Baroque period to the Twenty-First century. The orchestra meets three times per week.

CONCERT BAND (full year) Concert Band is open to any student who plays a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Guitar and bass are not suitable for this ensemble. The ensemble meets four times per week. The repertoire will consist of traditional concert band literature.

BRASS ENSEMBLE (full year) Brass Ensemble consists of French horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and tuba. This ensemble will explore the unique sounds of the brass family. There will be a variety of music studied and performed, ranging from classical to modern. Students will learn how to work within a smaller ensemble. This ensemble meets three times a week. Prerequisite: Approval of the instructor; student must demonstrate a high interest and basic proficiency on their instrument.

SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE (full year) Saxophone Ensemble is open to students who presently play soprano, alto, tenor, or baritone saxophone. This course is performance based. Repertoire includes classical, jazz, and contemporary styles. Basic music theory and the history of wind instruments is included in this curriculum. This ensemble meets three times a week.

MENS AND WOMENS MIXED CHOIR (full year) This ensemble is for students who enjoy singing and can match pitch. The students learn and perform vocal music of many styles and periods. They learn and apply vocal technique to performance in order to develop tone quality and tonal memory. This ensemble meets four days a week during 9th period and performs in two concerts throughout the school year.

MADRIGALS ENSEMBLE (full year) Madrigals is open through audition ONLY to students who sing at an advanced level. This group performs in two concerts during the school year as well as multiple events outside the school. The students perform repertoire that is selected from a variety of periods and styles. This ensemble meets three days a week during the 8-period rotation. Prerequisite: Approval of the instructor through audition ONLY and enrollment in an additional musical ensemble.

MUSIC THEORY (full year) Expanding upon elements of music-reading and writing first encountered in performance ensembles (Band, Choir and Orchestra), Music Theory will focus on strengthening the student’s grasp of music notation. During the course, students will systematically work through writing basic intervals, scales, chords and harmony will also working to develop an understanding of ear-training, melodic dictation and composition.

Jazz Band is comprised of upper school students who have been playing for a minimum of three years. The ensemble meets once a week before school. Students are expected to learn their music via home practice.