Fifth Grade Band is a music course aimed at introducing students to the fundamentals of woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments, and providing them with the opportunity to express their creativity both as an individual and as a team. Students engage in a highly creative performing art that stimulates growth in areas of the human brain that are unique to music. Students also develop traits such as teamwork, responsibility, self-discipline, and dedication. The goal is to give all students a sense of accomplishment, pride, and respect as they develop musical and personal skills that will enrich their lives.

The Fifth Grade Rotational Exploration consists of Visual Art, General Music, Theater, and Small Group Lessons. The Small Group Lesson rotation allows students to dig deeper into the nuances of their particular instrument, and helps to strengthen crucial, instrument-specific fundamental skills taught in the full band class.

In Sixth Grade Band, students expand upon instrumental skills and techniques, dig deeper into the elements of music through more complex pieces, and build confidence in themselves as musicians. We also continue to build on social skills through leadership opportunities and working as a team. The goal is to give all students a sense of accomplishment, pride, and respect as they develop musical and personal skills that will enrich their lives.

The Sixth Grade Rotational Exploration consists of Visual Art, General Music, Theater, and Small Group Lessons. During the Small Group Lesson rotation, students continue refining and expanding their instrument-specific skills, and they are given more autonomy to explore individual interests that have to do with their instrument.

Seventh - Eighth Grade Band expands further the skills, concepts and techniques students acquired in previous years. The curriculum allows students to make more complex connections between themselves as musicians and their world through the various forms of music we perform. Students are able to deeply study a variety of musical genres, prepare solos, work in both full ensemble and chamber groups, and develop advanced techniques through extensive conditioning. In addition, a big focus of 8th Grade Band is to prepare students for Upper School. Previous band experience is required for both seventh and eighth grade bands.

Students work on proper vocal technique including tone production, breath support, posture, space, intonation, part independence, choral blend and diction. Students study note and rhythm reading, rhythm and pitch discrimination, expression and music literacy. Students explore choral repertoire of many styles, time periods, countries, regions and languages as well as develop their understanding of performance practice and proper rehearsal and concert etiquette. There are 3-4 concerts per year, on and off campus.

Students continue their good work and build on what they learned in fifth and sixth grades. The music becomes more complex, including singing in three parts.  There are two on-campus concerts during the school year and occasionally other opportunities to sing as well.  Music includes traditional choral music, a cappella songs, and pop songs.  Students continue the study of music theory to enhance their singing and musicianship.

Fifth Grade String Orchestra is an introductory music course designed to expose students to the fundamental elements of string instruments and provide them with the basis to further explore their creativity and potential. Students will examine all elements of music as well as learn skills and fundamentals particular to string instruments. Fifth grade string students explore the origins and evolution of all genres of music as well as the classical roots from which they were derived. There are two formal performances required for the class.

Sixth Grade String Orchestra is a continuation of the Fifth Grade Orchestra course. Students will delve deeper in to the fundamental elements of music and take them to the next level. They will expand upon beginner techniques in more complex pieces and learn leadership skills. We continue to build on skills that teach students how to observe, critique and analyze string performances. There are two formal performances required for the class.

The Seventh - Eighth Grade String Orchestra class continues to expand on the skills students learned in the fifth and sixth grade programs. The curriculum will allow students to increase their understanding, creativity, and performance skills. In addition, students will delve more deeply into the various genres of music. Seventh grade musicians’ benefit from extensive technique conditioning and technical progressions designed to improve their performance quality.  The students work on conducting, music analysis, solos, and fundamental skills. Students also have the opportunity to explore their own creativity through improvisation and musical interpretation. Students learn about ways to connect with our world through music and tell a story through sound.  Previous string instrument experience is required, and the students will perform regularly.

This ensemble will explore modern jazz in the small combo format. We will do numerous performances throughout the year. Daily classes will focus heavily on jazz theory and improvisation. Participation in this class is granted by audition only. Students wishing to participate in this class must have had at least one year of Jazz 1 prior to registration. This course may be repeated.

Students sing a wide variety of literature that has been composed for mixed choirs. Students learn techniques related to healthful and appropriate vocal production, body position, breathing, vowel shape and modification, and singing within an ensemble. While daily activities focus on preparation for performances, the class also explores aspects of music theory, music history, listening to music, ear training, part recognition and part singing. Members are expected to perform in several concerts each year as they constitute a large portion of each singer's grade. This course may be repeated.

This performing group is made up of any combination of rhythm section, winds, strings, vocalists, or Hip-Hip MC’s. We will study and perform music from any sub-genre that falls under the American Pop umbrella of Rock, R&B, and Rap. The class will focus on ear training and transcribing techniques from existing recordings, as well as rehearsing repertoire for future performances. We will lean heavily into multi-track live and asynchronous recording via Soundtrap to produce a body of recorded product during the course of the year.

In this course, students will learn the language and mechanics of music (melody, harmony, rhythm, form) through composition utilizing some of the latest in music technology. In collaborative work with their fellow classmates, the students will learn to compose original music as well as arrange existing tunes. They will learn about many of the instruments commonly used in contemporary recording as well as the basics of multi-track recording. Interwoven will be excursions in the fundamentals of music theory and the foundation we stand on through examination of contemporary music history. The course is designed for the music novice. Prior experience in music is a benefit, but is in no way a prerequisite.

Students who wish to advance beyond Music Technology may enroll in subsequent years in Music Technology II, the content of which will be determined by the Music Technology teacher.

This course accommodates the experienced instrumentalist who wants to explore performing classical music in a smaller setting. The class includes various quartets/quintets of strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Students practice and perform within these smaller groups, but also work collectively as a Chamber Orchestra to explore music for larger groups. Performance opportunities for the different chamber ensembles will be required throughout the school year. This course may be repeated.

Advanced String Methods is a fast-paced honors music course for students with previous string orchestra experience. In this class, students will play traditional orchestral repertoire while being exposed to a wide variety of musical genres. The expectation will be for students to spend time outside of class preparing music and performing in small and large groups. While during class students will investigate music history, music theory, and advanced string instrument techniques.

This class builds on the foundation established in middle school band. Students will perform in ensemble settings ranging from Concert Band, to Big Band, to small classical Chamber Ensembles. Regular individual practice, as well as the ability to self-govern and extensively collaborate in rehearsals are essential ingredients for success in this course. Students who have not had at least two years of middle school band experience will need to audition for the directors prior to registration.

Varsity Band is an advanced ensemble that meets in the morning before school once a week and is open to any student in sixth through twelfth grade. Middle and upper school students get the opportunity to play together in a way that is not available during the school day. Upper schoolers build leadership and mentorship skills, while middle schoolers are provided an extra challenge and build relationships with those in other grade levels. The ensemble plays a variety of music, most of which offers flexible instrumentation and a choice of difficulty level.

Varsity Chorus is an auditioned group for Upper School singers.  They rehearse two-three times per week, either before school or during a club time. The group performs at concerts on and off campus and sing a variety of genres and styles.

Varsity Orchestra is a competitive ensemble.  Students in Middle and Upper School audition for their seats in the orchestra and have to work to maintain them.  It is a wonderful opportunity for students regardless of age and ability to come together to experience higher levels of music and teamwork.  We meet before school once a week to prepare fun and challenging music, and we perform two concerts each year.