Music Ensembles provide students with the opportunity to prepare music for performances in a variety of venues. Students may sing or play musical instruments at age- and skill-appropriate levels.

The teamwork experience is crystallized in the Music Ensemble. Learning to work together toward specific student-driven performance goals is key to the Ensembles’ value and success.

Music Ensembles provide the basis for seasonal school wide festivals and concerts. They allow students specifically interested in music performance the opportunity to hone their musical and performance skills.

For students in Grades Six, Seven, and Eight playing band instruments. Performance of standard repertoire for Middle School wind/band ensembles.

For Tenor/Baritone students in grades six, seven and eight desiring performance repertoire that focuses on the changing male voice. Grades six and seven are scheduled for a trimester of regular classes. Grade eight rehearses with all forms on Friday afternoons throughout the year.

For girls in grades six, seven and eight desiring performance repertoire that focuses on developing the treble voice. Grades six and seven are scheduled for a trimester of regular classes. Grade eight rehearses with all forms on Friday afternoons throughout the year.

For string players in Grades Six, Seven, and Eight. Performance of standard repertoire for Middle School string ensembles. The full group rehearses one period per week.

Handbell Choir is a class for students of all music abilities, from beginner to experienced. Students do not need any experience playing the handbells to participate in the class. The course will begin with basic music theory and music fundamentals after which everyone will be introduced to the handbells and the music for the concert. As with a successful team sport, each individual member is an integral part of the whole. Players will develop and use, simultaneously, their auditory, visual, and sensory skills as their individual bells fit into the whole. What begins as a group of relative beginners ends with an advanced musical performance at the Winter Festival, the Spring Concert, or a morning meeting. Handbell Choir is truly the ultimate form of teamwork. Students who take this course satisfy their music requirement and can choose to be exempt from Thursday music ensemble. Minimum class roster is 6 and maximum is 12.

Students enrolled in the percussion ensemble will get to play anything they can strike, scrape, or slap. Basic to intermediate rhythmic notation is taught at the beginning of the trimester as well as how to construct several basic hand held percussion instruments. Students work together as a large ensemble as well as in smaller groups for collaborations and concerts with the Chorus, Band, and String Orchestra. Mastering proper technique on all instruments will be strongly stressed. Students will get to play many percussion instruments, including drum-set, congas, bongos, marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel, triangle, finger cymbals, tambourine, etc. Students get the chance to immerse themselves in and perform many different genres of music including jazz-fusion, rock, Latin, and classical.