Middle School Band is open to students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 who play band instruments. This ensemble performs a standard repertoire for Middle School wind/band ensembles. Students interested in performing in an Upper School instrumental ensemble are strongly encouraged to select this course.

This ensemble is for tenor, baritone, and cambiata (changing voices) students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 who enjoy singing and would like to develop their vocal and musical ability. Grades 6 and 7 are scheduled for a trimester of regular classes. All forms rehearse together on Friday afternoons throughout the year. Students who anticipate auditioning for Buttondowns in the Upper School are strongly encouraged to select this ensemble.

This ensemble is for soprano and alto students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 who enjoy singing and would like to develop their vocal and musical ability. Grades 6 and 7 are scheduled for a trimester of regular classes. All forms rehearse together on Friday afternoons throughout the year. Students who anticipate auditioning for Balladeers in the Upper School are strongly encouraged to select this ensemble.

Middle School String Orchestra is for string players in Grades 6, 7, and 8. All forms rehearse together on Friday afternoons throughout the year. Students who anticipate participating in the string orchestra in the Upper School are strongly encouraged to select this ensemble

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.

The Grade 8 Jazz Band provides the opportunity for students to learn and perform in a jazz ensemble setting. Students will learn to play in three major stylistic genres: Swing, Ballads, and Latin/Afro-Cuban. Members are also introduced to jazz improvisation and chord/scale relationships. Focus is on development of the “Swing” style of jazz and the required rhythmic and melodic phrasing to play in that style. Listening is a key component to assimilating the jazz style and is encouraged by hearing recordings of jazz masters in class and providing information for listening to jazz outside of the classroom.

In this course, students will have the opportunity to develop their singing voices, musicianship, and performing skills. They will learn challenging music literature from classical and traditional to musical theatre and pop a cappella. Students will become stronger sight-readers, develop their listening skills, learn how to work in small groups, and they may have the opportunity to write music or create their own arrangements. Students will develop their vocal technique through both one-on-one instruction with the teacher and in group warm-ups. The singers will learn to interact with each other as they communicate the meaning of the music they are singing, and they will learn to do so in a way that is appropriate for different styles of music. In addition to learning music as a class, students will have the opportunity to perform and practice in small groups, perform for the class, and learn how to give and receive critique and feedback. Students who hope to continue singing in the Upper School, whether in Balladeers, Buttondowns, Glee Club, or the musical performances are encouraged to sign up for this elective.