Middle School Chorus

Middle School Chamber Choir
 

Middle School Chamber Choir provides an opportunity for students to engage in difficult repertoire, accelerated music theory, and engage in meaningful discussion about music. This class is composed of students who have a dedication and passion for music, as well as students who have prior music content knowledge and are looking for a challenge. Students in this course will also be encouraged and prepared to engage in the Junior District Choir auditions, available to 7th and 8th graders. 

Tone Chimes

Tone Chimes teaches students to work as a group to perform music using our hand-held tone chimes.

Ability to read music is helpful but not required. The class will have a mandatory performance at December's Lessons & Carols and may perform on other occasions as well. Tone Chimes produce music that is beautiful and ethereal. Experience with Tone Chimes is helpful if a student wants to join the new Handbell Choir when they reach upper school.

Upper School Chorus
 

Upper School Chorus is a half-credit course that provides girls with an interest in singing and performing an opportunity to develop their vocal skills and to increase their awareness of choral literature and performance practice.

The Chorus prepares a wide range of challenging repertoire in two, three or four part harmony, representative of all styles and periods, from Renaissance to contemporary, often unaccompanied. Students in this course often have input for the types of music they would like to explore for their performances. Vocal technique and principles of good singing are studied through the music prepared for performances. The chorus presents annual concerts twice yearly, and has been invited to sing at Mass and on special occasions. Singers are expected to participate in all performances, memorize concert repertoire, and acquire a working knowledge of basic rhythm, solfège, musical terminology and analysis through score study. Careful attention is given to the relationship between text and music. Occasional assessments are required to review course material or repertoire preparation.
 

Handbells
 

The members of the handbell choir focus on learning a variety of ringing techniques while building upon their pre-requisite musical literacy skills.

These pre-requisite skills include the ability to identify notes in both the treble and bass clefs, to execute simple rhythms accurately, as well as to understand and use basic music terminology. Each ringer will assume command of one unique and independent ringing position. In addition to mastering their individual parts, students will grow to appreciate the importance of their responsibilities as collaborative members of an ensemble. Rehearsal time will be spent preparing for either virtual or in-person performance opportunities, including Lessons & Carols in December and a spring concert. Participation in any and all performances is required. Enrollment in this class may be limited due to the number of handbells available.