Music

Open to all middle school students who have a minimum of 2 years instruction. Weekly small group pull-out sessions supplement the full orchestra rehearsals. Two formal concerts are presented as well as additional performances in other community events.

Open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who have taken a minimum of one year of instruction on their instrument. In addition to 2 formal concerts per year, the Concert Band performs at other local community events.

Students in grades 6-8 have an opportunity to join a choir ensemble. This group performs multiple times each year, showcasing their talents at various events including two formal concerts. Students will improve their vocal skills, learn to harmonize, and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow musicians. 

Concert Band is an instrumental ensemble including the woodwinds, brass and percussion families. It is geared towards those students who have a minimum two-year history of playing and reading music. Membership is based on consistent practice, attitude of service, and commitment to pursue excellence. This year-long course will challenge you as a student and a musician. Students are expected to participate in school concerts where attendance is mandatory, and students should expect the possibility of community events as well. Concert Band meets during SOAR 4 days per week. Once the fine arts credit requirements have been met, Concert Band becomes a non-credit elective.

Concert Choir is a full year non-auditioned ensemble that meets during SOAR 4 days per week. Concert Choir is a larger ensemble for freshmen through seniors. This course may be repeated in order to fulfill the fine arts requirement. Concert Choir studies, rehearses, and performs choral music ranging from Medieval Chant to music written during the 21st century. Concert Choir focuses much of its study, however, to more contemporary vocal literature from a variety of genres. This course will challenge you as a student and a musician. Students are expected to participate in school concerts, a spring field trip, and a limited number of community events. This course will challenge you as a student and a musician. Students are expected to participate in school concerts where attendance is mandatory, and students should expect the possibility of community events as well. Once the fine arts credit requirements have been met, Concert Choir becomes a non-credit elective.

Eastern Christian Honors Choir is a select, audition-based vocal ensemble of about 16 students in grades 10-12. ECHC members must participate in Concert Choir for the year. ECHC meets every other day for 1 block throughout the year. ECHC seeks to nurture and train students in the art and practice of small ensemble singing. As this is an advanced course, students must have basic music theory knowledge in order to participate with the group’s challenging music and studies. Students will continue to grow in their ability to read music and in ear training as well. The group focuses on proper vocal technique, breadth control, syncopation, intonation and rhythm for dynamic small group ensemble singing. Students will also study music in other languages, a capella pieces, Christian, contemporary, classical music and Broadway show tunes. Students are evaluated based on their active participation in class and at performances, rehearsal etiquette, and their ability to read, write and evaluate music. Students learn music theory and write their own original song. ECHC is an involved and active ensemble in the community. In addition to 2 formal concerts with the school, the group performs at several other venues throughout the year both in and out of school; this includes some nights, weekends and Sunday services. Membership requires a time investment and commitment to participate in the performances. Participation in this group is a serious commitment and an extremely rewarding one, filled with opportunity, laughter and lots of harmony!

This is a year-long elective which concentrates on music in the string literature (violin, viola, cello, bass) from baroque to present. Opportunity is provided for performance outside of school and for participation in Regional and All State Orchestra auditions. This course will challenge you as a student and a musician. Students are expected to participate in school concerts where attendance is mandatory, and students should expect the possibility of community events as well. Orchestra meets during SOAR 4 days per week. Once the fine arts credit requirements have been met, Orchestra becomes a non-credit elective.