Music Program Overview
	Welcome to the Saint Andrew's Episcopal School music web page for grades five through eight.  There are many opportunities in the music curriculum to explore and experience the world of music through the study of and participation in the General Music Core Curriculum (Chromatic Xylophone and Percussion based program), Choral Music (Concert Choir, Jazz-Pop Ensemble, Small Ensembles), and Instrumental Music (Jazz Band, Orchestra Pit, Concert Band, Beginning Band, Chapel Ensemble, Rock Band, Percussion Ensemble, Small Ensembles, and String Orchestra). General Music Core Curriculum Students are provided the unique opportunity of enjoying music through interactive learning as they develop their skills at playing several different instruments, reproducing/recording/performing popular cover tunes, singing songs of various genres, studying music theory and history, practicing music composition, perfecting their soloing abilities, and participating in small and large ensembles. By utilizing teaching methods that support the importance of approaching the pupils “where they are” developmentally, emotionally, intellectually, and musically, we are better able to inspire our students to embrace, commit to, and love the discipline and creative joys of Music.   Comprehensive Activities and Skills Some of the activities, musical skills, and fundamental and advanced learning that are experienced in the 2011-2012 music classes are as follows: Xylophone and Percussion instrument instruction Drum set, Auxiliary percussion, and Drum circle instruction Fundamental Music Theory including the study of scales, arpeggios, chordal structures, melodic and harmonic movement, form and analysis, and sight reading Ukulele instruction  Wind and String instrument instruction Body Percussion and Dance instruction Individual opportunities (guitar, wind instrument, string instrument, percussion, vocal, and solo work) Singing several genres of music Music History and chronology Advanced choral techniques & skills with an emphasis on performance, leadership, musical proficiency, and teamwork Leading Worship and Chapel services Improvisation and Composition Solo and Ensemble work Preparation for various performances Acoustic and Electronic Music composition including the use of Garage Band Team building games and activities that emphasize leadership and participation Individualized Curriculum The General Music curriculum is set up in a way that allows students to individually explore various facets and elements of music through the study of an instrument of their choice in accordance with their study of chromatic Xylophones and percussion instruments. As students establish a high enough proficiency on a given instrument, they can be incorporated into the daily class routine of playing fundamentals and specific repertoire in a way that is comprehensive, team building, and conducive to higher order learning. It is imperative for the student to be self motivated and driven to learn and develop on the instrument in order for this process to be successful. The most productive way to perpetuate this development is by committing to the appropriate after school program, private tutelage, or both. Specific and individualized musical parts are developed, written, transposed, and composed according to the experience level, interest, and proficiency of the student. Popular Covers Students in the 6th through 8th grades are encouraged to develop their higher order thinking and listening skills through the process of developing, recording, and performing popular songs, tunes, and compositions of their choice. The pupils are separated into small ensembles where they are charged with the task of recreating their own version of a popular tune using chromatic xylophones, various available instruments, written literature, YouTube tutorials, internet learning tools and websites, cooperative learning, Garageband, and classroom study. Performance Opportunities Preparing the students to perform the repertoire that they learn and develop is a significant focus in Music class. Each year the pupils prepare for three major concerts; Grandparents and Special Friends Day, Lessons and Carols Christmas Ceremony, and the 5th-8th Grade Spring Concert. In these concerts the students are featured on a large stage with professionally run sound as they perform several genres of vocal and instrumental music for their peers, parents, teachers, and friends. Each concert has proven to be a big event and are performed and prepared for with sense of excitement, respect, professionalism, fun, and musical proficiency. There are also several smaller venue performance opportunities throughout the year such as Back to School Nights, Admission Open House events, PAB concerts, ECW concerts, Chapel services, and various impromptu mini-concerts on and off campus. Choral Music Saint Andrew’s has developed an award winning choral program that is educationally rewarding, fundamentally sound, and musically exciting. All Saint Andrew’s students are welcomed and encouraged to participate in the choir program as they learn about and experience the fundamental and advanced skills and craft of choral singing. Concert Choir The Concert Choir meets every Monday and Friday Morning from 7:00-8:00 a.m. The students study, rehearse, and perform several genres and styles of Western choral music from various time periods including Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th Century, Broadway, Jazz Standards, Gospel, Folk, and liturgical music. The Concert Choir is accompanied by the Jazz Band and incorporates exciting choral movements and several styles of dance in their musical performances. Each year the students in the Concert Choir attend the Heritage Festival at Disneyland in Anaheim, California as they compete against more than 30 high and middle schools from around the nation. In the last 4 years, the Concert Choir has ranked in the top percentile of all choirs in the United States and have taken 1st place overall with a 98% ranking 2 out of the 4 years. Jazz-Pop Ensemble The Jazz-Pop Ensemble is an advanced group of 12 to 15 singers who have taken and extra interest by making a strong commitment to choral, solo, and small ensemble singing. The repertoire that is chosen for the Jazz-Pop Ensemble consists of intricate arrangements of 4 to 8 vocal parts, advanced rhythms, tricky meters, complicated harmonies, and exciting full band accompaniments. This group also ranks in the top percentile in the nation and meets on Mondays after school and during various lunch breaks throughout the week. Chapel Ensemble The Chapel Ensemble is open to all pupils in the community who are interested in serving the community by leading the hymns and congregational songs, providing solo and small ensemble music, and perpetuating the school pillars of character development during the weekly chapel services and special church events. This group is encouraged to sing profound, reflective, and musically rich arrangements of liturgical music from all faiths and denominations as they exercise their leadership skills, musicality, and teamwork. Instrumental Music The Instrumental Music program at Saint Andrew’s is available to students in the 5th through 8th grades who have an interest in furthering their ability at playing an instrument of their choice as they broaden their understanding of music as a whole and focus their energies into becoming proficient musicians. Jazz Band Jazz Band is an advanced program for students who have an interest in studying and performing several styles within the Jazz idiom. Students become engaged in such practical skills as sight-reading, improvisation, critical listening, chord and harmony analysis, identifying keys, scales, modes, and advanced patterns, as well as conducting, band leading, and composition. The pupils play a varied repertoire including Swing, Latin Jazz, Gospel and Blues, Motown, and Rock/Pop. The Jazz Band performs in all of the large school wide concerts, several smaller venues on and off campus throughout the year, and will be performing in this year’s Heritage Festival at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The Jazz Band meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school from 3:05-4:15 p.m. Students in Jazz Band are strongly encourages to take individual lessons from a private teacher to supplement and support what is learned during class. Beginning and Intermediate Concert Band Concert Band is a program that encourages and provides the opportunity for young and less experienced musicians to develop and rehearse the fundamental and intermediate skills of playing a wind instrument. The students work out of the Standard of Excellence -- Concert Band Series publication as they work to develop proper embouchure, posture, breath control, fingering, and the skills that are necessary to play music in a concert band. Students are provided the opportunity to hone their skills at playing solos, assessing themselves critically, and working to develop as an ensemble. Because this group consists of pupils with various levels of experience, they play and rehearse both as a larger ensemble and as two separate groups in an effort to provide the right amount of support and opportunity for growth. Students in Concert Band are strongly encouraged to take individual lessons from a private teacher to supplement and support what is learned during class. Rock Band Students in Rock Band are provided the opportunity to learn, develop, rehearse, and improve their skills at forming, practicing, and performing as a band in the Rock idiom. Students are taught and encouraged to utilize YouTube tutorials, internet websites, written TAB charts, lead sheets, written rhythms, cooperative learning, iTunes, and established recordings to learn, study, and perfect the craft of playing in a Rock Band. Students who participate in the Rock Band program perform in all of the large all school concerts and in various smaller venues on and off campus throughout the year. Rock Band meets on Fridays after school from 3:05-4:05 p.m. Students in Rock Band are strongly encouraged to take individual lessons from a private teacher to supplement and support what is learned during class. The Before/After School Programs are as follows: Concert Choir – Mondays and Fridays  7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Jazz/Pop Choir – Mondays 3:05 - 4:15 p.m. and during some lunch periods Chapel Ensemble – Mondays  3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Jazz Band – Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:05 – 4:15 p.m.    Concert Band  --  Wednesdays  3:00 – 4:15 p.m. Rock Band – Fridays 3:05 – 4:10 p.m.