Ensemble DescriptionsAn overview of class requirements.
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Band7th Grade Band
8th Grade Band High School Band
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Orchestra7th Grade Orchestra
8th Grade Orchestra High School String Orchestra High School Full Orchestra |
Vocal7th Grade Choir
8th Grade Choir High School Choir High School Women's Chorus High School Chorale |
Band Seventh and Eighth Grade
These ensembles consist of seventh and eighth grade students who have participated in band in fifth and sixth grades. The student will have completed the first method book and be working in and complete the second and ensemble method books. Students will be expected to learn all major scales by the end of 8th grade. Students are expected to show progress through playing tests and written reflections.. The Concert Band will perform at a collegiate clinic, the Christmas Collage Concert, the Winter Concert, the Spring Concert, and possibly more concerts and rehearsals each year. The Concert Band will also participate in the Memorial Day Parade. Auditions for chair placement will be held within the first several months of school. Students are encouraged, but not required, to participate in additional opportunities provided. These include All State Band, the MSBOA District VI Middle School Honors Band, and Solo and Ensemble Festival.
Band High School: Marching, Pep, Concert
The Purple Pride Marching Band is the first component of the high school band class. Concert Band is the second component of the band class. Students must participate in the PPMB in order to be a member of the Concert Band and vice versa. This ensemble consists of ninth through twelfth grade students enrolled in band or orchestra. Students must be able to demonstrate mastery of the Book I and II method books and Book I and II theory books, or their equivalent. Students must demonstrate the ability to pass and review all major and minor scales, the chromatic scale and any theory or method books assigned throughout the year. The PPMB performs at all home football games, the Purple Pride Spectacular, and various community performances and school assemblies. Each year, members of this ensemble must successfully pass both written and playing exams. Drum Majors and Section Leaders are student leadership roles assigned based on application and audition processes. The Director reserves the right to refuse or revise leadership roles at any time. The Concert Band performs at the Collage Concert, Winter Concert, Spring Concert, Pep Band, and any additional performance opportunities. Chair placements will be determined through auditions. Auditions, a selection process, or sign ups will also be held for Full Orchestra, Madrigal Brass, the Variety Show, Pit Orchestra, etc. Principal Players are selected by the director through auditions according to their playing ability. They are at all times required to set an example for the rest of their section. The Director reserves the right to reassign chairs at any time.
Band Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Band is an advanced ensemble offered to ninth through twelfth grade students enrolled in Band or Orchestra. Exceptions may be made for those with advanced experience on instruments not found in band or orchestra, which may include piano, guitar, or drum set. Membership is selected through competitive auditions. Representation of a true jazz ensemble includes: alto, tenor and baritone saxophone (occasionally the soprano), trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, string bass, drum set and auxiliary percussion. Other instruments may be featured in a jazz ensemble at times, depending on what specific pieces may call for. Jazz band is a zero hour course and performs at concerts, festivals, and community functions.
Orchestra Seventh and Eighth Grade
These ensembles consist of seventh and eighth grade students who have participated in orchestra in previous years. Students will be expected to learn all major scales up to 4 sharps and flats in one octave and two octaves for C, G, and D major by the end of the 8th grade year. Students are expected to show progress through playing tests and written practice reflections. The Orchestra will perform at the Collage Concert, Winter Concert, and Spring Concert Additional concerts and rehearsals may be on the schedule each year, depending on the available opportunities. Auditions for chair placement will be held within the first several months of school. Students are encouraged, but not required, to participate in additional opportunities provided. These include the Mid-level String Clinic, Lake Michigan Youth Orchestra, and Solo and Ensemble Festivals.
Orchestra String
The High School String Orchestra consists of all string students in grades 9 - 12 who have played throughout the middle school years. Students continue to develop techniques learned in middle school while working on advancing techniques and literature. Students will have the opportunity to explore music of different styles and from different periods of music history. The String Orchestra performs several times throughout the school year at evening concerts and daytime clinics or tours. A full calendar is provided in this handbook. Beginning in January each year, students will meet once/week with members of the brass, woodwind, and percussion sections to form a full orchestra.
Orchestra Full
The High School Full Orchestra consists of all string students in grades 9 - 12, plus interested and advancing brass, woodwind, and percussion students from the South haven Concert Band. The Full Orchestra meets once/week beginning in January during the school day and will perform 1 or 2 concerts each year. Students will have the opportunity to further expand their repertoire by working as a full orchestra.
Vocal Seventh and Eighth Grade Choir
This group consists of seventh and eighth grade students who are enrolled in choir as a year-long course. Seventh and eighth grade students will continue their study in vocal technique, music theory, sight-singing skills, and will perform an assortment of diverse quality choral literature. This choir will perform in four major concerts; a Fall Concert, the Collage Concert, Winter Concert in February, and a Spring Concert in May. The choir will also perform at District Choral Festival in March. Additional performance opportunities (State Honors Choir, Solo & Ensemble) are available to interested students.
Vocal High School Choir
This is an ensemble of mixed voices. Women are auditioned for this choir, and men must undergo a voice placement process. Interested singers can contact Ms. Hillyard for information on joining this choir. Fundamentals of music literacy and ensemble singing are developed and honed as part of this ensemble. Choir members are expected to participate in all school performances as well as Festivals and events held by MSVMA or as designated by the director. Students must show dedication to growth, teamwork and excellence.
Vocal Women's Chorus
This choir is designed as a beginning choir geared towards incoming freshman women as well as other interested singers. There is no audition required. Students will develop the fundamentals of music literacy and ensemble singing. Members of this choir perform in school performances as well as participate in events through the Michigan School Vocal Music Association. Students must be dedicated to growth, teamwork and excellence.
Vocal Chorale
This class is an auditioned ensemble and meets during “0” hour. It is open to students already enrolled in Choir or Women’s Chorus and is joined through audition only. Students unable to enroll in one of the other choirs should consult the director about the possibility of auditioning for Chorale. It is a competitive and dedicated ensemble that performs various concerts throughout the community, as well as MSVMA events throughout the state. This ensemble is dedicated to the highest expectations in performance and practice and requires a great deal of dedication from each student.
Challenges Instrumental EnsemblesStudents are not required to challenge for a higher chair position in their section. However, if a student chooses to challenge another chair position, the student sitting in that position cannot refuse. Students may only challenge one chair position higher at a time. Decisions will be made on playing ability alone. Both students must sign challenge forms. The director will assign a time and a day for each challenge. Students will have approximately one week to prepare for the challenge. NO challenges will take place two weeks before any performance.
Sacred Music All EnsemblesSacred music may be performed throughout the duration of the school year. Omitting sacred music from the curriculum would create an incomplete musical experience. Teaching of such music is historically significant and will be neutrally presented with no influence of spiritual beliefs.
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