Here is our Radio Rhythms video about our Webber Jazz Ensemble!
Jazz Winds:
Open to all 2nd and 3rd year flute, oboe, clarinet, all saxophones, bassoon, and bass clarinet players. Trap, bass, piano, and guitar players also accepted by audition. Must also be enrolled in concert or symphonic band class. A variety of jazz literature is explored, including (but not limited to) ragtime, blues, swing, contemporary, pop, and spirituals. Student must obtain instructor approval for entry into class. Meets every other day during zero hour. Concerts are combined with regularly scheduled band performances, two special jazz events, and also may include festival and studio sessions during the school day. Attendance at all concerts is mandatory.
Jazz Band:
Open to 2nd and 3rd year traditional jazz instrument players by audition only. Students must also be enrolled in concert or symphonic band class. Instruments include all saxophones, trumpets, trombones/baritones, electric guitar and electric bass, trap/ percussion, and piano. A variety of jazz literature is explored, including (but not limited to) ragtime, blues, swing, contemporary, pop, Latin jazz, rock, and spirituals. Meets every other day during zero hour. Concerts are combined with regularly scheduled band performances, two special jazz events, and also may include festival and studio sessions during the school day. Attendance at all concerts is mandatory.
Middle School Beginning Band (6th Grade):
Beginning Band is designed for teaching basic skills to beginning Wind, Brass and Percussion players. Tone, technical facility, music terminology and music reading are stressed through a variety of music literature. Your child is encouraged to attend the PSD Summer Music Program. If the student is not able to attend the Summer Band Program, he/she should contact the instructor at the middle school they will attend. Attendance at performances is required as a part of the student’s grade. (Instruments include flute, clarinet, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion (drum and bells)). Oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet and saxophone are welcome, and all require a student to begin on clarinet. ***
Concert Band (7th Grade):
Emphasizes fundamentals such as scales, chords, and tone production. A large quantity of band literature of varying styles and difficulty is studied. Attendance at school concerts is required as part of students’ grade. This is an intermediate level course. Enrollment in this class is by instructor approval or upon successful completion of beginning band.
Symphonic Band (8th Grade):
A continuation of music fundamentals taught at the beginning and intermediate levels. Advanced playing techniques are developed through further study of ensemble balance, student leadership, chamber playing, intonation, and a wide variety of concert repertoire in rehearsal and performances. Performances include elementary school tour and possible festivals during the school day. Participation in Symphonic Band is a pre-requisite for (but does not obligate students to) high school band. Attendance at performances is required. Pre-requisite: Concert Band or instructor approval after audition and interview.
Jazz Orchestra
Open to 2nd and 3rd year violin, viola, cello, and string bass players by audition only. Trap/percussion and piano players also accepted by audition. Students must also be enrolled in concert orchestra or symphony orchestra class. A variety of jazz literature is explored including (but not limited to) ragtime blues swing contemporary pop Latin jazz rock and spirituals. Attendance at all concerts is mandatory.
Middle School Beginning Orchestra 6
Beginning Orchestra is designed for teaching basic skills to beginning string players. Instrumental technique, music terminology and music reading are stressed through a variety of songs and music literature. Your child is encouraged to attend the PSD Summer Music Program. If student is not able to attend the Summer Music Program, he/she should contact the instructor at the middle school they will attend. Attendance at performances is required as a part of the student’s grade. (Instruments include violin, viola, cello and bass). Harp students may participate in Orchestra but must provide their own instrument and be enrolled in private lessons. ***
Concert Orchestra
This is the second semester of Concert Orchestra JHS. This is a class designed for 7th graders but does provide a stronger musical experience for the advanced 6th grade student. It also provides an opportunity for the eighth grader to develop who may not have the necessary skills for the symphony orchestra. Students in this group will have the opportunity to advance at semester. Literature studies is of intermediate difficulty. Performances are required. Students must have instructor approval. Intermediate Orchestra
Symphonic Orchestra
This course is designed for intermediate as well as advanced string players. Advanced techniques of bowing fingering and tone production are pursued through the study of music ranging from Early Baroque through contemporary and popular styles. The group performs both as a string ensemble and as a symphony orchestra by combining woodwinds brass and percussion from the Advanced Band. Performances are required.
Music Explorations 6:
Exploration of different musical styles and development of skills that is basic to musical understanding and appreciation. Music exploration performance is limited to class.
Choir 6
Choir 6 is a non-auditioned ensemble open to all 6th grade students. The choir performs music from all genres and time periods while learning the basics of singing posture music theory and sight singing. Beginning choir is the entry pathway designed to give students with an interest in singing an opportunity to explore the changing voice at the middle level. This class will provide a strong choral foundation that will enable students to confidently transition to Select Choir at the seventh grade and eighth grade level.
Concert Choir
Membership is by permission of the instructor. This is a non-select mixed choir. Choral literature of appropriate difficulty is performed in preparation for advanced musical study in select groups. This is a performing group and attendance at school concerts is required.
Select Choir (Velocity) (By Audition Only)
Participation in select choir requires high-level performance skills. The choir performs a variety of significant choral literature representing several stylistic periods. This is a gifted and talented group which performs concerts in the school and community.
Intro to Drama
This class provides an introductory experience to creative dramatics.
Musical Theatre Production
This one semester class is an interdisciplinary course designed to develop skills in various aspects of producing a major musical. It is open to students with a variety of interests including singing acting dancing instrumental music technical theater and marketing. Auditions portfolios and/or resumes may be required. Instructor approval required.