Chorus Teacher

Adam Aguanno

Grade 6 Chorus
Students entering sixth grade and electing chorus will begin by acquainting themselves with the vocal music program at the Middle School. Emphasis will be placed on group awareness and participation. The students will continue adding to their knowledge of basic vocal skills through various technique-building exercises and a repertoire of music literature appropriate to their level (folk tunes, patriotic songs, spirituals, songs from the musical theater, classical, popular songs, etc.).

Grade 7 Chorus
Students entering seventh grade will continue adding to their knowledge of vocal music techniques. Students will refine tone awareness, intonation and blending skills. Emphasis will be placed on the utilization of each singer's full range and each singer's ability to control the voice quality, pitch accuracy, and harmonic blending. The difficulty of music literature will be chosen to challenge the chorus to its limit. The vocal students will continue adding to their vocal repertoire the study of specific choral literature appropriate to the level in unison, two-part, and simple three-part singing.

Grade 8 Chorus
Students entering the eighth grade will further refine all skills covered in all previous levels. Further challenges will include more advanced choral arrangements appropriate to the level in unison, complex two and three-part singing (according to the group's ability). Special ensemble work with small groups will also be incorporated. Students will receive homogeneously grouped lessons. Lesson time will be spent on solo and ensemble performance, in order to bring each vocal student to his/her maximum individual performance level.

Band Teachers

Kristen Cappucino
Ester Musilli

6th Grade Band
Students entering Sixth Grade will begin by acquainting themselves with the middle school instrumental program. Emphasis will be placed on refinement of performance through the introduction of group awareness. Balance, blend, and specific stylistic skills will be incorporated into the curriculum; along with the addition of more complex time signatures and rhythmic values. Proper playing procedures and proper band etiquette will be established. Students will attend weekly lessons based upon their schedule. Lesson time will be spent working with method books,hand-outs, band literature, and various other materials chosen by the band director. Students will attend band either as a “full-time” member(every day/all year), or as a “semester member” (everyday/half year).

7th Grade Band
Students entering Seventh Grade will refine tone awareness, intonation, and blending skills with the primary evaluation being a mature performance. Stress will be placed on utilization of each instrument’s full range and each student’s ability to control the instrument throughout the range. The difficulty of performance will be chosen to challenge the band to its fullest potential. A wide variety of styles will be included in the performance in order to utilize the full range of the students’ skill, both as an individual and within the ensemble. Each student will receive weekly lessons. Lesson time will consist of ensemble playing, method books, scales in various keys, and use of additional materials chosen by the band director in order to achieve the goals of this level. Students will attend band either as a “full-time” member (every day/all year), or as a “semester member” (everyday/half year).

8th Grade Band
Students entering Eighth Grade will perfect all skills covered in all previous levels. Further challenges will include more advanced rhythmic variations, more intricate key and time signatures, and the introduction of ornamentations. Performance music will be wide in variety and longer in length, incorporating all past skills, as well as advanced key and meter shifting. Each student will receive weekly lessons. Lesson time will be spent on solos and ensemble performance in order to bring each student to his/her maximum individual performance level. Materials used in lessons will be chosen by the band director. Students will also receive regular band rehearsals, as well as additional rehearsals for groups outside the concert band in which the student is a member. Students will attend band either as a “full-time” member (every day/all year), or as a “semester member” (everyday/half year).

Orchestra Teacher

Darby MacAdams

All orchestra students will attend weekly lessons. Lesson time will be spent working with method books, hand-outs, concert repertoire, and other materials chosen by the director. Students will attend orchestra either as a "full-time" member (every day/all year), or as a "semester member" (every day/half year).

6th Grade Orchestra
Students will reinforce proper technique, posture, and literacy skills. Additionally, students will begin learning scales, arpeggios, ensemble balancing, and other related skills.

7th Grade Orchestra
Students will continue to build upon previous skills. Additionally, they will begin shifting, rhythmic dictation, and more.

8th Grade Orchestra
Students will further continue building upon previous skills and develop their skills in vibrato, melodic dictation, and even more.

Rent vs. Buy
- Renting is a good option if your student is still growing. Instrumental rental stores can easily exchange instruments when your student needs a new size instrument.
- Buying is a good option if your student is done growing and plays the largest possible size of their instrument.

What size string should I rent for my child?
String Instrument Sizing Chart

Where to Rent
The Music Shop
Russo Music
Elefante Music

Where to Buy
Southwest Strings has great and affordable options.

Art Teacher

Colleen Van Handle