Musical Groups
Winter/Spring Semester 2012, PreK to 12th Grade
Philosophy of Music at OES
The OES Music program PreK–12 seeks to expose students to the aesthetic and creative joy of making music and instill in our students a life-long appreciation and love for music. Music at OES is dedicated to guiding students to reach their highest possible level of excellence. Students learn the equal importance and interrelation of individual self-discipline and ensemble esprit-de-corps. Through our music offerings, our students grow in self-esteem, musicianship and a global awareness as we work together in the universal language of music. Some school instruments are available for rental. Contact at 503-416-9360.
Performance Dress: For musical performances, students are expected to come in the following: blue polo shirt (OES Logo), black skirt or pants, black shoes. The exception is Boys' Choir and 3-5th Grade Girls' Choir (own dress code).
Orchestra Program
Beginning Violin NEW CLASS!
Would your child enjoy learning how to play a string instrument but wasn't ready in the fall? No need to wait until next year - now's the chance! Playing music together is a wonderful way for students to express themselves, it helps their brains in a myriad of ways, and it's truly a lot of fun! Come join a new class offered on learning how to play the violin.
Prerequisite: None
Kindergarten–2nd Grade
Janary 30-June 4
Monday, 3:00–3:50
Location: Scott House Room 22
Cost: $65, polo shirt $14 (if needed)
Beginning Strings
Group Violin Instruction for Beginners
The Beginning Strings class is for any child who is interested in learning the art of playing the violin. Incorporating both traditional western methods and modified Suzuki principles, the teacher creates for each student an atmosphere of encouragement, stimulation, and love for music, which is then nurtured at home through parental involvement in practicing and music-making. This approach helps the child develop musicianship, learning skills, and the ability to concentrate, while promoting healthy self-esteem. The entire family is enriched by this shared musical experience. Emphasis is on posture, focus, holding the bow, and elementary tone production. Students perform a common repertory together, play memory and ear-training games and work on performance skills. The group class is an excellent complement to private lessons—the student learns to react and respond to instruction, to lead and to follow, to concentrate while surrounded by others, and to view himself or herself as part of a supportive performing community. The ensemble performs at the Spring Instrumental Concert and the Strings Recital.
Neil Hollister began teaching in the Portland area in 1998, and has taught more than 100 students privately. He has coached adult and youth orchestras, and performed with many orchestras and ensembles–playing classical, jazz, country, and solos. He holds a Master’s degree from the University of Washington (2002) and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Portland (1995). While completing his Master’s, he studied pedagogy and completed a certificate in music theory.
Beginning Strings
Prerequisite: None
Kindergarten–5th Grade
February 2-June 7 (no class Feb. 16)
Thursday, 3:00–3:50
Location: Scott House Room 22
Cost: $65, polo shirt $14 (if needed)
Lower School Orchestra
This class continues to build on the technique and music literacy skills acquired in the Strings program. Students will explore more challenging ensemble music and have an opportunity to learn other instruments of the string family: the viola, cello and double bass, if so interested. The ensemble performs several times throughout the year, including the January LS Instrumental Concert, the Spring Instrumental Concert and at the concluding Strings Recital in the first week of June. Private lessons are strongly encouraged.
Angelika Furtwangler has been teaching private violin and beginning piano since 1996. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Performance in 2003 and Master of Science in Teaching Music in 2005 from Portland State University. She has also had solo performances with the Oregon Symphony, Arlene Schnitzer Young Artists, and Vancouver Symphony, just to name a few!
1st-5th Grade
Prerequisite: Subject to teacher approval
January 30-June 7 (no class Feb. 16&20, Mar. 27 & 29, Apr. 2, May 28)
Tuesday and Thursday, 3:00–4:00
Location: Scott House Room 22
Cost: $110, polo shirt $14 (if needed)
Band Program
Nancy Teskey earned her Doctorate in Music from the University of Colorado, her Master of Music from the University of Texas and her Bachelor of Music from the University of New Mexico. She also has an Oregon Teaching License in Music, English and French. She has performed with numerous orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout the west and currently performs with Friends of Rain, a new-music chamber ensemble in Portland. She is also the adjunct Flute Instructor at Lewis & Clark College. Nancy has taught middle and high school band, orchestra and choir for 15 years. An OES faculty member since 2002, she has experience conducting at the college level and in the private sector.
Advanced Band
This class is open to students who wish to build skills on their instrument. Students may choose from the following list of wind and percussion instruments to begin their Band experience: flute, clarinet, oboe, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone horn, and percussion. Students with no previous instrumental experience are encouraged to take private lessons in order to more quickly develop the skills necessary to play in performances. Students are required to rent or purchase an instrument. Instruction will focus on basic tone production and instrument care, as well as concert etiquette. Students will divide their class time between technique building exercises, performance pieces, and music theory games. The Advanced Band class is a great way to introduce the love of music to the entire family, and to give students another form of expression and an opportunity to build teamwork skills. The ensemble performs two additional times at the Spring Instrumental Concert and at a chapel.
Intermediate: 3rd Grade and above
February 1-June 8
Wednesday and Friday, 3:00–4:00
Beginning Band 3rd-5th Grade
Friday, 3:00–4:00 ( no class Feb. 10 & 17, Apr. 6)
Location: SH Band Room
Cost: $110, polo shirt $14 (if needed)
Choir Program
The choir program allows new registration starting Jan. 5, when the choirs begin all new music (fall term ends in December). Students will perform at special events throughout the spring, including chapel services. You will be billed in January for the spring semester. Fees include all performances, music, and uniforms (except Primary-2nd grade choir; a polo shirt is extra).
"The Melodies" : Primary–2nd Grade Choir
This choir is a great opportunity for enthusiastic young singers. Students will learn to transfer the music reading skills they are learning in music class to reading choral music appropriate for their age and ability. Students will learn the basics of correct singing in an atmosphere that is fun and relaxed, yet promotes personal discipline. Above all, students will develop a strong sense of working together to make beautiful music. Students will also demonstrate what they have learned in the many performance opportunities through the school year.
Deborah Bridgnell earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education with a Music minor from Southern Oregon University. She taught general music classes and directed children’s choirs for six years in Long Beach. Deborah has directed the children’s choir and the bell choir at the First Presbyterian Church for the past few years in addition to teaching Choir at OES.
Primary–2nd Grade
January 3-May 22 (20 classes, no class Mar. 27)
Tuesday, 3:00–3:50
Location: US Choir Room
Min/max enrollment: 22/50 students
Cost: $220, polo shirt $14 (if needed)
3rd–5th Grade Choir
Through the study of choral literature, singers will improve their voices while developing a strong sense of teamwork. Students will perform at various chapel services in the spring sessions and perform for an evening concert on May 26. In addition, the spring students will attend an All Day SWOKE Choir Festival, culminating in an evening performance with other choirs from the Portland area under the direction of a guest conductor. Basic music reading skills will be learned through singing and performing in a choir setting.
Kris Van Auken earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Pacific Lutheran University and a Master’s in Education from Lewis & Clark College. Kris taught music, instrumental and vocal classes for 13 years in public schools, and has been teaching at OES for the past 13 years. She is a freelance piano accompanist in the Portland area and has been teaching general music classes at OES for the past nine years. Kris is also the Artistic Director of the Oregon Repertory Singers Youth Choirs and conducts 4 of the 6 ensembles. Students are loaned performance attire and it must be returned at the end of the year.
3rd–5th Grade
January 4-May 30 (21 classes, plus performances and all day festival)
Wednesday, 3:00–4:00
Location: Scott House Choir Room
Min/max enrollment: 22/50 students
Cost: $265 (includes performance outfit)
OES Boys' Choir
This ensemble is for boys with unchanged voices, 3rd grade and older. The OES Boys’ Choir embraces the rich history of boys’ choirs in the Anglican tradition and explores both secular and sacred literature encompassing diverse and global traditions. The OES Boys’ Choir performs at the All School Choir Festival, the LS Spring Concert, US Fine Arts Night, in addition to performances with the US Boys DooWop Ensemble, "Those Guys." OES blazers (provided on loan from the school), white shirts, khaki pants, and neck ties are required attire.
3rd-6th Grade
January 4-June 6 (22 classes, plus performances and all day festival)
Wednesday, 3:00–4:00
Location: Church Basement Room 14
Cost: $265 (includes blazer and tie)
The Art of Singing: Group Voice Class
This is a class offering vocal instruction for students between the ages of 11-15 in a class setting. Age appropriate technique and pedagogy is taught through a variety of fun vocal exercises and songs ranging from musical theater to classical. This class is also a good preparation for soloists for the 8th grade musical. The ability to read music is helpful although not required.
Wendy Steele earned a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance at Pacific University and a Master in Music at Northwestern. She performs with many of the top vocal ensembles in the Northwest, including the acclaimed Cappella Romana and Portland Baroque Orchestra. She has been teaching voice at OES for 16 years.
Class A: January 4-March 14 (11 classes)
Cost: $220
Class B: April 4-May 30
(9 classes)
Cost: $180
6th-8th Grade
Wednesday, 3:00-3:45
Location: Chapel
Min/Max: 4/6 students
Class C:
January 4-March 14 (11 classes)
Cost: $185
Class D: April 4-May 30
(9 classes)
Cost: $150
5th Grade
Wednesday, 4:00-4:30
Location: US Choir Rm.
Min/Max: 4/6 students
