Music
The OES Music program Pre K – 12 seeks to expose students to the aesthetic and creative joy of making music. Students learn the equal importance and interrelation of individual self-discipline and accomplishment and of ensemble esprit-de-corps and success. 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.
Structure of Art and Music Program
ALL SIXTH AND SEVENTH GRADE STUDENTS participate in Art, Drama/Acting, and Music classes. Sixth Grade students take a music class all year long, two periods a week, and choose between Choir, Band, or Orchestra. The music class rotates with Drama classes which meet for one semester each, for two periods a week. Sixth grade Art rotates with Library Skills/Computers/and Health on a quarter basis and meets four days a week. Seventh grade Art rotates with Religion/Computers/and Health on a quarter basis and meets four days a week.
Students in the EIGHTH GRADE choose two arts classes each meeting two days a week, all year long to assure for continuity in the curriculum.
- Arts Class #1: Musical or Explore!(Exploration of Contemporary Music and Art)
- Arts Class #2: Acting, Art, Band, Choir or Strings
Arts Class #1:
8th grade students choose one of the following classes. It will meet two days a week.
- The 8th grade Musical (note: The 8th grade musical is no longer a requirement for all 8th grade students.) The 2011-12 musical will be Guys and Dolls and may or may not be double-cast depending on the number of students who sign up. Students may act, sing, be stage manager, help with tech which includes set and sound, or play their instruments for some of the songs.
OR
- Explore!: Exploration of Contemporary Music and Art. Students in this class will explore and experience a variety of arts and media. Activites may include making visual representations of music, participating in an ipod/ipad orchestra, African drumming, environmental art, stomp band, an art installation, making instruments, exploring visual culture, and art and music performances. Curriculum may change as ideas are entertained from those in the class.
Arts Class #2:
8th grade students choose one of the following classes. It will meet 2 days a week.
Acting
In 8th grade acting we will be exploring character creation and script development. The goal will be to work with a new script, make adjustments to the script based on understanding of character and plot, and finally perform the script during the "Fine Arts Night" at the end of the school year.
Art
In 8th grade art we will be covering artists and art practices from Postmodernism to Contemporary Art. We will be looking at artists who have influenced our visual culture and changed the way art objects and materials have been used and seen. We will also focus on art concepts in each stage of the artistic process starting with inspiration and idea-generation, moving to creative-process and media-experimentation, and ending with how artworks interact with the audience/viewer.
Band
8th grade band will work on a variety of music from standard forms, but also multi-cultural, pop, rock and jazz genres. Students will have opportunities to conduct the group in rehearsals and performances. All band students will be in class together (not split like in 6th and 7th grades). No practice reports are required, but continued practice is expected to keep up with the class.
Choir
8th Grade Choir will be comprised of both boys and girls. The students will perform a variety of music from sacred, multi-cultural, contemporary and popular sources. The class will be offered all year, two days a week. Grades are based on class and concert participation.
Strings (subject to enrollment)
8th grade strings will perform a variety of music with emphasis on classical repertoire. Sprinkled in will be popular and contemporary music. The class will meet all year 2x a week. Grades are based on class and concert participation. Depending on skill level the student may be expected to practice orchestra music at home.
MS Music Courses
MS CHOIR for 6th, 7th & 8th grade
All year long, every other day
Middle School Choir program provides students with the opportunity to experience a performance-based curriculum the entire school year. The choirs will meet every other day, allowing students to also take art and drama classes. The Sixth and Seventh Grade choirs may be divided by gender, in order to focus on the vocal changes unique to students in middle school. Students who enroll in the choir program develop fundamental skills in choral singing such as breathing, posture, music reading, three and four part harmony, performance technique, etc. No previous singing experiences or voice training is required, rather the desire and joy of learning a variety of songs in a fun, disciplined class setting. Singing techniques, sight-reading and basic music skills will be incorporated into the rehearsals. A varied repertoire includes folk, classical, pop, jazz, and multicultural music. Performance opportunities include the Advent Service, All-School Choral Concert, Middle School chapels and holiday performances.
Beginning Band (6th grade)
All year long, two periods a week
The yearlong course is open to any student who has a desire to learn to play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. An emphasis is placed on building a strong foundation in correct technique, tone production and musical understanding. Students learn basic care of their instrument, correct posture, playing position, tone producing techniques, fingerings, and correct recognition and performance of basic notation. The class exposes students to the joys of all kinds of music, from Baroque and Classical to Pop and Movie Scores. Students will develop the knowledge to analyze and evaluate their work and the work of others. Regular home practice is expected. The ensemble will perform several times throughout the year at special chapels, concerts and off-campus events.
Intermediate Strings Ensemble
(6th grade, depending on enrollment)
All year, two periods a week
This yearlong course is open to students who have engaged in instrumental study for a period of time and who can demonstrate a basic level of proficiency on their instruments. The class will focus on development of ensemble skills and attainment of intermediate instrumental objectives. An emphasis is placed on building a strong foundation in correct technique, tone production and musical understanding. Students learn basic care of their instrument, correct posture, playing position, tone producing techniques, fingerings, and correct recognition and performance of basic notation. The class exposes students to the joys of all kinds of music, from Baroque and Classical to Pop and Movie Scores. Students will develop the knowledge to analyze and evaluate their work and the work of others. Regular home practice is expected.
Intermediate Band (6th grade)
All year long, two periods a week
This yearlong course is open to students who have engaged in instrumental study for a period of time and who can demonstrate a basic level of proficiency on their instruments. The class will focus on the development of ensemble skills and attainment of intermediate instrumental objectives. The class exposes students to the joys of all kinds of music, from Baroque and Classical to Pop and Movie Scores. Regular home practice is expected. The ensemble will perform several times throughout the year at special chapels, concerts and off-campus events.
Intermediate Band (7th grade)
All year long, two periods a week
This yearlong course is open to students who have engaged in instrumental study for a period of time and who can demonstrate a basic level of proficiency on their instruments. The class will focus on development of ensemble skills and attainment of intermediate instrumental objectives. The class builds upon the skill-based curriculum of the sixth grade, to include more performance literature. Students study a large variety of literature including selections from graded concert band literature (classics and contemporary works), holiday and ceremonial music, and popular selections. Students who have not had sixth grade band may join the band program by special permission of the director and if enrolled in private lessons. Regular home practice is expected. The ensemble will perform several times throughout the year at special chapels, concerts and off-campus events.
Intermediate/Advanced Symphonic Band (7th grade)
All year long, two periods a week
This yearlong course is open to students who have engaged in instrumental study for a period of time and who can demonstrate an intermediate to advanced level of proficiency on their instruments. Placement is by audition. The class will focus on development of ensemble skills and attainment of intermediate to advanced instrumental objectives. Students study a large variety of literature including selections from graded concert band literature (classics and contemporary works), holiday and ceremonial music, and popular selections. Regular home practice is expected. The ensemble will perform several times throughout the year at special chapels, concerts and off-campus events.
Intermediate Strings Ensemble (7th grade, depending on enrollment)
All year, two periods a week
This yearlong course is open to students who have engaged in instrumental study for a period of time and who can demonstrate a basic level of proficiency on their instruments. The class will focus on development of ensemble skills and attainment of intermediate instrumental objectives. The class builds upon the skill-based curriculum of the sixth grade, to include more performance literature. Students study a large variety of literature including selections from graded concert strings literature (classics and contemporary works), holiday and ceremonial music, and popular selections. The focus of this ensemble is to introduce and refine students' skills at shifting, vibrato, and more advanced bowing techniques. They will perform several times throughout the year.
Advanced Strings Ensemble (8th grade, depending on enrollment)
All year, two days a week
Eighth grade Strings Ensemble is a course available to students who wish to continue and advance their musical studies on a stringed instrument. Students work on improving individual playing skills as well as ensemble skills. Repertoire consists of traditional, classical, and popular music that is intermediate to the advanced level. The class performs thoughout the year at school concerts, chapels and special school events.
Advanced Symphonic Band (8th grade)
All year, two days a week
This course is open to students who have engaged in instrumental study for a period of time and who can demonstrate an intermediate to advanced level of proficiency on their instruments. The class will focus on development of ensemble skills and attainment of intermediate to advanced instrumental objectives. Students study a large variety of literature including selections from graded concert band literature (classics and contemporary works), holiday and ceremonial music, and popular selections. Regular home practice is expected. The ensemble will perform several times throughout the year at special chapels, concerts and off-campus events.
Additional Middle School Music class options:
The MS Middle School Preparatory Jazz Band and MS Orchestra (6,7,8) are additional/optional music classes, but do not fulfill the music requirement for Middle School students.
Orchestra
0 period on Thursday (before school hours)
This exciting and fun ensemble is an opportunity for the motivated and experienced string player to experience playing in a multi-grade ability-based orchestra. Offered before school on Thursday mornings, the Middle School Orchestra class will focus on development of individual and ensemble skills, as well as the attainment of intermediate to advanced instrumental objectives. Students will study a large variety of literature including selections from graded orchestra literature (classics and contemporary works), holiday and ceremonial music, and popular selections. The ensemble will perform throughout the year at special concerts and off-campus events.
Middle School Jazz Band
After school on Mondays and Fridays, and 0 period on Thursday
OES This exciting and fun ensemble is an opportunity for the motivated and experienced student instrumentalist to experience performance through the jazz medium. Offered after school twice a week and during the zero period before school on Thursdays, the Middle School Jazz Band class will focus on development of individual and ensemble skills, as well as the attainment of intermediate to advanced instrumental objectives. Students will study a large variety of literature including selections from graded jazz band literature (classics and contemporary works), holiday and ceremonial music, and popular selections. The ensemble will perform several times throughout the year at special concerts and off-campus events. Assignments will include composing and/or improvising to a typical blues progression, ear training, transcribing solos and analyzing the performances of selected jazz innovators. Membership is by audition and with approval of the instructor. Concurrent membership in MS concert band is required for MS jazz band participation.
OES Instrument Rentals
OES has a wide collection of musical instruments for rent. See details.
