Ensembles

 

MUSIC ENSEMBLES provide an excellent opportunity for augmenting the skills and abilities acquired through private study, in addition to fostering musical and group cohesion.  Meeting weekly for group rehearsals, ensembles have the opportunity to participate in concerts, recitals, school liturgies, and community performances.  Student involvement and progress is documented each trimester, with reports sent to the parent/s via PowerSchool      

      
Band    Grades 4 to 8
BEGINNER BAND             Tuesdays @ 7:45 am
ADVANCED BAND           Thursdays @ 3:00-5:00 pm
All students who take a private lesson in a band instrument are required to participate in one or both of the school bands. Beginning level students will comprise Beginner Band.  Students whose abilities have proven the capacity to play more complex pieces will be placed in Advanced Band.  Students may be required to participate in both bands during transitional periods.  Music to be learned for all students includes standard band pieces; selected popular and contemporary works. 


    
  Handbell Choir    Grades 5 to 8  (Limited enrollment)
  HANDBELL  I                      Tuesdays @ 7:45 am
  HANDBELL  II                     Mondays @ 7:45 am

· Learn to read music notation
· Learn the fundamentals of handbell playing, including ringing skills and techniques 
· Use a wide variety of music to explore a more complex, chordal sound
· Handbell Choir I usually includes students in grades 7 and 8 who have had a minimum of 1 year of Handbell experience and study of another instrument; Handbell Choir II includes any student in grade 5 through 8 who have had no prior Handbell experience and need not study another instrument.


 
  MIDI Ensemble    Grades 5 to 8 (Limited enrollment)   Fridays @ 7:45 am
· Students will use iPads to perform and create music  
· Learn to play arranged pieces in duet, trio, and quartet groupings
· Learn to manipulate the pitch bend wheel, modulation wheel, and banks of sound on the iPad


 
Mixed Chorus   Grades 5 to 8     

Thursdays @ 3:00-5:00 PM

· Learn proper breathing and tone production
· Learn singing on pitch, phrasing, articulation, and proper posture
 · Students will learn more advanced pieces and part singing
 · Students will study and perform contemporary and standard choral works 


 
 
Percussion Ensemble 2    

Grades 5 to 8 (Limited enrollment) 

Thursdays @ 7:45 am
· Learn the fundamentals of percussion instruments
· Learn basic stage drumming technique
· Learn to work in an ensemble with a group effort


 
Orff Ensemble    Grades 3 and 4    

Mondays 12:00 PM
· Learn the fundamentals of note reading
· Learn the basics of ensemble performance
     · Students will rotate parts

 

  
Service Musicians  Grades 6 to 8    Tuesdays 12:30 PM
· Comprised of instrumentalists and singers
· Open to all students whether or not they take lessons at    Ancillae-Assumpta at no charge
· Students provide music for school-wide Liturgies and special  assemblies throughout the year.
· Rehearsals are held during the school day
· No requirements - just a desire to serve


SELECT ENSEMBLES are comprised of students who participate in Band or Mixed Chorus and have demonstrated the ability to undertake the study of more complex music.  Entrance to the Select Ensembles is based on audition or teacher recommendation, and is left to the discretion of the Ensemble Director/s.


Chamber Ensemble  

Thursdays @ 7:45 am

Open to flute, clarinet, French horn, and string players who are current members of Advanced Band.  Piano may be needed for accompaniment.


Guitar Ensembles I AND II       

Guitar II: Mondays, 7:45-8:15 am

Guitar I: Mondays: 12:30-1:00 pm

Membership is determined by the directors who evaluate individual student's skill levels.



Jazz Ensemble    

Thursdays @ 12:30 pm       

Open to trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, sax, bass guitar, percussion, and guitar players who are current members of Advanced Band.  Piano may be needed for accompaniment.

 

Percussion Ensemble 
PERCUSSION  I        Wednesdays @7:45 am
Open first to students who study private percussion or mallets.  Other instrumentalists may be considered if space is available. 


   
Select Vocal Ensemble  

Wednesdays @ 12:30 pm

Open to students in grades 7 and 8 who are currently enrolled in Mixed Chorus and have had a minimum of one year of active participation in that ensemble. 




String Ensemble   

Wednesdays, 7:45-8:15     

Open to violin, viola, cello, bass, and piano students.  Membership is determined by skill level.