Middle School Chorus
Students who enroll in chorus will study a wide variety of vocal music including folk songs, classical, canons and rounds, Broadway, and popular music. Students learn how to use proper vocal and breathing techniques. We use the music to develop their skills in music literacy (reading) and musical vocabulary and concepts. Each chorus performs in the winter and spring concerts during the school year. Dates are posted on the school calendar.
Throughout their time in middle school chorus students also learn how to navigate the voice as it changes! Students are asked to participate actively in both singing and critical listening activities throughout the year, and we talk about what it means to rehearse and perform as an ensemble.
In addition to our singing activities, students in middle school chorus study an opera in January and a musical in the late spring.
Dress Code for...
Performances
White shirts/blouses and dark skirts/pants.
Black shoes are preferable (no more than a 1" heel.)
Black leggings are not appropriate for the stage.
Recitals
Girls: dress or skirt (any color), dress shoes
Boys: jacket, tie, dress slacks, dress shirt, dress shoes, socks
NYSSMA and All-County Auditions
Attire does not have an impact on one’s score; however, it is a natural human reaction for judges to be affected by first impressions. Wearing concert dress or a nice outfit is recommended.
Recitals
Recitals are held during the fall and the spring (see calendar). One month prior to the recital, all potential recital participants will receive an interest form from Ms. Simpson. On these forms, students will indicate their intent to perform as well as the title and composer of their piece. The form must be signed by the student, parent/guardian and the student’s private music teacher, if the student is studying privately. (If the student does not study privately, the school music teacher will evaluate the student’s readiness to perform.) The form must be returned to the school music teacher NO LATER THAN two weeks prior to the performance. Students must attach a copy of the music for the accompanist. Once the form is submitted, students may sign up for a coaching with our accompanist, Dr. Jonathan Faiman.
Late entries will not be accepted. If time constraints become a factor, students will be limited to one solo and one ensemble performance per recital.
After School Music Lesson Program at the Bronxville School
Although every effort is made to meet the needs of individual music students during school music classes, it cannot be denied that private music lessons significantly enhance a child’s opportunities to learn. As a convenience to parents, private music lessons are offered after school in the building during the school year. The Bronxville School music lesson program offers private instruction in the following instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Baritone, Trombone, Percussion, Violin, Viola, Cello and String Bass. Voice lessons are available as well. For more information about the program, please visit the BASC/After-Ninth website at: http://www.bronxvillepta.org/basc
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Private Lesson Programs Outside the Bronxville School
There are a number of private lesson programs and private lesson teachers available in the Bronxville area. The Concordia, Hoff-Barthelson, Manhattan School of Music, and Juilliard Prep programs are just a few of the outstanding music programs available to students.
Students are encouraged to investigate these programs as well as the school program to determine which opportunity best matches their interests. Students are reminded that if they study in a private lesson program outside the school, they need to accept responsibility for notifying their private teachers about WCSMA and NYSSMA events, as well as school recitals.
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