Departments

Related Arts - Music

Band

Sixth Grade Band - This course is designed for students with prior instrumental experience who have completed the First Division Band Method or its equivalent. The fundamentals of good musicianship will be emphasized, as well as:

Reading, understanding and performing note values in relation to different time signatures.
Recognizing musical terms and symbols and performing them appropriately.
Evaluating individual and group progress.
Approaching practice and performance in a positive mode.
Developing pride in individual and group accomplishments.
Demonstrating a basic knowledge of posture, breath control, embouchure, attack/release and proper instrument/hand position.

Seventh Grade Band - This course is designed for students who have met the criteria for successful completion of Sixth Grade Band to the instructor's satisfaction. The fundamentals of good musicianship will be continue to be emphasized, as well as:

Increasing technical proficiency and range.
Developing improved listening skills for individual tuning and balance within the ensemble.
Performing a variety of musical styles and compositions of varying difficulty.
Participating in auditions for enrichment groups (with the instructor's approval).
Developing a sense of responsibility to band, school and community through performance.

Eighth Grade Band - This course is designed for students who have met the criteria for successful completion of Seventh Grade Band to the instructor's satisfaction. The fundamentals of good musicianship will be expected to be demonstrated by students at all times, as well as:

Demonstrating knowledge of scales and basic music theory.
Continuing the development of listening skills, technical proficiency and range.
Participating in adjudicated performances individually and as a group.
Developing through performance an understanding of musical style and an appreciation for the compositions of different cultures.
Understanding the relationship between the concepts and elements of music to the other academic disciplines.

Chorus

Chorus is offered at Somers in the 6th, 7th and 8th Grades. Chorus is a year long, performance-based course that meets daily. Being in chorus requires a high level of commitment to the program because of some after school rehearsals, evening concerts, and other competitions. Both the 6th grade chorus and the 7th and 8th grade chorus have the opportunity to go to the district adjudication festival, and possibly advancing to a state wide festival. There are many extra optional opportunities to perform throughout the year, such as All County Chorus and Tri-County Honor Chorus. Through daily rehearsals, all singers will begin to learn how to read music by developing their own individual sight-reading skills. Students will learn and perform a wide range of music spanning different time periods, styles and cultures.

Orchestra

Students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade who play violin, viola, cello, and double bass meet to rehearse music for public performance. Students learn daily lessons in music theory and composition. There are many opportunities for our strings students to perform in select county and tri-county orchestras, as well as solo and small ensemble festivals.

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