Chorus

  • About The Program...

     

    6TH GRADE GENERAL MUSIC

    This music appreciation course provides music exploratory and skill-building opportunities to all sixth grade students through the following units of study: Multi-Cultural Exploration (African Drumming), Review of the Elements of Music (Favorite Song Projects/Listening Journal), Music Composition (Boomwhackers and/or Glockenspiels), Class Guitar, and Introduction to American Musical Theatre (Romeo and Juliet/West Side Story).

     

    SIXTH GRADE CHORUS

    This is a full-year course open to all girls and boys in the sixth grade who like to sing in a group setting. Emphasis is on singing two and three-part treble music; exposure to a wide variety of choral music styles and techniques; singing in foreign languages; performance of choreography; and the development of the fundamentals of good musicianship. Half of the 6th Grade Choir meets on Tuesdays and the other half on Thursdays. A Soprano Sectional Rehearsal is held on Mondays, an Alto Sectional Rehearsal is held on Wednesdays, and all boys have sectionals on Fridays. The sixth-grade choir includes one full-day field trip, an annual tour of elementary feeder schools in the spring.

     

    SEVENTH GRADE CHORUS

    This is a full-year course open to all students in the seventh grade who are interested in participating in a large musical organization. Emphasis in on singing three-part mixed and four-part music; exposure to a wide variety of choral music styles and techniques; singing in foreign languages; performance of choreography; and the development of more advanced musicianship skills. The Full Choir meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A Soprano Sectional Rehearsal is held on Mondays, an Alto Sectional Rehearsal is held on Wednesdays, and all boys have sectionals on Fridays. Seventh-grade choir includes one annual field trip, a full day tour of local nursing homes and assisted care facilities.

     

    EIGHTH GRADE CHORUS

    This is a full-year course open to all students in the eighth grade who are interested in participating in a large musical organization. Emphasis is on singing three-part mixed and four-part music; exposure to a wide variety of choral music styles and techniques; singing in foreign languages; performance of choreography; and the development of more advanced musicianship skills. The Full Choir meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A Soprano Sectional Rehearsal is held on Mondays, an Alto Sectional Rehearsal is held on Wednesdays, and all boys have sectionals on Fridays. Eighth-grade choir includes one half-day field trip, a visit to Naperville Central in February to work with the high school choirs and ask questions about being involved in music in high school.

     

    WOMEN'S CHORALE; MEN'S CHORALE

    In addition to these three curricular vocal music groups, there are also two extra-curricular groups: Men's Chorale, which meets Wednesdays before/after school; and Women's Chorale, which meets Tuesdays before/after school. Both of these groups are open to students of any age, but they must already be involved in either band, orchestra, or choir. Students may choose to attend either morning or afternoon rehearsal weekly. Both choirs will perform at three concerts during the year. These groups will begin rehearsing late 1st trimester.

     

    CHIME IN! CHIME CHOIR

    This extra-curricular music group plays hand-chimes (similar to handbells) at three concerts throughout the year and is the ONLY chime choir in District 203. Chime In! is intended to give students who may not have other opportunities to participate in music a chance to be part of a group and learn basic note-reading skills. It is open to ANY student in grades 6-8 regardless of participation in curricular music groups, but basic note and rhythm reading skills are required. Chime In! meets on  Thursdays before school from 7:15-7:45 and will begin rehearsing late 1st trimester.

    *All handchimes have been purchased through generous grants from NEA (Naperville Education Association). Thank you for your support of this organization.

     

Phone:

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Mrs. Carmen Ceresa

Mrs. Ceresa grew up in northwest Iowa and received her Bachelor's of Music Education degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa in 1991. Her first teaching job was as a junior high band and choir director (and kindergarten music teacher) in Putnam County, Illinois.

In 1993 she moved to Chicago and spent six years teaching band and choir at Notre Dame High School for Girls. During this time, Mrs. Ceresa received her MA in Human Resource Development from Northeastern Illinois University.

Mrs. Ceresa moved to Naperville in 1999 and spent the next six years at home with her children, while maintaining a private voice and piano studio in her home, and directing the junior high choir at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. Mrs. Ceresa was thrilled to be invited to teach at Madison Junior High in 1996 because she lives in the neighborhood and loves the people and the area. Mrs. Ceresa feels lucky to be able to go to work every day and do what she loves to do - help young people make beautiful music!