EXPLORATORY > 6TH GRADE 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.
