Music
One of the ways you’ll thrive at the Northwest School is through music. We offer a wide range of options, taught by outstanding musicians and composers with extensive teaching experience.
Instrumental, choral and jazz ensembles are open to all students. And performance- and compositional-based experiences are available at all grade levels.
Middle School:
Sixth graders have the opportunity to participate in band, orchestra or choir with little or no experience.
Seventh and eighth graders can audition for the Middle School Band or Orchestra.
Upper School:
Skilled musicians can audition for the Jazz Band, Concert Band, Orchestra, House Band (pop music ensemble), and Advanced Choir
The NWS Concert Choir offers the opportunity to perform without an audition.
Music Department Highlights
Students perform in Music Concerts at venues across the city at least once per semester.
Music Course Catalog
Middle School
Intro to Band
For grades 6, 7, and 8 with limited or no prior experience! All middle school students are welcome to learn a new band instrument in this semester-long course. Celebrations of music-making will happen at school concerts and on possible field trips. Instrument options are as follows: flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, or percussion (this includes drums AND mallet instruments).
Middle School Vocal Music
Students will learn important vocal skills and techniques (breath support, vocal placement, tone, dynamics, projection, expression, harmony, etc...) to help them bring out the best in their voices and grow in their confidence as singers. Students will form a vocal ensemble, learn collaboration skills, and rehearse a variety of relatable songs to perform in school concerts and out of school concerts and opportunities as well as participate in a solo/small group. Students will also engage in activities related to vocal improvisation, creative play, and songwriting. This semester-long class is open to all ability levels - everyone has a voice, and we all are singers!
Intro to Strings
Introduction to Strings is a semester-long course for grades 6-8 that offers students the opportunity to make music with string instruments (violin, viola, cello, and bass). The content knowledge and skills introduced in this class prepare students for additional music making opportunities at The Northwest School and beyond. This class is ideal for students with limited or no prior experience. A sincere desire and motivation to make music with a string instrument is all that is required!
Intro to Band
For grades 6, 7, and 8 with limited or no prior experience! All middle school students are welcome to learn a new band instrument in this semester-long course. Celebrations of music-making will happen at school concerts and on possible field trips. Instrument options are as follows: flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, or percussion (this includes drums AND mallet instruments).
Middle School Band
This is a yearlong intermediate band course for 7-8th grade students with at least one year of instrumental experience. We explore different styles of music from traditional concert band pieces to movies and pop music. There are various celebrations of music in the form of concerts, field trips, and festivals throughout the year. Instrument options are as follows: flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, or percussion (this includes drums and mallet percussion).
Middle School Vocal Music
Students will learn important vocal skills and techniques (breath support, vocal placement, tone, dynamics, projection, expression, harmony, etc...) to help them bring out the best in their voices and grow in their confidence as singers. Students will form a vocal ensemble, learn collaboration skills, and rehearse a variety of relatable songs to perform in school concerts and out of school concerts and opportunities as well as participate in a solo/small group. Students will also engage in activities related to vocal improvisation, creative play, and songwriting. This semester-long class is open to all ability levels - everyone has a voice, and we all are singers!
Intro to Strings
Introduction to Strings is a semester-long course for grades 6-8 that offers students the opportunity to make music with string instruments (violin, viola, cello, and bass). The content knowledge and skills introduced in this class prepare students for additional music making opportunities at The Northwest School and beyond. This class is ideal for students with limited or no prior experience. A sincere desire and motivation to make music with a string instrument is all that is required!
Middle School String Orchestra
Middle School String Orchestra is a yearlong course for students in grades 7-8 with at least one year of instrumental experience (violin, viola, cello, and bass). Students should already possess a fundamental knowledge of music literacy and instrumental performance techniques. This class is designed to support students that are seeking to enhance their skills as a string player and musician.
Upper School
Upper School Concert Band
The Concert Band is a non-auditioned upper school band open to all students in grades 9-12 with prior music experience. This is a yearlong course. Concert Band participates in one concert per term, a field trip to a local university or band festival, and a variety of optional performances throughout the year. Instrument options are as follows: flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, bari saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, or percussion. Prerequisite: prior music experience or teacher approval.
Upper School Jazz Band
Auditions are held in the spring of the prior year for the US Jazz Band. This is a yearlong course. There are a limited number of musicians in jazz band to keep the integrity of the ensemble repertoire. Students must have 2 years’ experience to participate. The jazz band will travel to at least one festival and perform at a public venue each year. Instruments accepted are as follows: alto/tenor/bari saxophone (4-6), trumpet (3-5), trombone (-5), guitar (1-2), bass (1-2), piano (1-2), drum set (1-2). Other instruments allowed with instructor permission. Prerequisite: Audition required.
NWS Concert Choir
This introductory choir is a yearlong, non-auditioned group, open to grades 9-12. Students of any ability level are welcome to join. Students will perform musical selections in a variety of styles and languages. Students will start to develop and build on a foundation of musical knowledge including recognizing musical symbols and basic notation, easy/intermediate sight reading, rhythm reading, building listening skills, and working on community building within our group. Students will perform at school concerts, with the possibility to travel to perform at events outside of school. Come explore your voice and music with us!
Advanced Choir
This is a yearlong, auditioned intermediate/advanced level ensemble where students will study increasingly difficult music from various styles/genres of choral music: classical, art music, spirituals, Broadway, and pop/pop influenced music. Students will also increase their depth of knowledge regarding music theory and sight-reading. Students will be responsible for preparing individual parts for class rehearsal. Students in this ensemble will participate in multiple performances throughout the school year, both on and off campus. Come sing with us! Prerequisite: Audition required
House Band (Popular Music Ensemble)
This yearlong performing arts class treats popular music on par with classical and jazz, offering students a hands-on opportunity to explore the broad techniques of these genres and gain insight into the power of popular music in creating social change. To do this, we study and perform existing music, as well as apply this inspiration to the creation of our own original songs. Students will perform both in school and at local venues and events including Nectar Lounge and the Northwest Folklife Festival.
Placement by audition, open to rising 10th-12th graders and rising 9th graders by instructor permission. Previous musical experience required.
Guitar Studio
This one semester course introduces (or expands) guitar as a means of expression and an avenue for songwriting. Students will learn the fundamentals of song structure, chord progressions, and songwriting techniques, as well as essential music production skills. We will delve into the history of popular music, examining how cultural and societal influences have shaped its evolution. By analyzing the works of iconic artists and exploring the underlying principles of great music, students will gain a deeper understanding of the craft to augment their own playing. Active listening, critical thinking, and respectful discussion are key parts of the class, as is the ability to manage self-directed work.
Previous experience with guitar or other musical instruments is helpful, but not necessary.
Songwriting Studio
This one semester course will support students in exploring the creative process to become songwriters. By embarking on creative adventures, students will write songs with guidance, structures, tips, and tools provided through various individual and group activities. Students will learn to analyze and evaluate what makes a good song and study songwriters they admire or who are known for their songwriting abilities. Through guitar and other accompaniment instrument workshops, students will become proficient or grow in their established skills in the guitar and other instruments that can be used in the songwriting process. Students will work to develop song ideas using digital music creation programs. Students will also work on a personal song either independently as a solo artist or in a duo.
Prerequisite: Guitar Studio or previous music ensemble or production experience.
Popular Musics
This one semester course focuses on the understanding and history of the multiple genres which encompass “Popular Musics.” We will look at contributing artists and events throughout the 20th century, how creative and socio-economic experiences helped shape modern music, and how those experiences and events led to the music we listen to daily today. This class will include understanding the architecture of pieces of music, studying what makes great music great, reading basic music notation, exploring digital audio workstation software, and much more. Active listening, critical thinking, and respectful discussion are key parts of the class, as is the ability to manage self-directed work. No prior musical experience is necessary.
Recording Arts
Recording Arts is a one semester project-based course in which students will explore the world of audio production. Key elements of the class will include techniques for sound design and music recording/production and curating content such as music and dialogue for radio broadcasts. Participants in the class will learn proper microphone techniques for both recording audio and broadcasting and will learn how to manipulate audio in various software applications. Independent work and time management skills are vital.
Prerequisite: Popular Musics or previous music ensemble experience.
Upper School String Orchestra
The Upper School String Orchestra is an intermediate to advanced performing instrumental group at The Northwest School. This is a yearlong course. The string orchestra is composed of students on all the major string instruments. Instruction concentrates on advanced technical and expressive skills in an ensemble-focused setting.
Membership in this group is selective as advanced reading, musicianship and student responsibility are required. Prerequisite: Completion of Middle School String Orchestra OR at least one-year previous experience.