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.
In 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.
In upper school,
- Skilled musicians can audition for the Jazz Band, Concert Band, Orchestra, House Band (pop music ensemble), Vocal Collective and Varsity Voices.
- The Upper School Chorus offers the opportunity to perform without having to audition.
Music Department Highlights
- Students perform at the Fall, Winter and Spring Music Concerts at venues across the city.
- The Performing Arts Department joins forces with the Theatre Department to produce a musical.
Music Course Catalog
Middle School
Intro Band
Sixth-graders with limited or no prior experience can choose their instruments from flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone or percussion (drums AND mallet instruments).
MIDDLE SCHOOL SHOW CHOIRS
Non-Audition Middle School Choir
The Middle School Choir/Show Choir is a non-auditioned group in Trimester 1 (students joining the choir in Trimester 2 or 3 must audition). Students perform selections ranging from popular songs from television and movies, radio, etc., in addition to choral repertoire in various styles and languages. Trimester 1 focuses on building a foundation of musical terms, solfège, and rhythms. We encourage singers of all abilities in grades 6-8 to join this choir to explore choral music!
Middle School Show Choir
This advanced course promotes singing in a collaborative group. The class emphasizes teamwork, engaged participation and positive attitude, in addition to learning proper vocal technique. The choir will sing songs from a wide variety of styles, eras, and cultures, focusing on singing in two- and three-part music. This choir performs one to two times each trimester. Trimesters 2 and 3 center on more in-depth choral music learning with concentration on singing, choreography, and performance. Students perform in school concerts, with the possibility of travel to festivals or other events. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 1 Middle School Choir, or by audition and teacher approval.
Middle School Intro to Orchestra
The Middle School Intro to String Orchestra class offers sixth grade students’ instruction on violin, viola, cello, and string bass instruments, with a focus on the skills they need for long-term success. The course stresses musical fundamentals, such as proper posture and playing position, development of characteristic tone quality and training in music literacy. This class is ideal for students who were unable or only partially able to participate in an instrumental music class at a previous school. The Intro to String Orchestra class may also be ideal for those sixth graders with experience who may need a review and reinforcement of music reading, playing fundamentals and technique that are vital for lasting musical development. Students of any grade level are welcome. No audition is required for placement in the Introductory Strings; all that is necessary is the desire and motivation to study a musical instrument! Prerequisite: None; beginners welcome!
Middle School Band
Intermediate band is for seventh- and eighth-grade students with at least one year of experience. Intro Band students move into this band in Trimester 3. Instrument options include flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba or percussion. Prerequisite: At least one year of experience.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SHOW CHOIRS
Non-Audition Middle School Choir
The Middle School Choir/Show Choir is a non-auditioned group in Trimester 1 (students joining the choir in Trimester 2 or 3 must audition). Students perform selections ranging from popular songs from television and movies, radio, etc., in addition to choral repertoire in various styles and languages. Trimester 1 focuses on building a foundation of musical terms, solfège, and rhythms. We encourage singers of all abilities in grades 6-8 to join this choir to explore choral music!
Middle School Show Choir
This advanced course promotes singing in a collaborative group. The class emphasizes teamwork, engaged participation and positive attitude, in addition to learning proper vocal technique. The choir will sing songs from a wide variety of styles, eras, and cultures, focusing on singing in two- and three-part music. This choir performs one to two times each trimester. Trimesters 2 and 3 center on more in-depth choral music learning with concentration on singing, choreography, and performance. Students perform in school concerts, with the possibility of travel to festivals or other events. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Trimester 1 Middle School Choir, or by audition and teacher approval.
Middle School Orchestra
This course is for seventh and eighth grade students who already understand basic music reading, instrument assembly and maintenance, correct playing position and sound tone production. Instruction centers on the refinement of tone quality, technique, aural skills and music literacy. Placement in the Middle School String Orchestra is by audition that includes the following requirements:
Prerequisite: Completion of Intro to string Orchestra OR by audition.
Audition for MS Orchestra:
- Prepare a 1 to 3 octave scale.
- Prepare a musical selection. Or
- An excerpt from an orchestral piece
Upper School
Upper School Concert Band • Grades 9-12
This course is open to all high school students, with or without experience. Students learn the essential elements of music through hands-on experience of playing wind instruments, including flute, clarinet, trumpet, or trombone (other instruments may be available with teacher permission). Students learn note and rhythm reading and gain listening skills vital to playing in an ensemble in addition to critical skills for personal musicianship. Students also explore composition, chamber ensembles, and global music.
Upper School Jazz Band • Grades 9-12
Jazz Band is The Northwest School’s top-performing band, designed for students who have mastered the fundamentals of their instrument. In this course, students further develop their ability to read and improvise music, enhance their understanding of musicianship and artistic expression, and learn to collaborate effectively within the ensemble to prepare a standard jazz repertoire, in addition to contemporary pieces. The Jazz Band performs in required concerts each trimester. Prerequisite: annual audition for all students, new and returning
Upper School Beginning Choir • Grades 9-12
In this beginning-level ensemble students learn music in various styles and genres of choral music (classical, art music, spirituals, Broadway, and current mainstream music), and increase their depth of knowledge regarding music theory and sight-reading. Because this is a non- audition ensemble with many beginners, students learn the fundamentals of choral singing. Centered on global perspectives, students learn the historical and social context of music studied in the course. Because of the importance of community to The Northwest School’s mission, students also learn the value of working in a performing ensemble. Choral members are expected to participate in performances throughout the school year. Non-auditioned. All students interested in learning to sing or improve their skill are welcome.
Varsity Voices • (Intermediate Choir) Grades 9-12
In this intermediate-level ensemble, students learn music from various styles and genres of choral music (classical, art music, spirituals, Broadway, and current mainstream music). Students increase their depth of knowledge about music theory, calling upon increasingly complex sight-reading skills. Centered on global perspectives, students learn about the historical and social context of music studied in the course. Because of the importance of community to The Northwest School’s mission, students also learn the value of working in a performing ensemble. Because this is an auditioned-based ensemble, students learn and perform choral music that is more complex than that encountered by beginning choirs. With its emphasis on performance, the course requires students to perform in ensembles throughout the school year. Audition required, or by instructor approval.
Vocal Collective (Advanced Choir) • Grades 11-12
In this advanced-level ensemble, students study rigorous and increasingly challenging part music from various styles and genres of choral music (classical, art music, spirituals, Broadway, and current mainstream music), increasing their depth of knowledge regarding music theory and sight-reading. Because this is an audition-based ensemble, part independence is also required. Students in this ensemble must participate in multiple performances throughout the school year. Audition required.
House Band (Popular Music Ensemble) • Grades 9-12
Experienced musicians come together to form The Northwest School’s House Band. They study, perform, and ultimately write their own music in a wide range of popular styles, including folk, indie, pop, rock, bluegrass, and more. Students learn songwriting through the analysis and performance of music they choose, then collaboratively creating their own songs. The exploration of song form, melody, and lyric writing is complemented by developing skills of playing backup, adding fills and riffs, generating rhythm on any instrument, and creating original solos. The course partners with the VERA Project to learn tools essential to performing in a band, such as electrifying instruments, working with microphones, using amplification, and experimenting with effects such as looping, delay, and distortion. House Band members also learn the basics of arts management — how to find gigs, create contracts, self-promote, work with a recording studio, self-publish, and fundraise. The course culminates in a live concert by the band, produced by the VERA Project, performing covers of the songs studied alongside originals written in class. This concert is recorded as an album. Open to singers and instrumentalists with significant proficiency, grades 10–12 (and 9th with instructor permission), with preference given to 11th and 12th graders. Interested musicians must audition for placement each year.
Popular Musics • Grades 9-12
Students explore the history, language, and cultural significance of popular musics through a variety of creative approaches. Students learn to read music notation, analyze the structure of musical pieces, study the elements of great music, and develop skills in songwriting, piano and guitar, as well as learning digital audio workstation software. In addition to honing their technical abilities, students also practice key skills of active listening, critical thinking, independent work, and respectful discussion. No prior musical experience is necessary, though students should be prepared to work independently on materials outside of class.
Songwriting and Music Production Grades 11-12
Students take a deep dive into creating and organizing music with digital audio production software. This project-based class a variety of software applications to create and arrange music. Students learn how to manipulate music by creating medley mixes, re-arranging, and exploring the digital worlds of music, incorporating digital audio and MIDI to create music files. Students learn basic concepts on making beats and music patterns to be used in music production. Keyboard skills are helpful but not necessary. Songwriting and Music Production is a class that will require independent work and time management skills. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Upper School Popular Musics, or Instructor permission.
Upper School String Orchestra • Grades 9-12
The Upper School String Orchestra at The Northwest School is an intermediate performing group composed of students playing the major string instruments. Instruction concentrates on advanced technical and expressive skills in an ensemble-focused setting. The class is highly selective and requires more advanced reading, musicianship, and student responsibility. Placement in the Upper School Orchestra is based on audition and at the discretion of the director.
