Instrumental Music
Orchestra Class
Orchestra is a performing ensemble for students with at least one year of experience playing. Instrumentation includes: violin, viola, cello, double bass, and piano. Students will perform in concerts in both the fall and spring semesters and may require rehearsals outside of the school day.
We will focus on both standard string orchestra literature and new repertoire. There will be elements of music theory and music history as we study how music related to society at the time in which it was written. Students will develop in the areas of instrument technique, tone production, tuning, fundamentals of music theory, music reading, and listening skills. Students will also learn to compose and perform original pieces.
Students will also have the opportunity to participate in chamber ensembles and to audition and perform in Honor Orchestra. This class can be taken multiple times.
Wind Symphony
This course provides instruction in the advanced fundamentals of wind performance. Emphasis is placed on tone quality, intonation, phrasing, breathing, technique, reading, listening, and goal setting. This class is designed for the advanced student. We will focus on both standard wind band literature and new repertoire. There will be elements of music theory and music history as we study how music related to society at the time in which it was written. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in chamber ensembles and to audition and perform in Honor Bands. Instrumentation includes: flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and concert percussion. Students will perform in concert in both the fall and spring semesters and may require rehearsals outside of the school day. Our performance at a national music festival is required as part of the overall performance grade. Specified days of Cougar period are required.
Vocal Music
Choir
Students will learn to sing and perform a variety of music from Musical Theater to sacred choral music. Students in this class sing for weekly mass, HSP's Gala, confirmation, and graduation as well as for several concerts throughout the year. Students in the class will also have the opportunity to perform in the Upper School musicals and play.
In this vocal performance class, students will apply vocal technique to perform pieces ranging from musical theater, Gregorian chant, Sacred polyphony and others. Students will develop skills in audition prep, music theory, sight reading, vocal technique, performance technique in order to hone their skills for college and beyond! Vocal performance is interdisciplinary; students apply history, math, writing, art and others to improve their performances and understanding of the pieces.
Lessons
Ascension Music Academy (AMA)
Holy Spirit Prep will partner with the Ascension Music Academy (AMA) to offer private lessons on all band and orchestra instruments. They will also offer instruction in piano, music theory and composition, and offer ensemble coaching, and college/honor band audition preparation and recording, all with the convenience of never having to leave campus. AMA instructors will help your student set personal goals and construct an individualized curriculum for each student to help meet those goals.