Calendar of Music Performances 2008-2009

For most groups the rehearsal/performance calendar for the 2008-2009 school year will be announced at the start of school in August.

AIS Symphony Orchestra

• Grades: 6 to 12 (based on ability/experience; audition required)
  • Fee: None. Student provides instrument, AIS provides music.
  • Teacher/Conductor: Dr. Ronald L. Howard, rhoward@aischool.org
  • Meeting Times: Most Mondays, 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. Performance calendar announced in August.

Details: The AIS Symphony Orchestra is the newest and most prestigious instrumental ensemble at the school. Membership is by audition only. Membership in the Orchestra is also open, through arrangement with Dr. Howard, to interested and qualified parent/teacher/staff members of our AIS community, provided that rehearsals can be attended with reasonable regularity.

Concerts will be performed throughout the year. The organization has an aggressive schedule planned for 2008-2009 and students interested in membership must be willing to commit to the time required for rehearsals as well as individual preparation. Students aspiring to membership in the AIS Symphony Orchestra should consider participation in the Orchestra as a major commitment for the entire school year and should not schedule any other school activities or events on Monday afternoons or on nights designated for concerts.

All instrumental students must take private or semi-private lessons. Please see the information on Private Music Lessons.

Auditions: Membership in Symphony Orchestra requires a high level of personal commitment from each student. All performers interested in membership in the AIS Symphony Orchestra are required to audition with Dr. Howard. The dates set aside for the auditions (which take approximately five minutes each) will be held during the week of September 2-5 after school.

Bands

• •Grades: 4 to 12
  • Fee: None. Student provides instrument, AIS provides music.
  • Teacher/Conductor: Dr. Ronald L. Howard, rhoward@aischool.org
  • Meeting Times:
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  • Primary School Band (Grade 4, 5 or first-year band students) meets Wednesdays, 2:55 to 3:40 p.m. (Students who were in Grade 4 during 2007-2008 will perform with the Middle School Symphonic Band; see description below.)
  • Middle School Symphonic Band (Grades 5 to 8) meets during the regular school day on Tuesdays, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
  • Upper School Jazz Band (Grades 9 to 12) meets during the regular school day on Thursdays, 2:30 to 4 p.m.
  • Performance calendar for all band ensembles announced in August.

Details: Band instruction at AIS begins in Grade 4 or 5. Students in Grade 6 and beyond may elect private study until an adequate level of proficiency is reached for joining one of the large performing ensembles. Students must audition for band (see above) or have a minimum of one year of experience. US Jazz Band membership is by audition and/or invitation only, based on ability/experience. All students must audition for US Jazz Band in September, regardless of prior experience or membership in this band. Concerts will be performed throughout the year.

All instrumental students must take private or semi-private lessons. Please see the information on Private Music Lessons.

Special Note for Primary School Beginning Band: PLEASE DO NOT sign up for private study or commit to an instrument until the time of the first class meeting. Recruitment and demonstration week is set for September 15 to 19. Details will be announced in August. Dr. Howard and Mr. Soskin will demonstrate all available instruments (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, percussion) for beginning students. All students will have ample opportunity to try out all instruments.

Choirs

• Grades: 4 to 5
  • Fee: None. AIS provides music.
  • Teacher: Ms. Karen Peters, kpeters@aischool.org
  • Meeting Times: Mondays and Thursdays, 2:45 to 3:30 p.m.
• 
  • Grades: 6 to 12
  • Fee: None. AIS provides music.
  • Teacher: Ms. Leona Greenlaw, lgreenlaw@aischool.org
  • Meeting Times:
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  • Middle School Chorus (Grades 6 to 8) meets during the regular school day on Tuesdays, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
  • Upper School Chorus (Grades 9 to 12) meets during the regular school day on Thursdays, 2:30 to 4 p.m.
  • Honors Chorus (Grades 6 to 12) meets on a schedule to be determined in August.

Details: Primary, Middle and Upper School choirs will perform for the school and community several times throughout the year. Sight-reading, basic musicianship and vocal technique will be stressed during rehearsals. Chorus members must audition and/or have approval of the conductor for membership. Details will be announced in August and concerts will be performed throughout the year.

With regard to the Honors Chorus. admittance is by audition only. Details about attendance contracts and audition criteria will be refined and honed during the first few weeks of school.

Strings

• Grades: 1 to 5
  • Fee: None. Student provides instrument, AIS provides music.
  • Teacher: Ms. Herrad Welp, hewelp@aischool.org
  • Meeting Times:
  • Beginners' Strings meets on Mondays from 2:50 to 3:20 p.m. and Thursdays from 3:15 to 4 p.m.
  • Intermediate and Advanced Strings meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15 to 4 p.m.
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  • Grades: 6 to 12
  • Fee: None. Student provides instrument, AIS provides music.
  • Teacher: Mr. David Tyberg, dtyberg@aischool.org
  • Meeting Times:
  • Middle School Strings meets during the regular school day on Tuesdays, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
  • Upper School Strings meets during the regular school day on Thursdays, 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Details: The Primary School string groups are open to all PS children from Grades 1 to 5 who take private lessons learning one of the following string instruments: violin, viola, cello or harp. Instructors teach using the Suzuki method. Private lessons are required because instead of learning new repertoires instructors work with the common Suzuki repertoire that the children then bring to group lesson. Participants will be grouped according to their level of playing: beginning, intermediate, or advanced. Students will improve their ensemble playing and accompaniment skills within their group and will also play together as a whole. Concerts will be performed throughout the year.

Middle and Upper School Strings students study appropriate literature in class settings and also are eligible and expected, through audition, to perform with the AIS Symphony Orchestra (see above.)

AIS Chamber Players

• A community-wide program open to all musicians with experience.
  • Fee: None. Student provides instrument, AIS provides music.
  • Teacher: Various
  • Meeting Times: Small chamber solos and ensembles are an integral part of the AIS music program. Groups will meet through private lesson instructional settings.

Sing Along Class

• Grades: 1-2
• Days/Times: Wednesday 2:50 - 3:30 p.m.
• Location: Music Room SAC 203
• Instructor: Karen Peters
• Fee: Materials Only - songbook $10.00
• First meeting will be September 24, 2008
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  Students will sing a variety of folk, popular, and classical songs and build a repertoire that will bring life long enjoyment, sharing with family and friends. Ms. Karen will meet the students on their floor in the primary school building and escort them to the music room. Parents meet their student in the foyer outside the music rooms in the SAC.