Music

Orchestra, Concert Band, and Concert Choir

These ensembles are open to string, woodwind, brass, percussion, and vocal students of all levels. Three terms of enrollment and consistent participation in these ensembles, through the school’s three-term concert season, satisfies the performing arts requirement.

Concert Band: Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion

The Concert Band is comprised of students, faculty, and some community members. The Concert Band studies classic, modern, and “pops” literature, and performs throughout the year.

Orchestra: Strings, Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion

The Orchestra is comprised of students, faculty, and some community members. During rehearsals, the string players focus on sectional work and string orchestra literature. The orchestra studies classical, modern and “pops” literature and performs throughout the year. Prerequisite: Developing String Ensemble or previous ensemble experience.

Jazz Band

This group studies and performs a range of classic and current jazz literature. Prerequisite and concurrent enrollment: Concert Band and/or piano or guitar lessons.

 

Concert Choir

The Choir is our large, mixed choral ensemble. This graded course gives students a wonderful opportunity to work on quality choral singing techniques and learn exciting choral repertoire. New and experienced singers will enjoy the powerful feeling of singing with this larger group. 

Chamber Choir

Chamber Choir is an advanced level, auditioned mixed choir. This ensemble offers an opportunity to experience challenging choral music in a smaller group setting; Chamber Choir has several on- and off-campus performances throughout the year, including opportunities for competitive performance; ability to read music is required. (Singers also participate in Concert Choir.)

The Kentones and The Kentettes

Kent School offers a fun and exciting a cappella choir program, the Kentones and the Kentettes. This auditioned program is designed to add to the students’ musical education to give singers an opportunity to experience the joy and satisfaction of a cappella singing. These ensembles have several on and off-campus performances throughout the year, including competitive performance opportunities; ability to read music is encouraged. (Singers also participate in Concert Choir.)

Vox Nova

Kent School offers a fun and exciting a cappella choir program, the Kentones and the Kentettes. This select, auditioned program is designed to add to the students’ musical education to give singers an opportunity to experience the joy and satisfaction of a cappella singing. These ensembles have several on and off-campus performances throughout the year, including competitive performance opportunities; ability to read music is encouraged. (Singers also participate in Concert Choir).

St. Joseph’s Chapel Choir

The St. Joseph’s Chapel Choir is an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to come together during weekday morning chapel services, leading the singing of Hymns for the congregation. This is an informal choir — no audition or rehearsals required — designed to bring our community together in song. All are welcome.

Cantor Program

The Cantor Program offers an opportunity for vocal and choral students to act as individual leaders of song, assisting the Chapel Choir and our Congregation in learning and singing Hymns for our weekday chapel services.

Musical Offering

Musical Offering chapel services, which take place twice per term, are a way for individual singers and musicians, as well as duos, trios, and other small groups, to perform in Chapel. Generally, performers should be taking private lessons and/or participating in a musical ensemble; however, all interested musicians are welcome to audition with Mrs. Kovacs.

Smaller instrumental ensembles are formed and coached according to student interest and ability. This program has included, but is not limited to: Clarinet Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, Chamber Strings Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, “jazz combos,” and piano trios/quartets. Performance opportunities for these groups occur throughout the year, both on and off campus.

Lessons are encouraged for all instrumental and vocal students, beginner through advanced. We offer private lessons in:

• Voice
• Piano
• Organ
• Guitar
• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Double bass
• Flute
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• French horn
• Tuba
• Saxophone
• Bassoon
• Oboe
• Clarinet
• Electric guitar
• Electric bass
• Bercussion
• bagpipes

 

Music History and Appreciation

Musical concepts and terminology are studied and applied as students gain a greater understanding of selected musical masterworks through active listening. Engaging, creative activities foster the appreciation of music as an expressive and structural art form. 

Perspectives in Jazz

The origins and development of jazz as a musical genre will be examined. From its African-influenced roots to its modern-day amalgamation of styles, jazz as a means of musical expression will be researched and analyzed. Students will be exposed to the experience of listening to jazz in its various historical adaptations.

The Blues: A Musical Journey

The origins, evolution, and influence of the blues as a musical art form through its impact on American culture and society will be explored. The course will be based on lectures, listening examples, lyric readings and analysis, and associated references.

An Exploration of Rock-N-Roll

The history and evolution of rock music will be examined through analysis, cultural and historical alignment, listening, and its impact on society. The rock era will be divided into various periods and discussions of influential musical artists and their work will be explored. 

Music Theory I

Students learn the elemental concepts of music theory, including basic notation, intervals, scale structures, key signatures, triads, basic chord progressions, and the first stage of melodic and harmonic analysis. Music theory skills (sight singing, dictation, and ear training) and composition basics are an integral part of this course.

Music Theory II

Melodic and harmonic analysis continues with the introduction of more intermediate concepts such as secondary triads. Students arrange music for small ensembles, gain knowledge about orchestral instruments, and begin full score reading and conducting. Music theory skills continue. Prerequisite: Music Theory I.

Music Theory III

In this continuation of Music Theory II, students are introduced to chromatic harmony, functional seventh chords, key modulation, and analysis of small forms. Music theory skills are further developed, and students may elect to take the Advanced Placement Test in Music Theory. Student compositions are performed at the conclusion of the term. Prerequisite: Music Theory II.

Music Technology I

An examination of live sound applications and the set-up and operation of sound reinforcement and public address equipment. Topics include Acoustics and the Science of Sound, Sound Reproduction and Recording Medium, Audio Equipment Operation and Care, Sound Production and Reinforcement, and Ethical and Legal Issues. No prerequisite.

Music Technology II

his course serves as an introduction to the equipment and methods used in software-based music composition, arranging, and multi-track recording. Students will create original musical projects. Topics include Electronic Composition, Sound Production Techniques, Acid Music Studio 8.0, ProTools, Cubase, SONOR, and MIDI. Prerequisite: Music Technology I.

Music Technology III

his course is a continuation of Music Technology II and includes advanced recording and post-production techniques. In addition, music promotion and marketing methods will be examined. Topics include Advanced Studio Production Techniques, Film Scoring, Mastering and Post-Production, and Promotion and Marketing. Prerequisite: Music Technology II.