Music

Prerequisites: One year of school band (5th grade) and basic note-reading skills.

Contact Ms. Ninee if your student is interested but does not meet these requirements.

This year-long course offers free instruction on all major brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments to help students expand their musical abilities. Throughout the year, musicians will master reading music notation (rhythms, pitches, and vocabulary), tuning, ensemble blending, and producing a characteristic tone on their specific instrument.

Students must provide their own instrument. These can typically be rented from a local music store or the school. Students should also be prepared to commit to daily home practice. Please note that concert participation is a mandatory, graded component of the curriculum. Additionally, all students are required to maintain a dedicated Band-only binder for daily classes and live performances.

Prerequisites: Two years of school band (5th and 6th grade) and proficient note-reading skills.

Building on the foundation of 6th Grade Band, this year-long course introduces more independent parts and complex rhythms. Students will focus on refining their tone quality, technique, aural skills, and overall music literacy. This class is designed for long-term growth, and students may participate in this ensemble for up to two years.

Students must provide their own instrument. These can typically be rented from a local music store or the school. Students should also be prepared to commit to daily home practice. Please note that concert participation is a mandatory, graded component of the curriculum. Additionally, all students are required to maintain a dedicated Band-only binder for daily classes and live performances.

Prerequisites: Two years of school band (5th and 6th grade) and strong note-reading skills. (Placement is based on an audition as well as exceptional effort demonstrated in 6th Grade or Concert Band.)

Instruction concentrates on advanced technical and expressive skills in an ensemble-focused setting. Students will apply all previously mastered techniques as they prepare for several high-profile performances throughout the year. Musicians have the opportunity to tour elementary schools in the fall, perform at the Chinook Region Large Group Festival in April, and, if selected, participate in the North Thurston Honor Band.

As with our other ensembles, participation in all concerts is required and is a key part of the student's grade. Students must provide an instrument and should be prepared to commit to daily practice to meet the advanced demands of the repertoire. Additionally, all students must maintain a dedicated, Band-only binder for use during classes and performances. This ensemble is designed for accelerated growth, and students may participate for up to two years.

Prerequisites: Open to all music students.
Jazz Band is a club that meets during Wolf Pack Time and is open to all students currently enrolled in the music program.

This group is ideal for self-motivated, self-reliant musicians eager to learn and perform in a variety of musical settings.

In addition to regular school band concerts, the Jazz Band performs at the CMEA Jazz Festival in February and the Wooden Boat Festival in May. This club provides a wonderful opportunity for students to expand their musical horizons and take on new performance challenges throughout the school year.
 

Please consult with Ms. Ninee regarding your instrument selection, as final choices depend on the ensemble's current needs and balance. Students may choose from any of the following instruments. Please note that availability is subject to the KMS inventory and local music stores.

Woodwinds: Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, and Bari Saxophone.

Brass: Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone/Euphonium, and Tuba.

Percussion: Students will need a snare drum and bell kit for home practice. They should also provide a stick bag containing mallets for timpani, snare drum, and xylophone. While at school, percussionists will perform on the larger instruments provided by Komachin.

Jazz Band Additions: In addition to the instruments listed above, Jazz Band students may play guitar, electric bass, and drum set.

Students may select any of the following instruments to learn (depending on availability at Komachin and/or local music stores):

• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• String bass

Experience required: one year of school orchestra (5th grade) and basic note-reading skills. (Contact Mrs. Schooler if your student is interested in joining but does not meet the requirements.)

6th Grade Orchestra is a year-long class where orchestra students will expand their string skills including tuning themselves, expanding knowledge of notes, rhythms, and bowing styles. Students are required to have an instrument which can typically be rented from a music store or school and should be willing to commit to daily practice. Participation in concerts is required and is part of the students’ grade in the course. All students must have an Orchestra-only binder to be used for our classes and concerts.

Experience required: two years of school orchestra (5th and 6th grade) and note-reading skills.

Continue expanding on the skills developed in 6th grade Orchestra—shifting, vibrato, bowing styles and focus on the refinement of tone quality, technique, aural skills and music literacy. Students are required to have an instrument which can typically be rented from a music store or the school and should be willing to commit to daily practice. Participation in concerts is required and is part of the students’ grade in the course. All students must have an Orchestra-only binder to be used for our classes and concerts. Students may be in this orchestra for two years.
 

Experience required: two years of school orchestra and solid note-reading skills (students are placed in this class based on exceptional effort seen during their time in 6th Grade Orchestra and/or Intermediate Orchestra).

Instruction concentrates on advanced technical and expressive skills in an ensemble-focused setting, applying all previously learned skills and techniques. Each year we begin with a new/review of vibrato and shifting (the main skills of Intermediate Orchestra). Symphonic students will have the opportunity to travel to the elementary schools to present concerts (December), to perform at the Chinook Region Orchestra Festival (March), and, if selected, members will perform in the North Thurston 8th Grade Honors Orchestra (May). Participation in concerts is required and is part of the students’ grade in the course. All students must have an Orchestra-only binder to be used for our classes and concerts. Students may be in this orchestra for two years.