There were no lessons beyond ES for instruments in our cluster (Einstein), so many kids do take private lessons, but it isn't necessary. My kids have both loved band (now MS and HS) and we've never done private lessons. They just get better on their own through ensemble play in school and solo practice at home. Sligo and Einstein have incredible band/orchestra teachers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What if you kid plays an instrument not typically part of an orchestra or band, can they join one of the ensembles at school; meaning teacher doesn't have to provide weekly or daily lessons but kid plays together with other students for fun and concerts. Kid takes lessons outside school.

It depends on the teacher. In MS and HS, generally they can play it in the orchestra, no issue. In ES, it's teacher dependent. Our child did one of the approved instruments but teacher let them do their main one at the concert. There are no daily lessons, only weekly in elementary school. In MS and HS there are no lessons, just general orchestra.

What are the approved instruments?

It depends on the teacher and amount of time they have.

What if you are already taking private lessons for an instrument? Do you continue with lessons at school for the same instrument? This is for ES.

You can, but some people learn a new instrument in ES and continue with private lessons in their main instrument. So they may take private violin lessons, and do an outside orchestra, but play clarinet in elementary school.

Based on our experience with music in ES, I probably wouldn’t bother having my kid do in-school music if they were already doing private lessons. I would wait until MS when they could do band or orchestra as a class. Unless, like the PP said, you wanted them to learn a different instrument in school, but then you have a lot more practicing to do.

I disagree. My kid had outside lessons but doing IM at school for the same instrument was a nice compliment, because they would not have had ensemble experience otherwise (at least until middle school). I mean, learning a second instrument is great, but it's also nice being an advanced player in your elementary school orchestra, maybe getting the opportunity to do a solo. For many kids that age it's their first performance before a big audience even if they have outside lessons.

Also missing the class period was NBD.

Some middle schools don’t have any chorus classes. Expect it to be a dumping ground unless it’s an audition only class. Counselors think anyone can sing and dump kids in all year long. They’ll claim other electives are full.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where can we find info on high school chorus? Are they audition only?

There is generally a chorus that does not require audition, and then higher groups that do

At HS level? How about in MS, is it just one chorus or is there one for more advanced singers who take private lessons.

It varies by school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where can we find info on high school chorus? Are they audition only?

There is generally a chorus that does not require audition, and then higher groups that do

At HS level? How about in MS, is it just one chorus or is there one for more advanced singers who take private lessons.

At our MS there is only one level official chorus, but then there are acapella groups by audition for more advanced singers
High school has more options like Madrigals, Show Choir, etc

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where can we find info on high school chorus? Are they audition only?

There is generally a chorus that does not require audition, and then higher groups that do

At HS level? How about in MS, is it just one chorus or is there one for more advanced singers who take private lessons.

Anonymous wrote:Where can we find info on high school chorus? Are they audition only?

There is generally a chorus that does not require audition, and then higher groups that do

Blake and Einstein have dance

Anonymous wrote:Is dance under Music and Arts? Do all HS have dance programs? Or only at select HS?

Loiderman MS has dance

Is dance under Music and Arts? Do all HS have dance programs? Or only at select HS?

Where can we find info on high school chorus? Are they audition only?