Intermediate Chorus is open to students who wish to be in a music ensemble and develop their vocal skills. No prior chorus experience is required, just an interest in singing with others. Emphasis is on preparing for our concerts, practicing vocal technique, learning to read music, as well as small-group and solo opportunities. Curriculum includes music games, rhythm work, ear training, and singing music from a broad range of choral literature including musical theater, popular, classical, folk, and jazz styles in two and three-part harmony. These experiences help students create social bonds and to build aural perception, perseverance, attention to details, expressiveness, and to develop skills that will foster collaboration as well as build confidence for presentations or singing throughout life. The Chorus traditionally performs in three evening concerts, plus our annual all-day spring trip. 

Intermediate Orchestra is a performance ensemble for the developing orchestra student. The class is open to any student who studied violin or cello in 5th grade, or anyone who would like to learn to play violin, viola, cello or double bass, even if they have no previous experience. The school can provide instruments for this class, or families may choose to purchase or rent an instrument for their child. Students in the Intermediate Orchestra will study, practice, and perform a wide variety of musical literature, with an emphasis on developing musical skills including tone production, technical facility, and musical notation reading skills. This helps to develop students’ fine motor and gross motor control, aural perception, patience, perseverance, cognitive skills, teamwork, and emotional awareness. The orchestra performs in at least two evening concerts during the course of the year, in addition to special events in the community, on campus, at inter-school festivals, and competitions including an annual spring trip. 

This group consists of 1st time players (brand new) and players that have been playing their instrument for one year. The class is a collaborative music group that includes these instruments; woodwind family (flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, Alto/Tenor/Baritone Saxophones) brass family (trumpet, trombone, french horn, baritone, or tuba), or percussion family (snare drum, bass drum, and xylophone). The school can provide instruments for this class, or families may choose to purchase or rent an instrument for their child. Instruction includes instrument responsibility, producing a high quality musical sound, reading music, performance skills, teamwork, and musical expression. This class helps to develop students’ motor skills, patience, perseverance, cognitive skills, social skills, and emotional awareness. Students perform at a handful of evening concerts throughout the year and participate in an annual music department spring trip.

The Advanced Orchestra is a performing ensemble designed to further develop high level musical skills for 7th and 8th grade orchestra students. This course builds on skills established in previous years and develops orchestral techniques, musicianship and music reading. Students in the Advanced Orchestra will study, practice and perform a wide variety of literature, with an emphasis on a high artistic level of performance. The orchestra performs in at least two evening concerts during the course of the year, in addition to several special events in the community, on campus, at inter-school festivals, and competitions including an annual spring trip. String players who have been learning their instrument privately for at least two years are also welcome to join, even if they have not previously been a member of White Hill Orchestras.

Our 7th and 8th grade Advanced Chorus is for singers who wish to continue developing their singing technique in a choral ensemble. You are not required to have sung in Intermediate Chorus to sign up. The instructional emphasis will be on vocal technique, reading music notation and advanced levels of choral performance. Curriculum will include music games and songs in a wide variety of styles, cultures, languages and time periods performed in two-, three-, and four-part harmony, plus songs for fun. Students will have the opportunity to sing solos and participate in small ensembles. Chorus students traditionally perform in three evening concerts, performances in the community, as well as our annual all-day spring trip. Members of the group will be encouraged to audition for regional honor choirs and participate in regional choral festivals.

Symphonic Band is an advanced concert band class open to anyone with prior experience playing a band instrument at the middle school level. Students perform at a handful of evening concerts throughout the year, a music festival, and participate in an annual spring trip. Symphonic Band is appropriate for 7th or 8th graders who want to further advance their study of music. Students will work on a variety of skills that include intonation, accuracy of rhythm, articulations, phrasing and style characteristics. With the exception of percussion and extremely large instruments, students are expected to provide their own instrument for this class. However, some district-owned instruments are available and loaned to students who request assistance.

The White Hill 7:15 AM Jazz Band is the most elite band class offered at White Hill. The group has received numerous awards and superior ratings at competitive music festivals across the state and beyond. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of genres covering swing, bebop, funk, Latin, blues, fusion, and pop. Performances include multiple concerts and festivals throughout the year along with participation in the annual music department spring trip. Students are expected to make time available for home practice. This class starts at 7:15 am. Audition required for enrollment. Co-enrollment in Symphonic Band, Advanced Orchestra, Concert Band or Chorus is required.