First Colony Homeschool Ensembles

The Treble Choir is a choral group for the elementary aged boy or girl. (Auditions are not required.) Through the use of games, activities, and singing we have fun while learning about music and how to sing. Although every effort is made to make learning fun, this is primarily a choral learning experience. The choir only performs two or three times a semester. Learning how to identify and begin note reading, rhythmic reading, using dynamics and singing musically are important musical concepts which are taught. Our repertoire, though varied and age appropriate, includes classical music, hymns, and anthems written for treble voices. This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to experience the joy of music through active participation with other children.

The Jubilate Chorale is a chance for middle and high school students to come together and make music.  In this ensemble students will work hard to develop skills in reading music, singing technique, and choral discipline in a fun environment.  The spectrum of literature ranges from classical to current music including composers such as J.S. Bach and contemporary arrangers such as John Rutter and Tom Fettke.  While some of the music is challenging, the hard work is often rewarding, and we make sure that the learning process is always enjoyable.  Our goal is to remember that Christ is the reason that we sing, and we attempt to glorify Him through excellence in our music making.

The Alleluia Ringers is an begining bell choir for students third grade and older who desire to ring handbells or who still need to develop their ringing and rhythmic sight-reading skills. Basic Handbell ringing techniques are introduced and rehearsed. Basic rhythmic drills are incorporated into the rehearsal to help teach and improve the ability to perform rhythmic ringing by sight instead of by rote. Ringers are taught to change bells as called for in the music and ringers are asked to change ringing assignments and positions depending on the requirements and challenges of each piece of music. Placement in the choir is at the discretion of the director. Individual handbell assignments are made according to musical ability and experience. Faithful and consistent attendance is expected from all ringers. Repertoire is made up of hymn arrangements, classical music arrangements, and music written especially for handbells.

The guitar class will use Christian music, hymns, folk songs, and some popular songs to teach the student to play chords and melodies.  Students will also learn to use varied picking styles.  More advanced students will learn "bar chords" and chords in higher positions. 

*Please note, instruments are not included in your class tuition and fees.

The objective of this class is for students to gain exposure into classical music. It will focus heavily on listening, and will include some music history. We will go through the different periods of music from the Baroque period to 20th Century, and introduce the key composers for each period. This will be a two year course - the first year is entitled "Composers and Their Symphonies", and the second year is "Composers and Their Instruments". These two years will not build upon each other, so that new students can start the class on either year. My goal is for the students to have listened to all the well known repertoire of classical music by the end of their studies.  Music Appreciation I will be geared for students 3^rd- 6^th grade.  Music Appreciation 2 is for students 7^th- 12^th grade.