Celestials Voices is the advanced level chorus for girls, ages 10 to 12. Singers should have prior musical training and be ready for a higher challenge. Instruction includes vocal technique, advanced ear training, and music theory. The singers perform music, both a cappella and accompanied, in three-part harmony.
Comets is the chorus for boys, ages 9 and up. The Comets are currently rehearsing with Starlights, however, as the program gains more singers, the Comets will break away from Starlights, holding their own rehearsals and singing their own repertoire.
Starlights is the entry level chorus for girls, ages 9 through middle school.
Children that participate as Caroling Kids in the fall become Twinkling Stars in the spring. Emphasis is placed on learning traditional songs, including American and multi-cultural folk songs and popular classics, and some new compositions as well. Several performances occur at the end of the semester and usually include singing at the malls and retirement homes.
The SJYS Percussion Ensemble offers an opportunity for percussionists to perform percussion ensemble music from the 20th and 21st centuries, and performs regularly each season. Members are encouraged to play many different percussion instruments including timpani, snare drum, bass drum, accessory instruments, xylophone, marimba, and ethnic percussion. Students are taught valuable chamber music skills and instructed on performing techniques, proper set-up of multiple percussion parts, playing advanced rhythms and taking care of instruments.
The Concert Wind Ensemble is designed to develop the overall ability of the young woodwind and brass musicians. Students in this ensemble will perform band works at a grade 2-4 which is standard for most middle school ensembles. Concert Winds is also designed for the more proficient high school/middle school musician desiring to learn a new instrument to enhance the ensemble instrumentation and balance in their current school program. Students will have the opportunity to work in smaller ensembles and will perform 2-3 times during the year.
We offer two string orchestras as training preparation to play in the larger Symphonic Orchestras: Intermezzo Strings and Prelude Strings. Visit our website to learn about rehearsal locations and audition requirements.
Emphasis is placed on more complex and challenging music, in addition to more demanding expectations for the refinement of sight-singing skills. Comprehension and vocalizing of musical phrasing is more complex at this level. Vocal technique is expected to become more consistent, and greater agility and practice are necessary to hear and learn music in more foreign languages. There are high expectations for the development of chorister independence in work ethic and also in rehearsal techniques.