Music in the Secondary School
Music in the Secondary School By Tomáš Škraban
Besides the compulsory timetabled music lessons in the secondary school there are also other music activities for all the students who are passionate for music: choir singing, orchestra, big band and string quartet.
Choir meets once a week (Mondays) during lunchtime breaks in Aula Elgar. When working towards a concert at Christmas or in the late spring some extra rehearsals are scheduled after school. All students are invited to attend, including boys! The choir sings a varied repertoire of unison and two and three part harmonies. Soloists are encouraged.
Orchestra meets once a week (Tuesdays) during lunchtime breaks in Aula Elgar. All secondary school students with some experience in playing the orchestra instruments (strings, woodwinds, brasses, percussions) are invited to attend the orchestra. The orchestra plays a varied repertoire of classical, film, or modern – contemporary music. Big Band meets once a week (Thursdays) during lunchtime breaks in Aula Elgar. All secondary school students with some experience in playing the following instruments: trumpet, trombone, saxophone, French horn, tuba, percussion instruments are welcome to join the group. The Big Band plays a varied repertoire of classical, jazz, rock-jazz, Latin-jazz or Funk-jazz pieces. For some pieces we are having a singer and for nearly each piece soloists are encouraged.
String quartet meets once a week (Thursdays) during lunchtime breaks in Aula Verdi. All secondary school students with an advanced level in playing the following instruments: violin, viola, cello, double bass are welcome to join this newly formed group. From September 2017 on we are starting a new curricular course “INSTRUMENTAL GROUP CLASS” – an optional subject for all the students of the 1st classes of the secondary cycle to offer
more musical activities. The allocation of the instrumental class is 2 hours per week containing the training on the musical instrument and rehearsing together. The lessons will take place on Friday afternoon (6th and 7th period, i.e. 13.5014.35 and 14.40-15.25).
The course can be attended by anyone eager for music, playing any musical instrument, also beginners or non-players are welcome! The students of the instrumental class should then participate in all music activities of the class: rehearsals, trips, concerts.
