Music

List of 4 items.

• Ensembles

  Instrumental and Vocal music ensembles are available during the academic day during a non-conflict period. Each group performs in multiple concerts and venues throughout the year, and their members are frequent participants in regional and state-wide music festivals.
  
  ENSEMBLE OFFERINGS 
  Ensembles are full-year courses with open enrollment
  at winter and spring trimesters. No prerequisite
  
  Jazz Ensemble
  Through intensive ensemble rehearsal, this class will
  provide members with the knowledge of and ability to
  perform music from the jazz, funk, Latin, and contemporary
  literature. Two rehearsals per week make this ½ class an
  easy addition to a musician’s academic schedule. The group focuses on ensemble playing of music of all styles, as well as improvisational and instrumental technique. The ensemble presents upwards of 6 concerts each year to enthusiastic audiences. All instrumental students are welcome to enroll, with occasional limitations based on instrumentation.
  
  Vocal Ensemble
  Through ensemble rehearsal, this class will provide members with the knowledge of and ability to perform music from many genres, including jazz, classical, madrigal, musical theater, spiritual, and contemporary literature. Two rehearsals per week make this ½ class an easy addition to a musician’s academic schedule. The group also works on vocal techniques. The ensemble presents upwards of 6 concerts each year. In addition, students are also eligible for off-campus festivals, such as the All-New England Choral Festival, Vermont All-State, and District Festivals.
  
  Chamber Music Ensemble
  This ensemble caters to the musicians at VA who are more
  interested in classical repertoire. Our group usually carries 10-15 members including strings, winds, brass, and other instruments where appropriate. Our literature includes arrangements of well-known classical pieces as well as examples of music from film and popular culture. Two rehearsals per week make this half class an easy addition to a musician’s academic schedule. This ensemble presents numerous concerts throughout the school year, adding balance to concert programs featuring Jazz and Vocal Ensembles.

• Music Curriculum

  Below is a sample of music courses available at Vermont Academy
  
  Introduction to Electronic Music

  
  Students enrolled in Introduction to Electronic Music course discover a broad scope of concepts related to electronic music, sound recording, music technology, and STEM. Students in this course will work through a diverse set of music and technology-related activities, where they have the opportunity to build their own instruments, learn about the audio sound systems on campus, learn how to record themselves or a student band, compose an original piece of music, repair a broken instrument or amp, or unlock the secrets of wireless transmission. This is an excellent course for a student interested in pursuing any field of music technology, electronics, musical experimentation, or STEM.
  
  Music Appreciation

  
  Music Appreciation is a course designed to teach listening skills with the intention of providing historical and culturally relevant information about music throughout history. The course begins with an overview of the basic elements of music with a focus on active listening and continues with units covering many musical styles and periods including music from antiquity through the 20th century, including contemporary pop, rock, and jazz music. Students will participate in ‘music sharing’ days where they will prepare and share information about their personal interests in music, as well as attend numerous live music events throughout the term. This course offers students the opportunity to share and explore music from all genres, with an emphasis on listening techniques, diverse musical exposure, and many cultural influences in music.
  
  Music Workshop

  
  Music Workshop is a course which allows students to pursue individual and small group self-designed musical goals.  Topics include but are not limited to musical performance, music appreciation, music technology, and music composition.  Students will research, practice, and share progress on their topics throughout the term, as well as participate in weekly large group musical activities. Included is a study of basic musical functions, instruments, rhythm, and compositional techniques.  
  
  Advanced Music

   

  This full-year course allows students to pursue their individual performance, technical, or compositional goals, and to develop the skills and repertoire necessary to gain acceptance to college music programs. Available only to seniors with application and instructor permission. 

• Lessons

  Vermont Academy’s music lesson program offers students with an interest in performance a chance to study their instrument as part of their academic regiment. Students:
  

  • take a lesson with a private teacher once a week during the academic day
  • earn academic credit for their lessons
  • have access to practice rooms, lockers, and listening resources.

  These lesson students benefit from the outstanding teaching and musicianship brought to Vermont Academy by our staff of adjunct music teachers, who organize a culminating recital at the end of each trimester.

• Music Resources

  • Keyed Practice Rooms
  • Bechstein Concert Grand Piano
  • Konabe 6” Grand Piano
  • 6 Yamaha Upright Pianos
  • Drum Studio
  • Recording Studio
  • Horowitz Performing Arts Hall
  • Lockers for Instrument Storage
  • Listening Stations
  • Instrumental Loans
  • Large Library of Printed and Recorded Music
  • Professional Performers as Teaching Faculty