Music at Nathan Hale

Read more about what is happening in Nathan Hale’s music program on the Music Website.

We are looking forward to welcoming our incoming students to the Nathan Hale Music Department! Auditions for the 2021-2022 school year will take place in Spring of 2021. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Nathan Hale Music Courses

The ensemble and course offerings at Nathan Hale are designed to provide a comprehensive and challenging musical experience for every student. From the traditional to the experimental, we provide our students with engaging opportunities for creative expression.

Semester-Long Non Ensemble Courses

Guitar Lab
Prerequisite: None
Students in Guitar Lab will learn the necessary skills and concepts to gain a foundational proficiency at the acoustic guitar. This course is designed for students with little to no musical experience.

Piano Lab (not available to freshman)
Prerequisite: None
Students in Piano Lab will learn the necessary skills and concepts to gain a foundational proficiency on the piano keyboard. This course is designed for students with little to no musical experience

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Year-Long Ensemble Courses

Concert Choir
Prerequisite: None
Students in this year-long course participate in a beginning to intermediate choral performing ensemble that performs quality choral literature from a variety of genres and cultures. Students learn vocal technique and musicianship skills. Students perform in school concerts and regional festivals. If you’re new to singing or have always wanted to try, Concert Choir is for you!

Chorale
Prerequisite: Concert Choir OR Audition 
This intermediate year-long course is designed to prepare choral students for choral music experiences beyond high school. Students perform quality choral literature from a variety of genres, cultures, and styles, and learn vocal technique and musicianship skills. This course is a continuation of the choir sequence. Students perform in school concerts and regional festivals. If you have some experience singing and are looking for something more challenging, Chorale is for you!

Vocal Jazz
Prerequisite: Audition
This advanced course is designed for advanced musicians with an interest in jazz music. Vocal Jazz is a small mixed-voices ensemble for advanced singers and rhythm section. Students learn about various jazz styles and concepts, including improvisation and jazz theory. Students perform in school concerts and regional festivals. Freshmen enrolled in Vocal Jazz are required to sing in a second ensemble during the day.

Jazz Band
Prerequisite: Audition
Students in this year-long performing ensemble learn about various jazz styles and concepts, including improvisation, jazz theory, and jazz history with traditional wind and rhythm section instrumentation. Students participate in all Jazz Band performances and activities during or outside the normal school day, including participation in festivals and trips.

Symphonic Band
Prerequisite: None 
This year-long performing ensemble is designed for advanced students who play traditional woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. Students develop skills in tone production, phrasing, rhythmic and aural acuity, advanced technical skills associated with one’s instrument, and correct posture. Band students learn and perform a wide variety of music from different cultures and time periods. Students perform in school concerts, regional festivals and athletic events.

Wind Ensemble (not available to freshmen)

Prerequisite: Symphonic Band OR Audition
This year-long performing ensemble is designed for advanced students who play woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. Students continue to develop skills in tone production, phrasing, rhythmic and aural acuity, advanced technical skills associated with one’s instrument and correct posture. Students learn and perform a wide variety of music from different cultures and time periods. Students perform in school concerts, regional festivals and athletic events.

Percussion Ensemble 
Prerequisite: None
Students in this year-long performing ensemble course learn skills and technique on pitched and non-pitched instruments. Students participate in performances with Wind Ensemble and activities during or outside the normal school day, including participation in festivals and trips.

Concert Orchestra
Prerequisite: None
This year-long performing ensemble is for intermediate to advanced students of String instruments, and may also include Wind, Brass, and Percussion instruments. Orchestra students play a wide variety of music from different cultures and time periods and perform in school concerts and regional festivals. Students develop skills in tone production, phrasing, rhythmic and aural acuity, and the advancement of technical skills. 

Chamber Orchestra (not available to freshmen)
Prerequisite: Audition
This year-long performing ensemble is for advanced students who play violin, viola, cello, and bass. Orchestra students play a wide variety of music from different cultures and time periods and perform in school concerts and regional festivals. Students develop advanced skills in tone production, phrasing, rhythmic and aural acuity, and the advancement of technical skills such as shifting, vibrato, bow control, and posture.