Middle School Offerings

More information to come soon!

Chorus is an elective course which meets every other day for the entrie year. Choral students also meet for small group instruction once every six days during homeroom time. 

In large group ensemble, the singers will build a solid foundation to enhance their developing voice. They will learn music reading skills, individual singing skills, and large group ensemble rehearsal skills. We will work to develop their creative thinking skills and ability to speak like a musician through signing a wide variety of repertoire. 

There are two required evening performances and many more opportunities to perform throughout the year. 

Chorus is an elective course which meets every other day for the entire year. Choral students also meet for small group instruction once every six days during homeroom time.

In large group ensemble, the singers will develop individual vocal technique, improve music reading skills, enhance large group rehearsal techniques to sing as a team, build their music vocabulary, and analyze music for key concepts through singing a wide variety of repertoire.

There are two required evening performances and many more opportunities to perform throughout the year.

PURPOSE:

Introduction of jazz, rock, swing, musical and pop styles. We focus on singing accurate rhythms, articulations, and phrasing as well as using a fuller chest voice. 

ACTIVITIES: 

Weekly rehearsals on Friday Mornings from 7:20 - 8:05 a.m. (December – May)

*We will not have rehearsal if we have a late start or if school is canceled*

Click HERE to view more information about the 2023 Middle School Musical.

Middle School Musical Application Form

Participating in the MS Musical is a wonderful opportunity to sing, act and dance! 

Join musical crew to build the set, work the lights, sounds and stage! 

Be part of this great team from March until May.

No Experience needed - just be willing to have fun and try something new!

Official sign up: February during all 3 lunches.

More information/audition packet/crew interest form/calendar on the MS Musical bulletin board in the music suite hallway.

What is Solo & Ensemble?

• Solo & Ensemble Festival is sponsored by the Wisconsin School Music Association(WSMA).

• It is a great Co-Curricular opportunity that focuses on the individual student rather than the large performing group; students have the opportunity to perform a solo or duet

• Students meet weekly after school with a vocal coach for a 15 minute session to prepare their music.

• At festival students are rated by WSMA trained adjudicators.

• Students receive a medal for their performance at the festival.

• Solo & Ensemble is non-competitive; the only competition is with yourself to do your best!

All WSMA Festivals have five primary goals:

• Improve students’ music performance;

• Increase students’ understanding of music literature and music concepts;

• Motivate students to continue their study of music;

• Establish standards of excellence in music performance;

• Provide opportunities for students to understand the relationship of music experiences to other life experiences.

Singers will be led through a goal setting process to choose music that is developmentally appropriate for their skill level. We value everything a piece of music has to teach us from the rhythms to chord structures. We base our instruction on reading music at a proficient or high level. I.e. melodies via solfege and rhythms using the Gordon Method. Private voice students will also be part of the  goal setting process to choose their repertoire and  set a time for the after school coaching sessions. Below are the WSMA suggested levels of study. 

Selections are divided into classes as follows:

• Music Selection – Students and their teachers choose a musical selection from the WSMA Festival Music List to study. The list is divide into three difficulty levels, called ‘classes”

• Class C – Entry level. For students in their first/second years of study

• Class B – Experienced level. For students in their second/third/fourth years of study

• Class A – Advanced level 

The school board approved charging a $25 fee for all students that participate independently in solo and ensemble, much like an activity fee for athletics.  This fee would be assessed to students that are preparing solos, duets or small ensembles that are coached outside of the school day on a weekly basis.  The fee would not be assessed to those that are only preparing a large ensemble that rehearses during class (i.e., madrigal, woodwind choir, percussion ensemble, chamber orchestra etc).  Also, the fee is not per event, but per student.  For example, if a student is doing a solo and a trio outside of school, they pay only one $25 fee.  This fee is separate from the $25 donation that many of you have contributed to the Music Boosters.  This fee goes to the school district to support solo/ensemble.  Any donation to the Music Boosters goes to support trips, scholarships, and enrichment activities.

Composition, creating music, is incorporated in General Music classes at all grade levels.

The music teachers build on these skills each year. At the elementary level, students improvise and create music using Orff (mallet) instruments. Other ways students compose is by creating lyrics, placing rhythm note cards in different orders, and jamming on drums. At the Intermediate School, students start to compose electronically using ipads, as well as on voice and various instruments.  

At the middle/high school level, students compose at a higher level including using developed melodies, expanded forms, and layered voices. Students often use music software, such as Soundtrap, Sibelius, Noteflight, and/or Flat to compose. They have the option of showcasing their pieces in the annual WSMA Composition Project.

Waunakee students have been very successful both in traditional composition, as well as electronic music.  You can listen to some of their winning compositions directly on the WSMA website here.

Guest artists are invited to all grade levels to teach and perform for our students.  Not only does it enrich the curriculum, but it exposes students to high level professional music playing.

At the middle school level, Mr. Rich Freese, professional guitarist and composer, has taught a workshop for the last 10 years. Mandjou Mara led an African drumming workshop several years ago to both general music and band students.  

High School Level Division
2018
Reed Christian- Kyrie and Gloria (Second Place- Vocal Ensemble)

2017
Benjamin Homan- Quartetto No. 1 in C Minor (Honorable Mention- Instrumental Ensemble)
 

Middle School Level Division
2022
Tiernan Fritz- Electronic Song titled Light vs. Dark (First Place- Digital Music Production)
Katie Leder- Electronic Song titled The Dark World (Third Place- Digital Music Production)
Owen Gillingham- Electronic Song titled Boss Battle (Honorable Mention)

2019
Molly Schmitz- Piano Solo Composition titled Blizzard (Third Place)

2018
Molly Schmitz- Piano Solo Composition titled Cross Wind (Honorable Mention)

2016
Davina Gerber- Alto Saxophone Composition titled Skipping in the Summer Sunshine (Second Place Instrumental Solo)
Bella McDonald- Flute Solo titled Spring Flowers (Honorable Mention)

2015
Zach Dederich - Trombone Solo Composition titled Traffic Jam (Honorable Mention)
Nyah Jones- Piano Solo Composition titled Boat Ride (Honorable Mention)

2014
Alan Olkowski- Percussion Ensemble Composition (Second Place Instrumental Ensemble)
Kacie Murray- Viola Solo Composition (Second Place Instrumental Solo)
Lukas Daniels- Percussion Ensemble Composition (Honorable Mention)
Chris Laack- French Horn Solo Composition (Honorable Mention)
Ross Reddington- Trombone Solo Composition (Honorable Mention)
Mitch Richards- Piano Solo Composition (Honorable Mention)

2013
Olivia Carroll- Piano Solo Composition (First Place Piano Solo)
Mitch Richards- Piano Solo Composition (Second Place Piano Solo)
Ross Reddington- Trombone Solo Composition (Honorable Mention)
 

The Chamber Orchestra meets once a week on Wednesdays from 7:15 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

Opportunities in Chamber Orchestra include performing a wider variety in musical styles, experience playing in different kinds of groups (small ensembles, instrument choirs, string jazz combos, fiddle groups, etc), increased student autonomy in repertoire selection, and a higher volume of musical exposure and performance. 

What is Solo & Ensemble?

• Solo & Ensemble Festival is sponsored by the Wisconsin School Music Association(WSMA).

• It is a great Co-Curricular opportunity that focuses on the individual student rather than the large performing group; students have the opportunity to perform a solo or duet

• Students meet weekly after school with a vocal coach for a 15 minute session to prepare their music.

• At festival students are rated by WSMA trained adjudicators.

• Students receive a medal for their performance at the festival.

• Solo & Ensemble is non-competitive; the only competition is with yourself to do your best!

All WSMA Festivals have five primary goals:

• Improve students’ music performance;

• Increase students’ understanding of music literature and music concepts;

• Motivate students to continue their study of music;

• Establish standards of excellence in music performance;

• Provide opportunities for students to understand the relationship of music experiences to other life experiences.

String students will be led through a goal setting process to choose music that is developmentally appropriate for their skill level. We value everything a piece of music has to teach us from the rhythms to chord structures. We base our instruction on reading music at a proficient or high level. Private string students will also be part of the  goal setting process to choose their repertoire and  set a time for the after school coaching sessions. Below are the WSMA suggested levels of study. 

Selections are divided into classes as follows:

• Music Selection – Students and their teachers choose a musical selection from the WSMA Festival Music List to study. The list is divide into three difficulty levels, called ‘classes”

• Class C – Entry level. For students in their first/second years of study

• Class B – Experienced level. For students in their second/third/fourth years of study

• Class A – Advanced level 

The school board approved charging a $25 fee for all students that participate independently in solo and ensemble, much like an activity fee for athletics.  This fee would be assessed to students that are preparing solos, duets or small ensembles that are coached outside of the school day on a weekly basis.  The fee would not be assessed to those that are only preparing a large ensemble that rehearses during class (i.e., madrigal, woodwind choir, percussion ensemble, chamber orchestra etc).  Also, the fee is not per event, but per student.  For example, if a student is doing a solo and a trio outside of school, they pay only one $25 fee.  This fee is separate from the $25 donation that many of you have contributed to the Music Boosters.  This fee goes to the school district to support solo/ensemble.  Any donation to the Music Boosters goes to support trips, scholarships, and enrichment activities.