Beginning Band
Full year
Beginning Band students have the opportunity to take the first step in a lifelong musical journey by learning to play a band instrument. Students will play music of various styles and genres, and will learn how to play individually and in a group. They will have the opportunity to perform in concerts for their peers and the school community.
Students will:
- Share in the experience of performing with a large group of their peers
- Develop the skills necessary to perform individually on their instruments
- Learn about and use music software
- Perform for audiences
Learning will be guided by the following questions:
- What makes an outstanding musical ensemble?
- What makes a performance outstanding?
- What is a good sound on my instrument?
Prerequisites/notes: Enthusiasm for playing a band instrument. Enthusiasm for making music with others. No prior experience playing an instrument required.
Contact: Dr Pihowich - mpihowich@hkis.edu.hk or Mr Ward - chward@hkis.edu.hk
Dragon Band
Full year
Students with at least one year of experience playing a band instrument have the opportunity to continue their musical studies and to develop their performance skills further. Students will perform a variety of exciting and challenging music in a group setting. They will have the opportunity to perform in concerts for their peers and the school community. Additionally, students may, through an external audition, participate in music festivals throughout Asia, such as the AMIS Middle School Honor Band Festival and the AMIS Online Solo Festival.
Students will:
- Share in the experience of performing with a large group of their peers.
- Develop the skills necessary to perform individually on their instruments
- Learn about and use music software
- Perform for audiences
Learning will be guided by the following questions:
- What makes an outstanding musical ensemble?
- What makes a performance outstanding?
- What is a good sound on an instrument?
- How does individual preparation contribute to an ensemble?
Prerequisites/notes: Proficiency on one’s instrument to the level equivalent to the successful completion of Beginning Band, and/or permission of the conductor, and/or performance audition. Enthusiasm for playing a band instrument. Enthusiasm for making music with others.
Contact: Dr Pihowich - mpihowich@hkis.edu.hk or Mr Ward - chward@hkis.edu.hk
Beginning Strings 6
Full Year
Joining the strings program is an exciting musical opportunity for all students. It offers opportunities for violin, viola, cello or bass players to be a part of an music ensemble and it is a life-long skill to learn an instrument. This course is designed for students who have not taken strings before.
Students will:
- Work on fundamentals of string technique and posture, while being introduced to beginner’s repertoire
- Gain the experience of performing in an ensemble setting.
- Create music through using technology and music software.
- Get the chance to perform at school assemblies and public concerts during the school year
- Be required to attend occasional after-school rehearsals and evening performances
Some sample questions the students will explore during this course:
- How do I know which string instrument fits me better?
- How does a string instrument produce sound?
- Are string instruments difficult to learn?
- What is an ensemble?
- What is good ensemble playing?
- What is effective practice?
Pre-requisites/notes: No pre-requisites required. Students who is interested in music and would like to play a strings instrument will be met individually to determine best fit for instrument and size.
Contact: Ms. Staver -astaver@hkis.edu.hk or Ms. Kubiak- bkubiak@hkis.edu.hk
Sinfonia Strings 6
Full Year
The strings program offers a wonderful opportunity for violin, viola, cello or bass players to enrich their playing skills and be a part of an orchestra. We play a wide variety of music, ranging from the classical concertos of Bach to the jazzy tunes of Gershwin. The enjoyable and fulfilling strings program is an experience not to be missed! This course is designed to meet the need of developing first and second year strings students.
Students will:
- Enrich the joy of making music
- Develop ensemble skills and understanding of their instrument role in an ensemble setting
- Focus on skills specific to their level while being introduced to Easy intermediate’s repertoire
- Create music through technology and music software
- Develop team-building and personal organizational skills
- Develop efficient home practice habit
- Get the chance to perform at school assemblies and public concerts during the school year
- Be required to attend occasional after-school rehearsals and evening performances
Some sample questions the students will explore during this course:
- How do we produce a good sound?
- What is the different between solo playing and ensemble playing?
- How do player communicate with their conductor?
- What is effective practice?
- What is a good ensemble playing?
- What is an outstanding performance?
Pre-requisites/notes: Successful completion of Upper Primary Beginning Strings or student who is interested in music and to play a string instrument. Some prior experience on their instrument is required.
Contact: Ms Staver -astaver@hkis.edu.hk or Ms. Kubiak- bkubiak@hkis.edu.hk
Classical Strings 6
Full Year
Joining the strings orchestra program is an exciting musical opportunity for all students. With our four instruments: the violin, viola, cello, and bass, we play a wide variety of music, ranging from the classical concertos of Bach to the jazzy tunes of Gershwin. Students will further expand their playing skills on a string instrument. We also do a lot of performances, competition and oversea music festival outside school. The enjoyable and fulfilling strings program is an experience not to be missed!
Students will:
- Enrich the joy of making music.
- Share music talent with peers through playing.
- Strength ensemble skills including understand the importance of own role in an ensemble setting.
- Increase their technical abilities while reinforcing correct playing techniques and exploring musical styles, composers, and periods
- Develop music appreciation skill.
- Create music through technology and music software.
- Develop team-building and personal organizational skills.
- Develop efficient home practice habit.
- Perform at school assemblies and public concerts/competition as an ensemble during the school years
- Be required to attend occasional after-school rehearsals and evening performances
Some sample questions the students will explore during this course:
- What is a good ensemble?
- How do player communicate with each other and with their conductor?
- What is my role in the ensemble? What do I have to do in order to contribute to a successful rehearsal?
- What is efficient practice?
- How do I improve my playing techniques & sound quality?
- What is an outstanding performance?
Pre-requisites/notes: Successful completion of Upper Primary Advance Strings with teachers’ recommendation or equivalent.
Contact: Ms Staver -astaver@hkis.edu.hk
Choir 6
Full Year
In choir, students will develop proper vocal technique and an appreciation for choral music, with an emphasis on positive, fun teamwork whilst developing performance skills, musicianship, and rehearsal practice habits. The repertoire will draw on a wide variety of works, including religious, modern, classical, and foreign-language pieces.
Students will:
- Develop technical abilities, especially pitch-matching, harmonization, and vocal technique
- Learn to read, write, and use musical notation
- Produce high-quality, energetic performances for a variety of audiences, including concerts and assemblies
- Be required to attend occasional after-school rehearsals and evening performances
Opportunities to perform in solos and small groups are available but optional.
Grade 6 Choir will perform at public concerts, MS gatherings, and public HKIS venues throughout the year.
Pre-requisites/notes: No pre-requisites. All students, beginning to advanced, will be challenged according to their level and prior experience.
Contact Mrs. Laura Pihowich lpihowich@hkis.edu.hk