Music Department Draws Big Enrollment
On September 3, the entire AIS Music Department moved into its new home in the recently completed Phase I of the Sports & Activity Center (SAC). Located between the west end of the Secondary School and the new gym area, the Music Center occupies three large classroom/rehearsal rooms and five practice room facilities. The Primary School music room, Secondary School chorus and band Rooms, and Multi-Purpose Room (also used for string instruction) comprise the core of the new Music Center.
Student enrollment in courses and ensembles reached an all-time high with the start of the 2004-2005 academic year. Offered through the Secondary School music department are the Music 6, Music 7 and Music 8 courses for Middle School students, and, new this year, Music 9 as an exploratory for Upper School students. Music 10 has been designated as a required pre-IB course, and the Music 11 IB course is in its second year of existence. The performing ensembles include the Primary, Middle and Upper School Choruses, the Primary, Middle and Upper School String Ensembles, and the Primary School Band, Middle School Wind Ensemble, and Upper School Jazz Band. New ensembles debuting later this year include the Middle School Jazz Band and the AIS Percussion Ensemble.
Involvement in the performing ensembles has grown approximately 40 percent over the past two years. As of October 5, there were 232 students enrolled in nine performing ensembles within the AIS Music Department, representing over a quarter of the total AIS student population. Participation in music performing groups is not limited to students. Last spring marked the debut of the AIS Chamber Players, a recital series designed to feature solo and small ensemble performances in vocal and instrumental music by any interested member of the AIS community: students, teachers, parents, instructors, staff members. Three more AIS Chamber Players recitals are scheduled this year for January 25, March 22, and May 24.