Mr. John Autz, Mr. Carmine Russotti, and Mr. Kevin Knutsen conduct the instrumental classes. The prerequisite for certain ensembles requires prior experience on a specific musical instrument.
The Midwood Symphony
Concert Band
Philharmonia
Beginning Strings
Students who play in the symphony orchestra must demonstrate the knowledge of and the ability to play their instruments with a high degree of proficiency. The prerequisite for admission is prior membership in intermediate ensembles.
The world of Classical music is explored. Students perform complex compositions composed by the great masters as well as contemporary composers of orchestral music.
While hard work dominates
the course, students develop lifelong friendships, demonstrate teamwork,
practice the Midwood Core Values of Respect, Responsibility and Honesty,
and enjoy a wonderful experience working with others toward a common goal.
Our students gain acceptance by the college of their choice in part due
to the high level of their musical abilities. The Midwood Symphony Orchestra
performs at our Winter and Spring Concerts.
Concert Band
Students usually feed
into the Concert Band from their junior high school performing groups.
The band explores the literature for concert band by the great composers.
The band also performs at our concerts. Many students gain acceptance by
the college of their choice in part due to the high level of their musical
abilities.
Philharmonia
The Philharmonia was created to provide students with additional musical training on their instruments. There are many students who have prior experience on an instrument yet need to acquire additional performance skills, such as:
1. learning major and
minor scales
2. sight-reading techniques
3. rhythmical competence
4. aesthetics of performance
Beginning Strings
Students in the beginning
strings class experience a unique opportunity on the high school level
to play a stringed instrument. Students learn to read music and perform
in small ensembles. The students usually continue this program in their
second year and lead to membership in the Philharmonia, String Quartet
or Symphony Orchestra.
Beginning Winds and
Brass
Students select to learn how to play Band or Orchestral instruments. They are provided with instruction on how to read music and perform ensemble pieces in hopes of joining Midwood’s performing groups.
Orchestral music provides
an important opportunity for students to improve their self-discipline
and to work cooperatively with their peers.