Bands

The Music Department at Prince Avenue Christian School includes both vocal and instrumental music. Music instruction begins in K4 and continues through high school. Upper elementary students learn to read music on a new level by learning the recorder. Band class is offered beginning in the fifth grade. The Middle School Band has performed in chapel and at football games. Upper School music includes High School Chorus. The class has performed numerous concerts for the PRINCE families, chapel, nursing homes, and competing in the ACSI Music Festival.

Instrumental

Beginning Band (5 grade)
Beginning Band provides elementary school students entrance into band culture with its numerous opportunities for growth. Students begin with the selection of an instrument that sparks their imagination. After learning how to care for their instrument, they proceed to the basics of tone production and the reading of pitches and rhythms. Having learned some fundamentals, students become part of the band where deep friendships are developed and various skills formed through the challenges of the musical process. Discipline is forged through practice both at school and home. Students grow in technique, expression and their sense of music appreciation and worship. Their achievements are expressed and recognized in quarterly concerts. 

Concert Band (Grades 6-8)
Concert Band is an energetic and enthusiastic ensemble that affords middle school students the opportunity to continue their overall development as both persons and musicians. Challenging, instructive, and diverse concert repertoire is tackled each quarter in preparation for the quarterly concerts. Students are required to practice and are given regular assessments to determine progress. Individual students have the opportunity to participate in and/or audition for a variety of honor groups sponsored by the Georgia Music Educators Association and the University of Georgia. Advanced students are also invited to play in the school Pep Band.

Jazz Ensemble (Grades 9-12)
This fast-paced course is designed to provide high school students the opportunity to play various styles of jazz along with selections of classic rock. Emphasis is placed on the instrumentalist’s development of characteristic tone, proper intonation, technical facility, and musical interpretation with an eye toward maintaining ensemble blend and balance. Individual students showcase their abilities through concert solos. They also have the opportunity to participate in and/or audition for a variety of honor ensembles sponsored by the Georgia Music Educators Association and the University of Georgia. Students are encouraged to play in the school Pep Band and mentor younger students.

Paul Rettew, prettew@princeave.org