EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC
Music Class
Suzuki Group Lessons (postponed until health restrictions are lifted by our Health and Safety Committee and approved by our administration):
Suzuki group lessons are offered to students in Montessori, pre-k, and kindergarten for students who wish to learn violin or cello. They are 20 minute sessions that happen twice a week.
LOWER SCHOOL MUSIC
Music Class :
Students in the Lower School are introduced to singing tunes and phrases, and to feel the rhythm of the music through their bodies. As the progress through our music program, students continue vocal exploration and body movement, and by second grade are singing theme based songs such as American Heritage, Broadway, and folk songs. Music classes also explore the concepts that influence the creation of music. Students begin to learn how to read music through playing the recorder in fourth grade.
String Ensemble (postponed until health restrictions are lifted by our Health and Safety Committee and approved by our administration):
The String Ensemble is a group that meets after school once a week for violin and cello students from grades two through six. Students must have completed at least one year of private lessons to join, but they do not have to take lessons a WMA.This ensemble performs for the Christmas and Spring Concerts. They also visit the Sisters of Mercy at McAuley Convent and to share their music. It is a perfect way to increase their musicianship, eartraining and have a lot of fun making music with others!
Choirs (postponed until health restrictions are lifted by our Health and Safety Committee and approved by our administration):
Cherub Choir
As part chorale curriculum, students in grades one and two will learn the basics of chorale sings through fun and rhythmically challenging unison and partner songs. They will develop a sense of teamwork and confidence when they perform in both the Christmas Concert and Spring Concert.
Glee Club
Part of the chorale curriculum, Glee Club members consist of students in grades three and four who continue to learn lifelong singing skills along with basic note reading and ear training. They begin to sing in harmony with Partner Songs and two-part pieces performed at the Christmas Concert and Spring Concert.
Treblemakers
This audition only group is comprised of students in grades four through six. Students must show that they have the ability to match pitch and sing in harmony. Treblemakers members meet at 7:30 a.m. in the morning on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, depending on his or her voice part.
They perform a much more challenging repertoire and represent Waldron Mercy at various local events including, First Fridays in Old City Philadelphia, Peddler's Village and sporting events to name a few.
MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSIC
Music Class :
Middle School students continue to strengthen their singing voices and read musical notation. Classes integrate technology based, self-paced lessons to continue development and reinforce fundamental music skills and an understanding of music theory. Other topics covered include music history, major composers, and the roots and early development of Jazz.
Rock Band (postponed until health restrictions are lifted by our Health and Safety Committee and approved by our administration):
Rock Band is open to students in grades six through eight who have been studying guitar, bass, drums, brass, woodwind, keyboard or voice for at least a year. These students meet once a week after school and work on classic and modern rock. They perform at the Spring Concert and for a special end-of-the-year Community Gathering. Students have a great deal of input on the songs they work on and strive for a truly professional sound!
String Ensemble (postponed until health restrictions are lifted by our Health and Safety Committee and approved by our administration):
The String Ensemble is a group that meets after school once a week for violin and cello students from grades two through six. Students have to have at least one year of private lessons to join, but they do not have to take lessons a WMA. This ensemble performs for the Christmas and Spring Concerts. They also visit the Sisters of Mercy at McAuley Convent and share their music. It is a perfect way to increase their musicianship, eartraining and have a lot of fun making music with others!
Choirs (postponed until health restrictions are lifted by our Health and Safety Committee and approved by our administration):
Junior Choir
Part of the chorale curriculum, Junior Choir members in grades five and six continue to build their music reading skills through sight singing and rhythm exercises. They perform in two-part pieces and their repertoire expands to include more modern songs. They perform at the Christmas and Spring Concerts with the Middle School Choir.
Middle School Choir
Students in grades seven and eight choose to be members for the Middle School Choir. Divided into two groups, they meet once every six days in the cycle during part of their lunch/recess and their advisory periods. Students sing pieces for their specific voice types and combine during the concerts to sing in three- and four-part harmonies. The song selection is extremely varied and a ton of fun!
Treblemakers
This audition only group is comprised of students in grades four through six. Students must show that they have the ability to match pitch and sing in harmony. Treblemakers members meet at 7:30 a.m. in the morning on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, depending on his or her voice part.
They perform a much more challenging repertoire and represent Waldron Mercy at various local events including, First Fridays in Old City Philadelphia, Peddler's Village and sporting events to name a few.
Chorale
The best of the best students in grades seven and eight audition for and are selected to sing in the Waldron Mercy Chorale group. Students must show a high skill level of singing, harmonizing and matching pitch, not to mention lots of school spirit and a positive attitude.
These students represent our school in choir competitions each year. Locations have included New York, Boston, Annapolis, Williamsburg, Disney World and Montreal. Students sing pieces that are extremely challenging and require an additional two to three rehearsals a week. This added work and commitment has earned Waldron Mercy Academy high rankings in national competitions and leaves the students with memories that last a lifetime.
