Performing Arts

At Hawken Middle School, we understand that music is an essential part of a students’ evolving identity. Our middle music program creates rich connections between music, individuals, and community. Through music studies, students simultaneously engage both sides of the brain, promoting lateral thinking and problem-solving. We use the power of authentic performance as a force for developing students’ thinking dispositions. The program focuses on three overall goals:
  • Collaboration
  • Self-Expression
  • Skill Building
A key part of the middle school music program is providing students with vivid models of what the process of creativity looks like, building the tools they need to engage in music making, and showing them how their participation matters.

Middle School Ensembles, 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade. All Ensembles meet for 3 consecutive trimesters/1 year.

Concert Band
The Middle School Concert Band is open to instrumental musicians in grades 6-8. This ensemble  setting encourages the development of instrumental musicianship, confidence, and teamwork. Students will evaluate and refine their work through openness to new ideas, collaboration and persistence. This performance-based course includes participation in public performances and events outside of school, where students get to share their work, demonstrate their craftsmanship, and gain experience. Students considering this course should have prior instrumental music experience, either through a school program or private instruction.  

Chorus
The Middle School Chorus is open to vocalists in grades 6-8. This ensemble setting encourages the development of vocal technique, musicianship, confidence, and teamwork. Students will evaluate and refine their work through openness to new ideas, collaboration, and problem-solving. Important social-emotional work occurs as students explore personal identity and music’s function in our society. This performance-based course includes participation in public performances and events outside of school, where students get to share their work, demonstrate their craftsmanship, and gain experience.

String Ensemble            
The Middle School String Ensemble is open to instrumental musicians in grades 6-8. This ensemble setting encourages the development of string technique, musicianship, and teamwork. Students will evaluate and refine their work through openness to new ideas, collaboration and persistence. This performance-based course includes participation in several public performances and events outside of school, where students get to share their work publicly, demonstrate their craftsmanship, and gain experience. Students considering this course should have prior instrumental music experience, either through a school program or private instruction.

“Plus+” Music Courses:
Grade 6 “Plus+” courses are offered 1st, 2nd, 3rd Trimesters
Grades 7 and 8 “Plus+” courses are offered 1st and 3rd Trimesters

Concert Band Plus+                                                                                       Concert Band Plus+ is open to students who want to deepen their instrumental music experience. This course encourages the development of instrumental technique through the study of chamber music, solo repertoire, and original works. Students will work together on new material each trimester, while building skills in sight-reading, improvisation and audiation. Repertoire includes music from diverse genres and cultures, including jazz, music theater, and popular music. This performance-based course includes participation in public performances and events outside of school. Course Requirement: Students must be enrolled in any year long ensemble (chorus, concert band, or string ensemble) in order to take Concert Band Plus+

Chorus Plus+                                                                                                 Chorus Plus+ is open to students who want to deepen their vocal music experience. This course encourages the development of vocal technique through the study of chamber music, solo repertoire, acapella music, and original works. Students will work together on new material each trimester, while building skills in sight-singing, improvisation and audiation. Repertoire includes music from diverse genres and cultures, including jazz, music theater, and contemporary acapella singing. This performance-based course includes participation in public performances and events outside of school. Course Requirement: Students must be enrolled in any year long ensemble (chorus, concert band, or string ensemble) in order to take Chorus Plus+.

String Ensemble Plus+                                                                                  String Ensemble Plus+ is open to students who want to deepen their instrumental music experience. This course encourages the development of instrumental technique through the study of chamber music, solo repertoire, and original works. Students will work together on new material each trimester, while building skills in sight-reading, improvisation and audiation. Repertoire includes music from diverse genres and cultures, including fiddling, electric string playing, music theater, and popular music. This performance-based course includes participation in  public performances and events outside of school. Course Requirement: Students must be enrolled in any year long ensemble (chorus, concert band, or string ensemble) in order to take String Ensemble Plus+.

Beginning Guitar Class
Beginning guitar class is open to all middle school students who want an introduction to playing the guitar. The main objective of this course is to create an appreciation for music through playing the guitar. Students will learn how to read music notation, chord symbols, and tablature. Students will also gain a better understanding of different cultures and musical genres including classical, blues, jazz, rock, and pop music. (Maximum of 8 students)

Percussion Fusion
Percussion Fusion is a class designed to promote and develop musical performance on various traditional concert band percussion instruments (such as snare drum, drum set, timpani, xylophone)  as well as instruments from other cultures. This course will provide students with the necessary skills to develop a sense of historical perspective through a multicultural lens. Students do not need previous music experience to join the course. (Maximum of 8 students)

Music Production and Technology
This course will engage students in learning to hear, perform, write, create and produce music with current technologies. This course introduces students to making music with digital tools, samplers, and other online software programs. Students will work collaboratively to create original compositions, beats, and improvisations. They will also explore audio recording and sound mixing.
 
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An independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school, toddler through grade 12

Early Childhood, Lower, and Middle Schools, 5000 Clubside Rd, Lyndhurst, OH 44124
Birchwood School of Hawken, 4400 West 140th Street, Cleveland, OH 44135 
Upper School, PO Box 8002 (12465 County Line Rd), Gates Mills, OH 44040
Mastery School of Hawken, 11025 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Gries Center, 10823 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106

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