An important part of a well-rounded school experience, music teaches skills that can be enjoyed for a lifetime, while providing an opportunity to glorify and celebrate Christ. Norfolk Christian Schools offers a full complement of vocal classes and experiences, including trips, tours and concerts.
Norfolk Christian offers general music instruction to all students for a weekly 30-minute period. Classes use the Silver Burdett Music Series, which provides excellent exposure to music of all styles and from all historical periods through listening, singing, and playing of instruments. Students also learn fundamental music theory and instruction appropriate to their grade level. Each child in grades 4 and 5 receives their own recorder and learns to play simple tunes.
Norfolk Christian offers students in grades 6 and 7 music every other day during a 90-minute fine arts block. Sixth grade students take music for a trimester period; seventh grade students take it for one semester. Each grade level uses the Silver Burdett Music curriculum and continues to build on the foundational concepts taught at the lower grade levels. In addition to their general music lessons, the sixth grade class studies World Drumming – the music, instruments, and percussion patterns of African and Latin American countries, and the seventh grade class learns to play guitar. The High School Concert Chorus is an elective course open to students in grades 8-12. A vocal placement audition is required to take the course. Students receive a fine arts credit towards their graduation requirement after successful completion of one year in the chorus. The chorus performs in at least two major school concerts, community concerts, and also tours out of state in the spring of each school year. The purchase and care of the concert outfit is a requirement of the course. The course equips students to use their voice for the glory of God. Use of vocal techniques, theory instruction, and ensemble participation help the students to improve their vocal instrument and to become contributing members of the chorus. Opportunities for advanced instruction and performance are available on the local and state levels for students who excel. Spring of each year brings an opportunity to expose students to music and performance venues outside of their locality and to use their gifts for God’s glory. In the past few years the Concert Chorus has been privileged to travel to New York City, Nashville, Orlando, San Antonio, and Toronto. The Children’s Chorus is an auditioned group of approximately fifty students in grades 3-5 from the Norfolk campus. Students must be able to sing on pitch and to sit through a 45-minute weekly rehearsal that is held on Thursdays after school. The Children’s Chorus gives two school concerts each year and performs in chapels, at the mall during Christmas, and in competition at a local theme park (Busch Gardens, Kings Dominion), where they have received a Superior rating for the past two years. Members are required to purchase a black skirt/slacks and a white polo shirt to wear during performances.
Choristers: This 25 member ensemble of fourth and fifth grade students is a new addition to the Norfolk Christian music family. Students in this group have exhibited a strong talent, both in singing and music knowledge, and are focused in their approach to choral singing. This chorus meets during the school day, twice a week. Selection for this group is based on an audition and one year’s experience in the Children’s Chorus. Members are required to wear a white shirt, black skirt/slacks, and a vest for performances.
The Middle School Chorus is a group of auditioned sixth and seventh grade students. They meet weekly on Wednesdays after school for a 45-minute rehearsal, working in cooperation with the athletic department to allow students to participate in the chorus and on the athletic teams. The chorus of 25 students performs at malls and the airport during Christmas, as well as giving chapel concerts and participating in a competition at a theme park ( Busch Gardens, Kings Dominion) in the spring. Members are required to wear a white polo shirt and khaki skirt/slacks for performances.
Windsong is a select, auditioned ensemble of some of the finest vocal students at Norfolk Christian. The group is open to students in grades 9-12. The ensemble meets for practice during the school day and occasionally on weekends. Students in Windsong are required to declare this group as their major extracurricular activity, to maintain their grades as well as attend all rehearsals and performances. Windsong is a musical ambassador for Christ in the community, performing at civic and church meetings, malls, airport, senior centers, The Founder’s Inn, Norfolk Tides baseball games, taverns at Colonial Williamsburg during Christmas, and school concerts, chapels, and the yearly Concert Chorus tour. In December 2005 Windsong traveled to Vienna, Austria, to participate in the International Advent Festival.
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