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Student Experience
Arts
Performing Arts
Band and Choir
Music At Bellarmine
The Bellarmine Music Department furnishes students with the opportunity to pursue their music education on instruments or with the voice. Coursework is designed to reinforce solid foundational skills and develop proficiencies measured by National Association for Music Education standards. Students leaving Bellarmine with four years of progressive music education are expected to be prepared to enter college ensembles. Music can be taken in a four-year sequence.
It is Bellarmine's explicit aim to provide high quality student performance ensemble experiences in band, choir, and orchestra. In execution of this aim the Bellarmine Music Department intentionally develops students with the non-musical skills required to be contributing members of such successful ensembles. The leadership, self- and team-accountability, and habitual pursuit of excellence fostered by participation in the Bellarmine Music Department prepare students for success in college, career, and life.
BAND
Under the direction of Casey Whitson, the Bellarmine Band program consists of Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz I and Jazz II. All non-jazz groups combine to form the Lion Marching Band in the Fall, while the jazz groups act as the Bellarmine Pep Band in the Winter. All bands perform at home performances as well as state and regional adjudications.
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Concert Band is the entry level wind band at Bellarmine.
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Wind Ensemble is the auditioned level wind band at Bellarmine. Students wanting to audition for Wind Ensemble must spend at least one year in Concert Band.
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Percussion Ensemble is the band class for all percussionists at Bellarmine. All levels and skills are welcome. The group performs with Concert Band and Wind Ensemble, as well as acting as the drum line for the Lion Marching Band.
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Jazz I is the award-winning advanced jazz ensemble at Bellarmine. It is an enrichment course that meets zero hour and requires concurrent enrollment in an academic music course. Placement in this group is by audition.
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Jazz II is the entry level jazz ensemble at Bellarmine. It is an enrichment course that meets zero hour and requires concurrent enrollment in an academic music course. Placement in this group is by audition.
CHOIR
Under the direction of Tauvia Eggebroten, the Bellarmine Choral program consists of Concert Choir and Vocal Ensemble, frequently merging to create the Bellarmine Combined Choir. All choirs perform at home performances as well as state and regional adjudications. The Combined Choir performs at the Portland Grotto Festival of Lights and the Catholic Choir Festival among other additional community performances.
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Concert Choir is the entry level choir at Bellarmine. Class is devoted to the training and development of a strong performance choir.
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Vocal Ensemble is the auditioned level choir at Bellarmine. Students wanting to audition for Vocal Ensemble must spend at least one year in Concert Choir. Class emphasizes the refinement of vocal production and performance techniques.
ORCHESTRA
Under the direction of Tauvia Eggebroten, the Bellarmine Chamber Orchestra is open to string players at any level who are ready to grow as musicians in a collaborative and challenging environment. As the school’s premier orchestral ensemble, students will perform a wide range of traditional and contemporary repertoire while developing confidence both as ensemble members and individual performers. Chamber Orchestra performs at home performances and participates in regional festivals and adjudications.
Throughout the year, students will strengthen essential skills including tone production, technique, sight reading, musical expression, and ensemble performance. Rehearsals emphasize both technical growth and overall musicianship, helping students become more versatile and expressive performers.
This course satisfies both WIAA and TYS requirements for school music program participation.
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