Welcome to the Weston High School Music Department!

whs orchestra

The Music Department provides opportunities for participation in vocal and instrumental groups, grades 9-12, and offers a course in music theory. The purpose of the music offerings is the cultivation of a lasting appreciation of music and the personal enrichment brought about through participation and study. Music students also have the opportunity to audition for the MMEA Eastern Jr. & Sr.District Music Festivals, the All-State Festival, the All-Eastern Music Festival and The National Honors Ensembles.

Department Contacts

Mr. Christopher Memoli – Director of Music (k-12); HS Orchestras, HS Wind Ensemble x5945

Mr. Jonathan Eldridge – High School Choruses, 8th Grade Chorus, MS Wildcat Voices & MS General Music

Ms. Claire Nalven – 6th-8th Grade Bands, HS Concert Band, HS & MS Jazz Ensembles, HS Chamber Music, HS AP Music Theory

Concert Video Library Courtesy for Weston Media Center

Click Here

Private Lessons:
All students are encouraged to take private lessons.  To support them, the district has arranged for private teachers to teach on site after school.  Registration for lessons occurs at the start of the year. Click here for private lesson registration.

MMEA Jr, Sr. Eastern District Music Festivals & MMEA All State Festival.
Band, Orchestra and Chorus students who are especially motivated may audition for the MMEA Music Festivals. These extraordinary events provide an opportunity to perform with the best young musicians in the state.  Audition Requirements can be found here:

music award 20

Congratulations to the 754 school districts that are among the Best Communities in the nation for music education.  The award program recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education.  Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education. The 148 schools that were winners for the 2020

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by The National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,300 members around the world. Its mission is to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org

Curriculum

The Music Department provides opportunities for participation in vocal and instrumental groups, grades 9-12, and offers a course in music theory. The purpose of the music offerings is the cultivation of a lasting appreciation of music and the personal enrichment brought about through participation and study. Music students also have the opportunity to audition for the Senior Northeast District Music Festival, the All-State Festival, and the All-Eastern Music Festival.

Standards & Benchmarks

Grades 9-12
Band Gr. 4-12
Chorus Gr. 3-12
Orchestra Gr. 3-12

For Handbooks and Forms please refer the Chorus, Band or Orchestra pages.

Grades 9-12

The course will offer instruction in the development and refinement of intermediate/advanced performing and ensemble techniques. The concert band will be a major performing group for the school and community. Opportunities for public performances will be provided and attendance will be required. Rehearsals and performances outside of regular school hours will be required.

Grades 10-12

The course will offer instruction in the development and refinement of advanced performing and ensemble techniques. The Wind Ensemble will be a major performing group for the school and community. Opportunities for public performances will be provided and attendance will be required. Additional opportunities will be provided for full symphonic orchestra: strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. This will require combining band and string students for instruction periodically. Admission to this group is by audition only and based on the instrumentation needs of the group. Rehearsals and performances outside of regular school hours will be required.

Grades 9-12

This course will offer instruction in the development and refinement of jazz performing and ensemble techniques. Emphasis will be on the study of standard jazz band literature. The jazz ensemble will be a major performing group for the school and community. Rehearsals and performances outside of regular school hours will be required. Admission to this group will be by audition only and based on the instrumentation needs of the group. Students in the jazz ensemble are also required to be enrolled in wind ensemble or concert band (orchestra for string bassists).

Grades 9-12

This course will offer instruction in the development and refinement of advanced performing and ensemble techniques. Emphasis will be on the study of standard orchestra literature. The string orchestra will be a major performing group for the school and community. Additional opportunities will be provided for full symphonic orchestra: strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. This will require combining band and string students for instruction periodically. Rehearsals and performances outside of regular school hours will be required.

Grades 9-12

This class will focus on chamber music skills. Students in this course will be divided into small chamber ensembles of 3-5 students. These ensembles will be made up of string, wind, brass or percussion instruments. Ensembles will include, string trios, quartets & quintets, woodwind/brass small ensembles and jazz combos. Students will learn how to rehearse themselves in small groups while working with peers. Emphasis will be on the basics of fine ensemble playing, intonation, phrasing and balance, rhythmic accuracy and group listening skills. Students in chamber music are also required to be enrolled in orchestra or band.

Grades 10-12

The course will offer instruction in the development and refinement of advanced performing and ensemble techniques. The Chamber Orchestra will be a major performing group for the school and community. Opportunities for public performances will be provided and attendance will be required. Additional opportunities will be provided for full symphonic orchestra: strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. This will require combining band and string students for instruction periodically. Admission to this group is by audition only and based on the instrumentation needs of the group. Rehearsals and performances outside of regular school hours will be required.

Prerequisite: Recommendation of the Director of Music.

Grades 9-12
This college level course introduces the student to musicianship, theory, musical materials, and procedures. It integrates aspects of melody, harmony, texture, rhythm, form, and musical analysis, elementary composition and, to some extent, history and style. Musicianship skills such as dictation and other listening skills, sight singing, and keyboard harmony are an important part of the theory course.
The student’s ability to read and write musical notation is fundamental to such a course. It is also assumed that the student has acquired at least moderate performance skills in voice or on an instrument.
The ultimate goal of an Advanced Placement Music Theory course is to develop a student’s ability to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score.

Grades 9-12

Chorus is open to all boys and girls in the High School. The chorus performs a wide variety of music including classical, ethnic, show, popular, and contemporary works. Students work on strengthening vocal techniques and harmony. The chorus performs at the annual Winter Concert, Spring Pops, and at various community functions throughout the year. Rehearsals and performances outside of regular school hours will be required.

Grades 10-12

This course is for students presently in Concert Choir and interested in the study and performance of vocal Jazz. This will start with the study and understanding of jazz and its harmonic structures from the time of Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Students will study vocal improvisation known as scatting. Further study and performance will include Swing, Be-bop, ?free-voice? (instrument imitation) as well as the study of today’s jazz styles as performed by the “New York Voices” and “Manhattan Transfer.”

Admission to this select vocal group is by audition only.

Grades 10-12

The Concert Choir performs works ranging from early madrigals to classical and vocal jazz. Students work on advanced and contemporary harmony and vocal techniques. The Concert Choir will perform at the annual winter and ?Pops? Concerts as well as events outside of school. Rehearsals and performances outside of regular school hours will be required.

Music Department FAQs

Elementary schools
Boys: White button down shirts and black pants
Girls: White tops and black skirts

Middle School
Students are required to wear a white dress shirt or blouse with black dress pants or a long skirt. Black shoes are also requested.

High School
Concert Black:

Black Dress (black blouse and skirt are fine), Black ShoesBlack Suit or Tuxedo, White Shirt, Black Bow Tie and Cummerbund, Black Shoes/Socks

Private lessons are available through the school but demand often exceeds availability. Registration for lessons occurs at the start of the year. Click here for private lesson registration.

The Massachusetts Music Educators Association hosts a series of competitive music festivals to celebrate the achievements of the most dedicated young musicians in the state and to enrich their performance opportunities. The Junior Festival is open to Grades 7-9, as well as 6thgrade chorus members. The Senior Festival is open to Grades 9-12. There are five districts; Weston is a member of the Eastern District. Participation is determined through auditions. The highest scoring auditions are eligible to audition for the All-State Festival, which combines the best performers from the entire state.

At the end of every year, the middle school bands, orchestras and choruses participate in a juried concert program, which is held in central Massachusetts. The ensembles perform for a panel of judges and are assessed on musical technique, interpretation and professionalism. The group is then taken to Six Flags for a celebratory outing.

The Music Department holds an instrument rental evening early September of each year during which students can rent instruments for one year.

Weston Friends of Music

Weston Friends of Music is a parent volunteer group that supports the Middle and High School music programs.

Weston has one of the best music programs in the country and a big reason is you parents.  If you want to get involved behind the scenes, Weston Friends of Music is the group to join.  We help the Music Department with concert programs, refreshments and logistics.

Your WFOM liason will be sending out e-mail notices and requests for assistance at events.

Parent volunteers are very important in making things go smoothly.

Join us! We welcome new ideas and suggestions for ways to enrich our music program.

Recent News

music

MS/HS Jazz Night Wednesday, April 26 7:30

Come and hear the Middle and High School Jazz groups perform…
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Pops 2023

WHS Pops Concerts!

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MMEA logo

WHS All State Music Results

The All-State results…
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