Choral Music Programs (6th, 7th & 8th grades)
Treble Choir (6th and 7th Graders)
The Treble Choir meets Mondays and Tuesdays during Reinforcement and performs in the Winter, Mid-Winter and Spring Concerts. We start the year singing in unison and two-part harmony to find the choral "sound" and in the latter part of the year we continue to develop mature singing skills and tackle more difficult harmonies.
Briarcliff Chorale (8th Graders and Auditioned 7th Graders)
The Briarcliff Chorale meets Thursdays during 9th period. This course is team-taught by both Mrs. Scarangello and Dr. Sundquist, the Director of Choral Music at Mountain Lakes High School. Students get the opportunity to sing challenging pieces of the choral repertoire, while studying the scores more theoretically and analytically. The 8th Grade Chorus performs at the Winter, Mid-Winter, and Spring Concerts.
Instrumental Music Programs
The Band program at Briarcliff currently consists of two concert bands and a jazz ensemble. Typically, the bands perform in two major seasonal concerts a year, as well as community functions and school-wide events. Students are always welcome to join Band, even if they have never played an instrument. While focus is on developing strong musicianship and technical skills throughout the Band programs, the highest priority is to provide students with a safe, positive environment where they are encouraged to express their art without fear of judgment.
CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL 2012-13 BAND HANDBOOK!
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band is comprised of 6th and 7th grade students and meets during period 9 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Although the band meets during PEP period, it is still considered a class for which students receive a grade.
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble meets during period 0 (7:15-7:50 AM) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and is comprised mainly of 8th graders. Musically advanced 7th graders are granted membership through a selective audition process.
In addition to the three weekly rehearsals, all Band students are required to attend a group lesson, held once a week on a rotating schedule. Each month, students receive a new lesson schedule and it is the student’s individual responsibility to attend their weekly lesson.
Jazz Ensemble
‘Cliff’s Notes jazz ensemble is an extracurricular group that meets Tuesday and Thursday mornings during period 0. Jazz band auditions take place in December and are open to all Briarcliff students. The group is the featured act at Briarcliff’s annual Jazz Café.
String Ensemble
String ensemble includes violins, cellos, violas and string basses. String Ensemble meets on Wednesdays and Fridays during PEP. Every string student meets for either a sectional or lesson during one period a week to reinforce musical skills and to work on music being learned. The ensemble ranges from beginner to advanced and plays pieces ranging from jazz tunes to classical music.
Guitar EnsembleStudents involved in guitar at Wildwood School can continue to enjoy playing in guitar ensemble by participating in a weekly practice at the high school on Thursdays after school directed by
Mr. Jardim. Students do not need to bring their guitar since they may use the instruments used in the high school guitar class. New students are welcome to join as well only if they meet a minimum note reading proficiency. Please see weekly updates of the content of our meetings by visiting the
Briarcliff Guitar Ensemble Blog.
