The study of music develops both the mind and the body, and stimulates creative thinking- linking the intellectual, emotional, and physical realms of being. By actively exploring the musical sounds in the world around them, students exercise their capacity of learning while developing expressiveness to the music they hear, perform, and create. Students gain personal values and awareness to respond with sensitivity to many types of music, as it is a fundamental means of expression in all cultures around the world. In addition, participation in these collective musical activities encourage young musicians to value co-operation, respect for others, and personal responsibility.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
In the instrumental ensembles of the middle and upper schools, students develop an understanding of the elements of music: melody, harmony, rhythm, tone color, texture, and form. On their instruments, students are lead to discover how interpretive controls (tempo, articulation, balance, and dynamics) in conjunction with these musical elements give expressive qualities to the studied pieces of music, and then apply the same knowledge to unfamiliar music.

Repertoire for the different ensembles is chosen based on the instrumentation within the group, as well as to highlight individual strengths. These performance-based ensembles participate at scheduled concerts and MSBOA festivals throughout the year, as well as observe musical performances given by professional performers in the community.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC ENSEMBLES
6th Grade Concert Band
Middle School Concert Band (7/8)
Upper School Concert Band
Intermediate and Advanced String Orchestra
Middle School Jazz Band
Upper School Jazz Band

VOCAL MUSIC
In the vocal music ensembles of the middle and upper schools, students grow in all aspects of musicianship. Areas of study include dynamics, Italian terminology, good choral tone and balance, sight-reading, breath support, vocal technique for period-style singing, vowel placement, range extension, enunciation and diction. Students work to develop the ability to sing more than “just the notes on the page”.

Although not required, many of the Roeper vocal ensembles perform at MSVMA events such as Choral Festival and Solo/Ensemble Festival. Choral repertoire includes songs from the earliest recorded times to present day, and songs from all over the world. Languages sung include English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Swahili, and more! Middle and upper school choral ensembles perform at seasonal concerts in and around the Roeper community.

VOCAL MUSIC ENSEMBLES
Middle School Vocal Ensemble
Upper School Concert Choir
Varsity Men’s Ensemble
Varsity Women’s Ensemble

GENERAL MUSIC and NON-PERFORMANCE ELECTIVES
As music is a fundamental means of expression, and is a significant and powerful part of any culture, Roeper students have many opportunities to experience in explore music in a variety of non-performance electives. Listening and comparing, arranging and composing, studying and analyzing- engaging students in cognitive, affective, and even psychomotor processes. For any student at Roeper, music is a wholly absorbing and rewarding experience.

NON-PERFORMANCE MUSIC ELECTIVES
Music Theory
Basic Harmony
Advanced Music Theory
Orchestration and Arranging
The Music of Opera and Broadway
The Roots of Rock and Roll
Music History: Medieval/Renaissance
                        Baroque/Classical
                        Romantic
                        Twentieth Century