Follow the Music in Your Heart
At The John Carroll School, we aim to help students develop their unique musical potential, to provide abundant and diverse opportunities for group and individualized music learning, and to cultivate a safe, respectful, inter-culturally responsive, and stimulating environment that supports student development.
Students who are passionate about music can elect to pursue the Performing Arts track of a Fine Arts Diploma with Distinction. For information on requirements and how to apply, please visit the Fine Arts Diploma with Distinction page and refer to the directions under Performing Arts.
Music Auditions
Auditions will be held for the following ensembles:
Bella Voce – JC’s mixed a cappella choir; half-credit, year-long class (meets after school ACEG days 2:55-3:40pm)
Patriettes – JC’s all-female a cappella choir; half-credit, year-long class (meets after school BDFH days 2:55-3:40pm)
Jazz Band – JC’s Jazz Band ensemble comprised of saxophone, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, and rhythm (piano, bass, guitar, drums, vibes); half-credit, year-long class (meets after school ACEG days 2:55-3:40pm)
Rock Band – guitar, bass, drums, vocals; half-credit, year-long class (meets after school BDFH days 2:55-3:40pm)
Auditions for advanced placement* will be held for the following ensembles:
Advanced Band, Advanced Percussion Ensemble, Advanced Orchestra – string ensemble (violin, viola, cello, upright bass), Advanced Chorus
*No audition is required for students to register for Band, Perc. Ens., Orchestra, or Chorus – auditions are for honors credit/advanced placement only
For incoming freshmen and transfer students only:
Fine Arts Diploma with Distinction (FADD) – Students interested in pursuing the Performing Arts track while at The John Carroll School may elect to the take Band, Chorus or Orchestra in ninth grade. This will allow students the opportunity to expand their choices for the Performing Arts courses and graduate with a Fine Arts Diploma with Distinction with a Performing Arts Concentration upon completion of the program requirements. More information about this program can be found at https://johncarroll.org/academics/special-programs-applications/diploma-distinction-fine-arts
To apply: Submit an essay describing your interest in and commitment to the Performing Arts (one-half page to one page in length) for review. Essay may be submitted as hard copy at your audition or may be emailed to Mrs. Parrish at jparrish@johncarroll.org
Presidential Scholarship – Considerations for presidential scholarship require 1) an audition for at least one ensemble or advanced music ensemble listed above, 2) submission of a FADD application essay describing your interest in and commitment to the Performing Arts (one-half page to one page in length) for review, and 3) submission of an updated performance resume. Resume and essay may be submitted as hardcopies at your audition or may be emailed to Mrs. Parrish at jparrish@johncarroll.org
Auditions dates/times:
Fri. 2/4/22 (4-6pm)
Sat. 2/5/22 (10am-12pm)
Registration required for audition date. Audition times will not be assigned. Please arrive within the scheduled audition time on your designated day. Students will need to sign in and will be seen in the order they arrive. Be sure to bring your instrument and music with you to your audition. Pianos, amps, and percussion instruments will be provided onsite. Warmup space will also be provided.
Audition material (by group):
A cappella Choir (Bella Voce/Patriettes) – Prepare one verse/refrain of a song that best showcases your voice. Song selection should be from the pop/jazz/Broadway genre and should be sung a cappella (without accompaniment.)
Jazz Band – Prepare a jazz solo/excerpt that best showcases your abilities. Prepare one memorized major scale that best showcases your range. A short sight-reading excerpt will also be provided. Audition material does not need to be memorized. You must provide a copy of your sheet music to auditor.
Rock Band – See separate audition requirements, attached.
Advanced Band/Percussion Ensemble –Prepare a solo/excerpt that best showcases your abilities; this can be from an etude or method book for your instrument. If preferred, you may prepare the audition excerpt, provided. Percussionists should prepare BOTH mallets and snare. Prepare the following scales: Bb, F, C, Eb (concert pitch, quarter notes). A short sight-reading excerpt will also be provided. Audition material does not need to be memorized. You must provide a copy of your sheet music to auditor.
Advanced Orchestra –Prepare a solo/excerpt that best showcases your abilities; this can be from an etude or method book for your instrument. If preferred, you may prepare the audition excerpt, provided. Prepare the following scales: D, G, C, F (at least one octave, quarter notes). A short sight-reading excerpt will also be provided. Audition material does not need to be memorized. You must provide a copy of your sheet music to auditor.
Advanced Chorus –Prepare a solo that showcases your voice in a manner that is appropriate for choral singing (tone, pure vowels, proper breathing, etc.); Song selection should be classical, art song, or standard/classical Broadway ballad. Accompanist will be provided (Note: your audition may be audio/video recorded.) You may bring your own accompanist or recorded accompaniment if you prefer. A short sight-reading excerpt will also be provided. Audition material does not need to be memorized. You must provide a copy of your sheet music to auditor.
Do not forget to register for your audition date!
Course Offerings
AP Music Theory - This course is open to students in grades 11-12 who have had at least one year of a major JC music ensemble. Students will develop aural, sight-singing, written, compositional and analytical skills as it relates to music through listening, performance, written, creative and analytical exercises.
Bella Voce - JC's mixed a cappella choir. Open to students in grades 9-12 by audition only. Bella Voce performs in a variety of styles including, but not limited to, Jazz, Broadway, Folk, Rock and Pop. The core curriculum explores basic vocal technique and music theory with solo, small ensemble and large ensemble performance opportunities. Bella Voce performs at the JC Winter, Spring and Memorial concerts as well as other school and community events.
Patriettes - JC's girl's a capella choir. Open to students in grades 9-12 by audition only. The Patriettes perform in a variety of styles including, but not limited to, Jazz, Broadway, Folk, Rock and Pop. The core curriculum explores basic vocal technique and music theory with solo, small ensemble and large ensemble performance opportunities. The Patriettes perform at the JC Winter, Spring and Memorial concerts as well as other school and community events.
Chorus - JC’s mixed choral ensemble. Open to students in grades 9-12. This is a year-long course that explores choral music from a wide variety of cultures and time periods through study and performance. The core curriculum emphasizes the basics of vocal technique, sight-reading, and music theory. The chorus performs for the JC Winter, Spring and Memorial concerts as well as other school and community events. All members also participate with Music Ministry.
Concert Band - Open to students in grades 9-12. Experience playing a band instrument strongly recommended. Core curriculum emphasizes the development of instrument technique, tone production, tuning, fundamentals of music theory, music reading, and listening skills. Literature will contain classical and popular music. Concert Band performs for the JC Winter, Spring and Memorial concerts as well as other school and community events. All members also participate with Marching Band.
Jazz Band - Open to students in grades 9-12 by audition only. Jazz band is primarily comprised of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, guitar, piano, bass and drums, though accommodations can be made for additional instrumentation/vocalists. Jazz Band performs for the JC Winter, Spring and Memorial Concerts as well as the Cool Jazz Concert and other school and community events.
Orchestra - Open to students in grades 9-12. Experience playing a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, double bass) is strongly recommended. Core curriculum emphasizes the development of instrument technique, tone production, tuning, fundamentals of music theory, music reading, and listening skills. Literature will contain classical and popular music. Orchestra performs for the JC Winter, Spring and Memorial concerts as well as other school and community events.
Percussion Ensemble - Open to students in grades 9-12. Percussion ensemble focuses on perfecting techniques necessary for marching and concert percussionists. They combine with the concert and marching band at all performances.
Rock Band - Open to students in grades 9-12 by audition only. Rock Band is primarily comprised of guitar, bass, piano, drums, and vocals. Students will learn basic music theory and performance skills as they pertain to Rock music. As a performance-based class, students will have the opportunity to showcase their work throughout the school year.
Co-Curricular Experiences
Marching Band - Comprised of all Concert Band members and open to other student musicians/twirlers/dancers who wish to participate in marching season only. While Marching Band is considered a co-curricular ensemble, participation with the Marching Band is a required element of Concert Band and has an impact on students’ Concert Band grades. Marching Band performs at all John Carroll home Varsity Football games as well as several local parades.
Music Ministry - Comprised of all Chorus members plus any student with interests in performing at JC school-wide mass celebrations. Vocalists and instrumentalists welcome!
Pit Orchestra - Provides musical accompaniment for each of JC’s two musical theatre productions. Opportunity is limited by the varying instrumentation needs of each show. Members will be selected/approved by director based on need and playing ability. Members must be able to commit to playing every scheduled performance and be available to rehearse after school and some evenings.