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 Diploma with Distinction in Fine Arts. For information on requirements and how to apply, please visit the Diploma with Distinction in Fine Arts page and refer to the directions under Performing Arts.
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. Bella Voce is a year-long, half-credit course that meets on Tuesday/Thursday (2:50 - 3:40 p.m.).
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, music theory, and music history. 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. Jazz Band is a year-long, half-credit course that meets on Monday/Wednesday (2:50-3:40pm).
Orchestra - A credited class 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. Rock Band is a year-long, half-credit course that meets on Tuesday/Thursday (2:50-3:40pm).
Extracurricular 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. Rehearsals take place after school as announced and before each mass. All are welcome!
Pep Band - Open to any Concert Band member or any other student musician who wishes to join. Pep Band performs for JC basketball games. Pep Band also has opportunities to perform for collegiate basketball games in the area.
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.