More InformationDuxbury students in grades 5-12 participate in a diverse Music Department. 90% percent of the fifth grade class started on an instrument this year. There is a sixth grade band, orchestra, and chorus, which place ninety five percent of these students in a performing group. The seventh and eighth grade performing groups, two bands, an orchestra, and chorus, are part time courses and meet every other period for a 68-minute rehearsal. Extra curricular groups include a Junior Jazz Band and a Junior Chamber Orchestra. 
The high school music program has three Bands, two Choruses, and two Orchestras. The Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, String Ensemble, and Chamber Singers are groups where students are accepted by audition. Students audition the previous year, and are asked to meet certain musical criteria to be placed in the advanced group. Those students who want to continue playing, but do not wish to prepare an audition will have the opportunity to play in the larger performing groups: Concert Band, Concert Orchestra, and Concert Choir. All high school performing groups are full time courses that meet five days in the seven-day cycle. Other music courses include music theory, piano lab, music business, jazz improvisation, music technology I and II, and music history and appreciation, and Symphonic Orchestra. In addition to these classes, there are also extra-curricular ensembles that meet outside the school day. There are two jazz bands, chamber orchestra, madrigals, show choir, and brass ensemble. The music department presents a musical every year as well. 
Duxbury High School has a population of 970 students, 40% participate in a performing ensemble and 25% elect the non-performance courses listed above. The high school has three bands that total over 220 members. There is a Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble. The two later groups are both determined by competitive auditions. All Wind Ensemble members study privately with a professional teacher, and, 75% percent of the Wind Ensemble members teach private lessons to younger students in the After School Private Lesson Program. The Wind Ensemble String Ensemble, and Chamber Singers were selected to perform at Carnegie Hall, The MENC Eastern Division Conference in and three Massachusetts Music Educators Conference Concert Hours in the last eight years. The music department is excited to be performing and recording in their new 1000 seat Performing Arts Center. |