Music
All students in grades K-5 participate in general music at St. Mary’s School. Classes meet three times per week for 25 minutes. Children learn music concepts that follow the National Music Education Curriculum Guidelines. Students sing, play instruments, improvise, compose, and listen to a variety of music from around the world. Students also prepare the music for worship in our weekly masses.
For more information contact Larry Ostermeier at 507 446-2300 or email him lostermeier@stmarys-owatonna.org
Junior High Choir
Participation in the Junior High Choir is required for sixth through eighth graders who are not in Band, and it is optional for those participating in the Band program. The Choir meets to practice three times per week in sectionals of about 20 students. Students also prepare to sing for our weekly liturgies and are encouraged to lead in our worship services.
Participation in the choir also includes music appreciation. During this weekly class, students study music history, improvisation, theory, and composition.
For more information about our music programs, contact Larry Ostermeier at 507- 446-2300 or e-mail him lostermeier@stmarys-owatonna.org
Band
St. Mary’s School offers band instruction to students in grades 5-8. Students choose their instruments in the final weeks of fourth grade, then begin with four weeks of summer lessons. Then in fall, the fifth grade band meets once a week for a 45-minute rehearsal. In addition, students have a 30 minute weekly sectional class. The fifth grade band performs three concerts each year.
In 6th through 8th grade, students receive a 15-minute private lesson. The sixth grade band rehearses twice a week to allow students to participate in both band and choir. On Fridays, all sixth graders study music appreciation. Classes include one quarter each of music history, music theory, improvisation, and musical composition.
The seventh and eighth graders are combined into one band which meets two times a week for sixty minutes. This again allows students to be in both band and choir. Music history, theory, improvisation, and composition are also taught in seventh and eighth grade band.
Junior high band students perform four concerts each year. They may also choose to participate in Master Classes, Honor Band, and a Solo/Ensemble Festival. Many students at St. Mary’s enjoy participating in Jazz Band and Liturgy Band as extracurricular activities.
For more information about the Band program at St. Mary’s, please contact Suzette Kuklok @ 507 446-2300 or e-mail her at skuklok@stmarys-owatonna.org
Jazz BandJunior high students at St. Mary’s have the unique additional opportunity to participate in Jazz Band. The St. Mary’s Jazz Band is open to all band students in grades 6, 7 and 8. The instrumentation of the band is: Saxophone, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, Piano, Guitar, Bass, and Percussion. Jazz band meets on Thursday mornings from 7:15 a.m. to 7:55 a.m. and performs at all of the St. Mary’s School Junior High Concerts. Students earn a music pin after each year of participation.
For more information about Jazz Band at St. Mary’s, please contact Suzette Kuklok @ 507 446-2300 or e-mail her at skuklok@stmarys-owatonna.org
Liturgy Band/ChoirThe St. Mary’s Liturgy Band/Choir is open to all students in grades 7 and 8 that wish to lead the music at school masses. The group meets from 7:30 to 7:55 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Participation gives students the opportunity to plan and perform their music on a weekly basis and enhance the worship experience for others. Students earn a music pin after each year of participation.
Music BoostersMusic Boosters is a fund-raising sub-committee of the Home and School Association. Events are held throughout the year to raise extra funds for the Band and Music programs at St. Mary’s. Recent purchases have included a new piano and new mass hymnal geared toward the musical tastes of a younger audience. Parents are encouraged to volunteer at the various fund-raising events throughout the year.
For more information on Music Boosters at St. Mary’s, contact Dawn Carlson at 451-3541 or e-mail her at jdsncarlson@msn.com