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What does the orchestra do and how do I join?
What does the chorus do and how do I join?
The Newark High School Orchestra program provides comprehensive instruction in performance of orchestral instruments and music history/theory in a cooperative learning environment. The curriculum is supplemented by music technology sessions in the Music Computer Lab and chamber music with visiting artists. The Symphonic and Chamber Orchestras maintain an active performance calendar of three major concert programs a year. They have traveled to locations like Virginia Beach, Myrtle Beach, Toronto and Orlando where the musicians have achieved many "superior" ratings in their festival adjudication's. In 1997 and 1999, the Symphonic Orchestra was chosen to perform at the Eastern Division Convention of the Music Educators National Conference held in Baltimore, MD and New York, NY, respectively. Each year, many of our members are selected to participate in the Delaware All-State Orchestra.
The NHS Orchestra program offers three levels of study: introductory class (Instrumental Music Exploration) , experienced class (Strings class) and advanced class (Orchestra). Students may elect to take a class for Honors Credit, a contracted agreement between student and teacher, which will require performance and research projects.
Ms. Rosaria Macera is the Orchestra Director and String Specialist at Shue-Medill Middle School and Newark High School. As a professional orchestral violinist, she performs regularly with the Delaware Symphony. She received a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from the New School of Music Conservatory (Philadelphia) and a Master of Music degree in conducting from the University of Delaware, where she continues her post-graduate studies. In 2005, Ms. Macera became a National Board Certified Teacher. If you have more questions about joining the NHS orchestra, please email Ms. Macera at MACERAR@christina.k12.de.us.The Newark High School choirs consist of five different classes. We offer gender specific, beginning chorus classes, called "Men's Ensemble" or "Women's Ensemble". These are for students who have never taken a chorus class before, yet they are open to students for all four years of their high school career.
Moving up, we have "Chorale", our mixed voice ensemble. This group is responsible for all styles of music and performance, but are students that may not want to audition for the top ensembles yet AND who have some chorus or music reading ability.
Our top two, auditioned choirs are called "Chamber Choir" and "Voices". Chamber choir members are the top, mainly classical style, singers who want a rigorous musical experience. This class sings major choral works and performs outside the school day and for community events. Voices is the "Show Choir" that incorporates choreography with jazz and Broadway style singing. The auditions for these two choirs occurs in the spring semester with a prepared quartet, sight reading and aural memorization skills being expressed.
The choirs do many works together as well at each concert and the seniors are offered a chance to sing solos at a recital concert in the Spring. If you have more questions about joining a NHS choir, please contact Choir Director Penny Carmack at carmackp@christina.k12.de.us.
The NHS Marching Band performs during NHS football games (at half-time for home games, and pre-game at away games) and also at several parades and festivals each year. Under the guidance of Mr. Jonathan Wittman, band members first meet during a one week "band camp" (held at school, usually during the first half of August) to learn new music and marching steps. After school starts, the band meets as a class during the school day, and also has one after-school practice each week. Football games are mostly on Friday evenings and sometimes on Saturdays (morning or early afternoon).
After the end of the football season, concert band begins as the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band prepare for their three yearly concerts. There is a band trip in the spring (usually in late April) to competitions held in such places as Virginia Beach, Nashville and Disney World.
If you are an 8th grader or a transfer student who is interested in joining the marching band when you come to NHS, please contact Mr. Wittman at WITTMANJ@christina.k12.de.us.
Members of the NHS Band Front perform with the marching band during football games and parades. Rather than playing instruments, they twirl flags and sometimes rifles, while marching in a pattern which complements the patterns made by the musicians. Marching and twirling are first taught during a mandatory, one week "band camp," which is held at the school during the first half of August. During the school year members take a class called "Band Front" and there are additional after school rehearsals, usually twice each week during football season. Members purchase shoes and costumes, and the school purchases the flags. The band front class is graded, based on attendance at class and performances, and each student is also graded on a short, self-choreographed routine. After football season ends, most of the band front classes are treated as study halls. There is a band trip in the spring (usually in late April) to competitions held in such places as Virginia Beach, Nashville and Disney World.
If you are interested in joining band front next year, please contact Mr Wittman at WITTMANJ@christina.k12.de.us.
Orchestra, Band and Band Front photos by Sue Gamel-McCormick. Chorus photo by Patrick Gordy-Stith. Website designed by Nancy Breslin and hosted by Bud Clark.
