All students in grades K-5 participate in general music at St. Mary’s School. Classes meet every other day for 28 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. School concerts can be viewed at Owatonnalive.com
Junior High Choir
Participation in the Junior High Choir is required for sixth through eighth graders. The Choir meets to practice every other day in sectionals of about 20 students. Students also prepare to sing for our weekly liturgies and are encouraged to lead in our worship services.
If you are not in band, you also will participate in music appreciation. During this class, students study music history, improvisation, and theory.
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 and begin with four weeks of summer lessons. Then in fall, the fifth grade band meets once a week for a 40-minute rehearsal. In addition, students have a 20 minute weekly sectional class. The fifth grade band performs two concerts each year.
In 6th through 8th grade, students receive a 15-minute lesson. The sixth grade band rehearses twice a week to allow students to participate in both band and choir.
The seventh and eighth graders are combined into one band which meets every day for 48 minutes. In addition to expanding their knowledge about playing their instruments, students are introduced to music theory and history.
Junior high band students perform three 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 Becky Berkley @ 507 446-2300 or e-mail her at bberkley@stmarys-owatonna.org
Jazz Band
Junior 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.
For more information about Jazz Band at St. Mary’s, please contact Becky Berkley @ 507 446-2300 or e-mail her at bberkley@stmarys-owatonna.org
Liturgy Band/Choir
The St. Mary’s Liturgy Band/Choir is open to all students in grades 6-8 that wish to lead the music at school masses. The group meets from 7:15 to 7:55 a.m. before Masses. Participation gives students the opportunity to plan and perform their music on a weekly basis and enhance the worship experience for others.
Music Dates for 2016-2017
October 19 – Grandparents Day: 1-8 grade choirs, 6-8 grade band
November 5 -- Band Master Class at NRHEG for selected 6-8 grade students
December 15 – Elementary Christmas Concert: K-5 grade choir, 5th grade band
February 4 – Solo/Ensemble Contest at OJHS: 6-8 grade band students (optional)
February 7 – JH Winter Concert: 6-8 choirs and bands
March 4 – Honor Band at Austin High School: selected 5-8 grade band students
May 4 – Elementary Spring Concert: K-5 grade choirs, 5th grade band
May 10 – JH Spring Concert: 6-8 choirs and bands
**All concerts, except Grandparents’ Day will begin at 6:30 in the Jerry Kent Gymnasium at St. Mary’s School.