The Instrumental Music Program at Holy Redeemer takes place every Friday, consisting of beginner, intermediate and advanced students in grades four through eight. Students have an opportunity to meet in small, group classes, learning the fundamentals of playing a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument, while learning how to read music. Those families of instruments include instruction on flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, snare drum, and bells/xylophone.
The group classes are 30 minutes in length, taking place during school hours. Classes typically contain no more than 10 students, offering more of an individualized sense of instruction. Classes are grouped by type of instrument or level of advancement.
In addition to small group classes, students who have played their instrument for at least one year participate as a large ensemble, rehearsing for one hour, after school on Friday.
Two performances are presented as a Winter Concert and Spring Concert. The after-school ensemble also performs at Bishop McNamara High School in early spring, as part of the Music Program’s “Band Festival.” This performance is observed by area band directors, who provide feedback and award a rating. In recent years, our ensemble has been privileged to receive the rating of “superior,” which is the highest rating you can receive at a band festival.
With instrumental music not being included as part of the curriculum for the Catholic Elementary Schools, the Archdiocesan Music Program is set up to allow students to experience instrumental music in a school setting, being able to make music with their peers in a cooperative learning environment. As a separate program, tuition is required for enrollment, although the tuition for the program proves less expensive than private music lessons. Visit http://www.adwband.com/jointheband.html for information on music tuition.
Our program is under the direction of Johnathan Varrone, who has been teaching with Holy Redeemer and the Archdiocesan Music Program since 2009. He is also currently the band director at St. Mary of the Assumption School, Our Lady of Lourdes School, St. Bernadette School, and St. Francis International School.
(Mr. Johnathan Varrone, Instrumental Band Director)