Instrumental

Middle School Instrumental Music

The St. John’s Middle School Instrumental Program is a foundational journey that transforms curious beginners into confident, technically proficient musicians. By prioritizing specialized instruction and instrument-specific pedagogy, we ensure our students are not just playing music but mastering their craft in preparation for the Upper School’s premier ensembles.

Getting Started: The Class 6 Entry Point

The 6th-grade year is the primary opportunity for students to begin their instrumental journey at St. John’s. We encourage all interested students to enroll in Class 6 Strings or Class 6 Band to receive the essential foundational instruction required to progress through the Middle School program and beyond. Students must enroll in Class 6 to begin a new instrument at SJS.

The Instrumental Lesson Program To further support our students in their musical journey, St. John’s offers an on-campus lesson program taught by our professional SJS Faculty and Staff. These sessions—available in private, partner, or small-group formats—are conveniently offered before, during, and after school to help students refine their technique and accelerate their progress.

Band Ensembles

The Middle School Band program offers a vibrant environment for students to explore wind and percussion instruments, focusing on tone, rhythm, and the joy of ensemble playing.

Class 6 Band (Treble & Bass/Percussion): 6th-grade students are grouped by instrument range to ensure a strong start. This allows for focused attention on the specific technical training and mechanics required for their individual instruments.
Intermediate Band: Open to 7th and 8th-grade students with prior playing experience. This ensemble builds upon foundational methods to explore a diverse repertoire ranging from standard concert band literature to contemporary works.

Available Band Instruments:

Woodwinds: Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Saxophone
Brass: Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
Percussion: Includes Snare Drum, Mallet Keyboards, Timpani, and Accessory Percussion

String Ensembles

To better serve our students' technical development, our strings program utilizes a specialized grouping model. This allows for tailored guidance and instrument-specific mastery that a traditional mixed-orchestra setting cannot always provide.

Class 6 Strings: A grade-appropriate entry point where beginners learn the fundamentals of their instrument, while experienced 6th-grade players are challenged within a collaborative performing ensemble.
Intermediate Strings (Violin & Bass): Open to 7th and 8th graders with prior experience, this class focuses on the specific pedagogy and technical demands of the violin and bass.
Intermediate Strings (Cello & Viola): A dedicated space for experienced 7th and 8th-grade cellists and violists to advance their technique through focused instruction.

While students train in these focused groups to accelerate their individual growth, they regularly combine to perform as a full ensemble in concerts.

Available String Instruments:

Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass

Honors & Performance Opportunities

At St. John’s, we celebrate musical excellence and provide pathways for students to represent our community on a larger stage.

TPSMEA Honor Ensembles: Qualified students have the opportunity to audition for and represent St. John’s in the TPSMEA Middle School Honor Band and Honor Orchestra, performing alongside the region's top young musicians.
Leadership & The Middle School Sinfonietta: As students progress into our Intermediate ensembles, there are opportunities for high-achieving musicians to take on leadership roles, including principal chair positions. To further challenge our advancing musicians, selected players may be assigned to perform as the Middle School Sinfonietta. This premier ensemble is designed to provide a sophisticated bridge to our Upper School program, allowing students to develop the advanced ensemble skills and artistry required to eventually join the full St. John’s Symphony in Upper School.

There are a variety of performances throughout the school year for all instrumental ensembles, including fall and spring concerts and occasional chapel services. To learn about upcoming concerts, visit our arts calendar.