Each year of 6th through 8th grade is a critical time when speaking of the student's musical development. The music they perform becomes an integral part of their personal music repertoire and passion for music. Composing and improvising provide students with unique insight into the form and structure of music and at the same time help them to develop their creativity. At the middle school level we continue to reinforce to the students the importance of music in their daily life and the connections /relationships between music and other disciplines. By the students understanding the cultural and historical backgrounds related to music they will be better prepared to live and work in communities that are increasingly multicultural.
Handbell Choir
Sponsor: Mr. McDowell
The IMS Handbell Choir is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students and meets weekly after school until 3:30 PM. Because many of the members participate in other after school activities, rehearsal times may be adjusted/canceled, as needed, to give students the opportunity to explore multiple extracurricular options. Handbell Choir provides an opportunity for students to experience a small, unique music ensemble. The group functions best with 11-24 members who each have an assigned part. Some parts combine together to create one melodic line, while other parts provide a harmonic accompaniment.
In addition to learning various playing techniques and reinforcing the concepts of rhythm and dynamics, students learn teamwork and build working relationships through making beautiful music. The success of a piece depends on how well all of the individual parts merge together which provides a type of performing that forces the students to rely a great deal on one another while also taking personal responsibility for their own roles.
Please contact Mr. McDowell at [email protected] for more information.
Jazz Workshop
Sponsor: Mrs. Famiglietti
The IMS Jazz Workshop welcomes all band instruments (plus bass, guitar, and piano) and is open to any student in 6th grade. In Jazz Workshop, students will delve into the fundamentals of jazz, blues, funk, and rock music, learning how to play in these diverse styles and even playing solos and improvising! It is a fun and engaging ensemble that offers a taste of the world of music beyond concert band. The IMS Jazz Workshop rehearses once a week before school at 6:45am.
If you enjoy your time in Jazz Workshop, you can audition for IMS Jazz Ensemble the following year! Please contact Mrs. Famiglietti at [email protected] for more information.
Jazz Ensemble
Sponsor: Mr. Cable
The IMS Jazz Ensemble is open to any 7th or 8th grade student who plays a traditional jazz band instrument, including saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, bass, piano, or percussion. This ensemble performs an exciting variety of musical styles, including jazz, Latin, rock, funk, and pop. IMS Jazz Ensemble rehearses once a week before school starting at 6:45am.
As a member of the IMS Jazz Ensemble, students will develop their jazz musicianship by learning the fundamentals of improvisation, performing music in a variety of styles, and building the ensemble skills needed to become confident jazz performers.
To join the IMS Jazz Ensemble, students must pass a playing audition before attending rehearsals. Please contact Mr. Cable at [email protected] for more information.
IMS Music Staff
Mr. Keith Born
6th and 8th Grade General Music
412-854-8677
Mr. Zach Cable
6th through 8th Grade Band Director
Jazz Ensemble Director
412-854-8677
Mrs. Kathryn Famiglietti
7th Grade General Music
Jazz Workshop Director
412-854-8677
Mr. Jay McDowell
6th through 8th Grade Choir Director
Handbell Director
412-854-8677
Mrs. Sarah Palermo
6th through 8th Grade Orchestra Director
412-854-8677
Handbell Choir
Sponsor: Mr. McDowell
The IMS Handbell Choir is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students and meets weekly after school until 3:30 PM. Because many of the members participate in other after school activities, rehearsal times may be adjusted/canceled, as needed, to give students the opportunity to explore multiple extracurricular options. Handbell Choir provides an opportunity for students to experience a small, unique music ensemble. The group functions best with 11-24 members who each have an assigned part. Some parts combine together to create one melodic line, while other parts provide a harmonic accompaniment.
In addition to learning various playing techniques and reinforcing the concepts of rhythm and dynamics, students learn teamwork and build working relationships through making beautiful music. The success of a piece depends on how well all of the individual parts merge together which provides a type of performing that forces the students to rely a great deal on one another while also taking personal responsibility for their own roles.
Please contact Mr. McDowell at [email protected] for more information.
Jazz Workshop
Sponsor: Mrs. Famiglietti
The IMS Jazz Workshop welcomes all band instruments (plus bass, guitar, and piano) and is open to any student in 6th grade. In Jazz Workshop, students will delve into the fundamentals of jazz, blues, funk, and rock music, learning how to play in these diverse styles and even playing solos and improvising! It is a fun and engaging ensemble that offers a taste of the world of music beyond concert band. The IMS Jazz Workshop rehearses once a week before school at 6:45am.
If you enjoy your time in Jazz Workshop, you can audition for IMS Jazz Ensemble the following year! Please contact Mrs. Famiglietti at [email protected] for more information.
Jazz Ensemble
Sponsor: Mr. Cable
The IMS Jazz Ensemble is open to any 7th or 8th grade student who plays a traditional jazz band instrument, including saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, bass, piano, or percussion. This ensemble performs an exciting variety of musical styles, including jazz, Latin, rock, funk, and pop. IMS Jazz Ensemble rehearses once a week before school starting at 6:45am.
As a member of the IMS Jazz Ensemble, students will develop their jazz musicianship by learning the fundamentals of improvisation, performing music in a variety of styles, and building the ensemble skills needed to become confident jazz performers.
To join the IMS Jazz Ensemble, students must pass a playing audition before attending rehearsals. Please contact Mr. Cable at [email protected] for more information.
IMS Music Staff
Mr. Keith Born
6th and 8th Grade General Music
412-854-8677
Mr. Zach Cable
6th through 8th Grade Band Director
Jazz Ensemble Director
412-854-8677
Mrs. Kathryn Famiglietti
7th Grade General Music
Jazz Workshop Director
412-854-8677
Mr. Jay McDowell
6th through 8th Grade Choir Director
Handbell Director
412-854-8677
Mrs. Sarah Palermo
6th through 8th Grade Orchestra Director
412-854-8677
