Instrumental Ensembles
Arts education inspires growth in so many ways other than ability. It is an invitation to see the world with renewed faith, hope, love and offer a platform to express ideas beyond the boundaries of language.
- Elizabeth Cunha, All-School Performing Arts Department Chair
Middle School Orchestra & Band
Stone Ridge Middle School is a place for all kinds of musicians! The objective of the ensemble program is to provide well-rounded experiences on technique, musicality, understanding of the instrument/voice, performance skills, and appreciation for the music in its various capacities by studying and performing music from a variety of genres and historical periods. Empowering students to be creative, aware and self-sufficient artists with grounding in solid technique is our primary goal.
Upper School Handbells
The Handbell ensemble is designed to teach the art of traditional English handbell ringing through a varied repertoire of music. Students will learn technical handbell skills and music literacy while preparing music for performance. Collaboration and teamwork is essential to the success of the handbell ensemble and the class fosters a greater sense of community. Handbells is open to all students and there is no previous experience required. Performances include the annual Christmas Concert, all school liturgies and the WISH festival featuring independent schools in our area.
Upper School Concert Band
Upper School Concert Band is open to woodwind, brass and percussion instrumentalists. It is designed to give students experience performing music from a wide range of repertoire in a variety of settings. The class helps students further develop technical skill on their instruments and teaches ensemble skills through traditional wind band literature, chamber music and pop tunes. The Concert Band experience encourages collaboration, individual responsibility and fosters a greater sense of community. Performances include small chamber concerts in the fall, a winter concert in January and a spring concert in May. The Concert Band participates in festivals and workshops and enrollment in this class offers students the chance to audition for the Maryland All State Band.
Upper School Chamber Strings
US Chamber String Ensemble welcomes students of orchestral string instruments (Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass) to advance their technique and performance experiences through participation in this ensemble. US Strings prioritizes the study of a wide range of repertoire. Students will study chamber music, develop solo repertoire, as well as explore a wide range of styles including celtic, blues, jazz, rock & roll and pop and applying contemporary techniques of string playing. We encourage student musicians to rehearse, arrange, listen, reflect, and become versed in a variety of musical genres so they have the knowledge and skill set to participate in whatever musical opportunities is presented to them, now and throughout their lives.
The Adjunct Music Program (AMP)
The Adjunct Music Program (AMP) offers a variety of after-school on-campus music lesson opportunities for our young students.
- Suzuki violin with Silver Strings Suzuki Studio
- Beginning through advanced piano
- Woodwinds (flute, clarinet, saxophone)
- Brass (trumpet and trombone)
- Guitar and Bass Guitar
- Ukelele
- Voice
Registration is open to all students, siblings and parents. Students enrolled in curricular ensembles are highly encouraged to take lessons. We encourage musical enrichment for the whole family so they may share their talents with the community and with each other.
