Where words fail; music speaks.
The music department at SDSS is a vibrant program that exposes students to many facets of music education. It encompasses both students in grade 9 who have played a band instrument before and those who have never had instrumental music.
In later grades (10-12) students build on the skills learned in grade 9 to refine their practice and performance. Our program is well rounded and performance driven.
Music Teachers at SDSS
D. Marlatt - Head of Music
D. Marlatt - Instrumental Music Teacher
M. Sellick-Smith - Vocal Music Teacher
Please feel free to contact any of us for information regarding our department.
Opportunities
Rehearsal Times for Credit Ensembles
Grade 9 Concert Band (AMR1O1)
Wednesday after school from 4:00 - 6:00
Friday morning 8:00 - 9:00
Grade 10 Symphonic Band (AMR201)
Tuesday & Thursday mornings from 7:30 - 9:00
Grade 11 / 12 Wind Symphony (AMR3M1 / 4M1)
Tuesday after school from 4:00 - 6:00
Thursday morning 8:00 - 9:00
Vocal Spartan Sound (ARM103 / 203 / 3M3 / 4M3)
Wednesday & Friday mornings from 7:30-9:00
Extra Curricular Ensembles
Spartan Swing (jazz band)
Thursday after school 3:46-5:00
Small Ensembles
Small ensembles offer a unique opportunity to rehearse and perform with a small number of your friends. This can be like instruments or a mixed instrumental ensemble. You just need to get a group together and find a time when one of the teachers can coach your group. This provides a way for you to play one to a part and try out some more complex or interesting styles of music. These small ensembles perform at school events, community events and during our school concerts. Historically we have had sax quartets, flute ensembles, clarinet choirs, percussion ensembles, low brass ensembles, brass quintets, trombone quartets and trumpet ensembles. There are lots of ways for you to get involved.
Music Council
The department also has a music council which provides leadership opportunities for music students in all grades. This group runs events in the department and helps with promotion of the department throughout the year. They also provide mentoring opportunities for students in the department. Grade 9 students are encouraged to put forth an application around November to become part of the team.
Music Tutors
Each instrument has an "expert" in the department who is available to help others with all aspect of their playing. Emails are available in the department and these students can be contacted for assistance with playing concerns, recording concerns, theory concerns or history help. Anything we do in the department has someone available for help!
Highlights from the School Year - Concerts
Each year the Music Department puts on and participates in a variety of concerts.
The year begins with the annual Student Music Scholarship concert in November. This is an awesome opportunity for the Stouffville family of schools to get together and perform music together. We have Kindergarteners right through to the SDSS Wind Symphony performing that night. What an awesome experience of music making!
Next up is our annual Sounds of the Season concert held in December. This showcases all our department ensembles and is the first performance of our grade 9 Concert Band. Always a very exciting evening that puts people in a festive mood.
As the weather warms up, we put together our Spring Serenade concert in May. This is again, a full department extravaganza where all ensembles perform and demonstrate how far they have progressed throughout the year. Parents are amazed!
In June we have our Outdoor Pops Concert where the Wind Symphony performs their favourite music from all four of their years in the school! Students vote on the music and select their favourite two grade 9 pieces and their favourite pieces from grade 10, 11 and 12. Bring a lawn chair and relax to the sounds of the Wind Symphony!
Also in June we have the Final Vocal Night which showcases the excellent vocal ensembles within our school and highlights some soloists as well.
Lastly in June we have our annual Grade 12 Instrumental Recital Night. This is an awesome evening of student solos from the Grade 12 graduating class. Each student prepares a solo and performs for the family and friends. This is held in the Drama room and creates an intimate setting in which to appreciate the hard work these student do. What a lovely way to end the year!