Music

Hanshew Music has three basic offerings:  Each separate class is offered at the 7th and 8th grade levels and are year long, progressive classes.  

Band – Instrumental Music

Intermediate Band (7th grade) focuses on re-instating and then developing the basic concepts students should have learned in an elementary, sixth grade beginning band class.  Three sections are offered and are to be taken for the entire school year should a student decide to participate.  Emphasis on music reading and performance are foremost.  Three or four performances per school year are the norm.

Advanced Band is offered twice per day (two sections) and has a pre-requisite: the student must have intermediate band experience at Hanshew or another middle school or junior high to be eligible to join.  This class is reserved for 8th graders. The class is a full year study, like intermediate band, and it involves playing more difficult music.  Emphasis on musicianship and developing a true sense of group dynamics are foremost.  Five to seven performances per school year are the norm.

Jazz Band is an extra-curricular offering at Hanshew and as such does not take place during the regular school day.  It is an audition group and participation in the group is decidedly allowed by the band director.  This is the most advanced band ensemble and requires a good understanding of  basic musical knowledge, technical ability on one’s own instrument, and dedication to rehearsals before school.  The group generally performs more than any other music group at Hanshew and meets two or three times per week at 7 AM.  Again, dedication from PARENTS and students alike are key to the band’s success.

Orchestra – Instrumental Music

Orchestra is offered for seventh graders twice per day, second and third period.  Advanced Orchestra for 8th grade students is offered only once per day during fifth period.  Please ask Mr. Zuehlsdorff (Mr. “Z”) about our orchestra program. Call 267-0238 or e-mail Zuehlsdorff_Vance@asdk12.org.  

Choir – Vocal Music

Choir is offered in the morning and the afternoon.  Generally, 7th grade students participate in the morning, first period,  and 8th grade choir is in the afternoon, seventh period.  Anyone can sign up for choir and is certainly encouraged to do so.  Emphasis on the study of music in choir is key. Performance opportunities are plenty throughout the school year and any student can and will learn to sing if they choose to take choir for the year.  Male voices in particular are encouraged to join choir as Mrs. McCubrey is usually short on those voices.  Please ask her about being a part of the Hanshew choir program.  Call 267-0263 or e-mail McCubrey_Cari@asdk12.org.