- About the Music Program
- Instrumental and Choir Offerings
- Choirs & Vocal Ensembles
- Extra-Curricular Performance Offerings
About the Music Program
The Greater Johnstown School District Music Department is comprised of six dedicated music educators and hundreds of devoted music students. Located in Johnstown, New York, at the foothills of the Adirondacks, the music department continues a long history of excellence in music education. The American Music Conference (AMC) previously honored the Greater Johnstown School District for its commitment to music education by naming it one of the “Best 100 Communities for Music Education in America.” Curricular and co-curricular ensembles have won awards and honors around the state, region and nation. Selected ensembles have traveled across the country and overseas.
Our music teachers frequently attend and present clinics and conferences, and open their classrooms to guest composers, musicians, dancers and other artists. The music department serves two elementary buildings (Pleasant Avenue Elementary School and Warren Street Elementary School), Knox Middle School, and Johnstown High School. Additionally, students from Wheelerville Central School District feed into the Greater Johnstown School District after the eighth grade and Lake Pleasant Central School District students have the option to attend Johnstown High School for grades 10-12. We welcome these students to our school and department.
The music department is active in NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association), MENC (Music Educators National Conference) and FCMEA (Fulton County Music Educators Association). Students attend all-county, area all-state and all-state festivals. Students participate in the NYSSMA solo and small ensemble evaluation festivals as selected ensembles attend the NYSSMA Major Organization festivals.
Instrumental and Choir Offerings
High School
The Johnstown High School bands are directed by Mr. Andrew LaCoppola. Currently, there are two curricular performing groups (Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble), and two co-curricular groups (Jazz Ensemble and Marching Band). Students are given group instrumental lessons each week; these groups may sometimes perform as chamber ensembles, such as Percussion Ensemble, Woodwind Choir, Brass Ensemble, etc.
Symphonic Band
Symphonic Band is the transitional band between the instrumental experiences at Knox and the JHS Wind Ensemble. Symphonic Band, typically working at a NYSSMA level 3-4, is comprised mostly of freshmen and sophomores, as well as some upper classmen who had room in their schedule. The group is full of promising talent! The band rehearses every day during seventh period. The intensive rehearsals provide musical development which virtually guarantees success for the individual performer and for future bands in Johnstown High School. The students take weekly lessons and will learn solo or duet pieces and all their major scales.
Wind Ensemble
Wind Ensemble is the top instrumental ensemble of the high school. It is comprised of mostly junior and seniors, with a few talented sophomores and a few hard-working freshman that made the cut. The group plays at a NYSSMA level 5-6, as well as the standard literature of the band repertoire. The group also experiments with the more contemporary styles of recently composed pieces. The music selected for this group truly relies on the individual performers. These students take weekly lessons, learn solo works, small ensemble pieces and all their major scales. The Wind Ensemble meets every day during second period, making great music together. The group will continue to perform major contemporary works from the band repertoire as well as some lighter numbers for the enjoyment of our audiences.
All students in the program are required to present a performance final, which mirrors the requirements of a NYSSMA solo performance. This final exam determines their placement for the following year. The students are also encouraged to attend the NYSSMA Solo Festival in the Spring to perform for a trained adjudicator and receive a rating.
Junior High School
The junior high school bands are directed by Mrs. Jennifer Casey and include two curricular performing ensembles: the Seventh Grade Band and the Eighth Grade Band, as well as extra-curricular performance offerings.
Band provides an environment for students to improve on their major instruments in a large group setting. They will work together as a team to prepare diverse literature for performance. Seventh Grade Band students perform music that reinforces basic musicianship and ensemble skills. Eighth Grade Band members perform more challenging music and strive to refine their musicianship. Both ensembles perform for the Winter and Spring Concerts and the GJSD All City Concert to Celebrate Music in Our Schools Month. The Seventh Grade Band also performs for the eighth grade promotion ceremony. Band members are required to participate in all scheduled performances and lessons.
Band students are required to attend a weekly small group lesson focusing on performance techniques and pedagogy specific to their instrument. Lessons meet once a week on the same day but during a different period to prevent repeatedly missing the same class. It is the student’s responsibility to check for missed class work. Each week students will be given homework assignments to practice.
Prerequisites for Junior High Band:
Seventh Grade Band: Successful completion of Elementary Band program
Eighth Grade Band: Successful completion of Seventh Grade Band
Jazz Band: participation in 7th or 8th Grade Band
(Exceptions may be made based on teacher discretion.)
Elementary Band
Elementary school students have the opportunity to begin instruction on a musical instrument in fifth and sixth grade.
Warren Street Elementary School has a concert band consisting of second year instrumentalists and the more advanced first year band students. Students involved with the concert band perform for Veteran’s Day assemblies, the Winter Concert, the All-City Band & Chorus concert in May, and end of the year assemblies.
In celebration of national Music in Our Schools Month, each concert band performs for the community at the Johnstown Senior Citizens Center, the Wells House Nursing Home, or the Willing Helpers Home for Women.
Selected second year players perform with the Fulton County Music Educators Association’s All County elementary band held in February.
Choirs and Vocal Ensembles
High School
Concert Choir
Concert Choir is designed as an entry-level choral experience for freshmen and sophomores, or for those new to the choral program at JHS. Students will work on issues specific to their vocal needs, including pitch and rhythmic accuracy and sight-reading, good vocal techniques, breathing, and posture. This class also teaches basic ensemble etiquette and rehearsal techniques and will equip students to succeed in more advanced choral settings, either later in their high school career or in collegiate, community, or other choral organization. Students receive semi-private weekly small group lessons. In addition to rehearsals, the Concert Choir participates in 3-5 concerts each year, collaborating with other ensembles in the JHS Music Program.
Women’s Choir
For women with Intermediate to Advanced skill in choral singing, this ensemble reinforces the concepts and techniques taught in Concert Choir and then seeks to build on those experiences. Members sing three and four part treble music, focusing on tone, blend, intonation, and accuracy. Members of Women’s Choir participate in small group lessons and may participate in NYSSMA solo festival and Major Organization adjudications. Women’s Choir members also perform in smaller groups at Basketball games and other venues in the community as the pieces are ready.
Chamber Choir
The most advanced curricular singing group at JHS, Chamber Choir meets daily and focuses on providing high quality performance and rehearsal experiences for its members. The “flagship” ensemble of the JHS Vocal Music department, Chamber Choir regularly represents the department to outside organizations, performing joint concerts, singing the National Anthem at sporting events, presenting concerts as community service at nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, and serving the school by singing at assemblies and presentations. Membership is by audition the previous spring, and students are expected to master the fundamentals taught in Concert Choir and Women’s Choir. Members have demonstrated the highest level of sight-reading ability, vocal techniques, rehearsal etiquette, dedication, and a willingness to go “above and beyond” the minimum requirements. In addition to community service and local concert presentations, the Chamber Choir is adjudicated annually at the NYSSMA Major Organization festival and sings periodically for the Music in Our Schools Month concerts at the State Capital. Regular overnight tours are planned to expose students to different performing venues and evaluators.
Junior High
There are three different choruses junior high students may participate in. They are the Purple Chorus, the Gold Chorus, and the Select Chorus. Theses chorus classes are designed to promote musical growth in every student by further developing vocal skills and learning to read music. Although primarily performance based, there is a strong emphasis on sight-reading, ear training, and basic music theory. The course is designed as a comprehensive approach to musicianship giving students an opportunity to listen, sing, evaluate, and study different styles of music.
The Purple Chorus consists of mostly seventh graders and is primarily a two-part chorus. The Gold Chorus consists of mostly eighth graders and is primarily a three-part chorus. The Select Chorus is an optional chorus in which the students join by audition. In the Select Chorus, the students pick their own music and put together their own choreography.
Elementary Chorus
Elementary students in grades 5 & 6 have the opportunity to join the elementary choral ensemble under the direction of Miss Jenna Poling. Students learn vocal technique and musicianship, music reading skills, discover diverse music genres, apply concepts learned in their general music class and gain valuable performing experience to prepare them for their continued school music education at Knox and JHS.
During their choral year, students perform a festive Winter Concert at their home school, various school assembly programs, and a Spring All City Concert in May with all three elementary school choirs. Additionally, choral students have the opportunity to perform as part of an All City Select Prism Choir at Johnstown High School to celebrate Music in Our Schools Month in March. An All County Select Elementary Chorus also performs at an annual Festival, providing choral students the opportunity to perform with other students from Fulton County.
Extra-Curricular Performance Offerings
High School
Jazz Ensemble
Under the direction of Mr. Andrew LaCoppola, these dedicated musicians rehearse at the high school twice a week. Instrumentation includes alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones, trumpets, trombones, piano, guitar, bass, drums, and percussion.
The group prepares music from pop to swing, big band to samba, and other styles. Students are also exposed to jazz history, artists, and listening during rehearsals. The jazz band performs at the Winter Concert, GJSD All City Concert to Celebrate Music in Our Schools Month, and Spring Concert. Additional performances may be scheduled around the community. A commitment to before-school rehearsals is required to be a member of the group.
Marching Band
The Johnstown High School Marching Band, directed by Mr. Andrew LaCoppola, performs during two seasons: Fall and Spring.
The Fall Marching Band rehearses two days a week after school, preparing music as a Pep Band for home football games and the annual Pep Rally, as well as preparing for Johnstown’s annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony and Holiday Parade.
The Spring Marching Band rehearses two evenings a week in preparation for the annual Memorial Day parades in Johnstown and Gloversville.
This band affords the students the opportunity to perform their music as both entertainment and community service.
Junior High School
Spring Marching Band
Marching Band gives students an opportunity to experience parade marching. Drill, posture and standard repertoire will be covered. Performances include the Veteran’s Day ceremony and the Memorial Parades in Johnstown and Gloversville. (Prerequisite: member of band program)
Fall Pep Band
Participation in Pep Band is a fun way to support our varsity football team and show school spirit. Students will perform tunes from the stands to help rouse the crowd. They will also perform for the homecoming bonfire and pep-rally. (Prerequisite: member of band program)
Jazz Band
Jazz Band is designed to develop students’ knowledge and appreciation of jazz. In rehearsal, students are exposed to basic jazz styles and beginning improvisation skills. Instrumentation may be customized to include non-traditional jazz instruments. Due to a limited number of parts, rhythm section members will be determined by audition (bass, guitar, percussion & piano). (Prerequisite: member of band program)
NYSSMA Solo Festival
This festival provides a unique musical challenge outside of regular school activities. Students will be adjudicated on their instrument and receive constructive comments from an adjudicator. It is not a competition, but a chance to learn and grow as a musician. Students will perform a solo, scales and sight read. (Prerequisite: member of band program)
Fulton County Music Festival
Each year the Fulton County Music Educators Association hosts the Fulton County Music Festival. The Junior High Band is organized to perform biannually. Students are recommended by their band directors to be selected to perform in this group. The ensemble is comprised of students from Johnstown, Gloversville, Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville, Mayfield, Northville, Wells and Lake Pleasant. They combine to form a large concert band typically between 80-100 students. A guest conductor works with the ensemble over the course of two days and the festival concludes with a concert. (Prerequisite: member of band program)
Small Ensembles
Small ensembles may be formed throughout the year to perform for various school and/or community events. Participation will give students a chance to gain more experience playing in an ensemble setting. (Prerequisite: member of band program)