Music

Students playing the Gamelan.

Music in Lower School
Music-making in the Lower School is an active process where children begin their journeys as singers, instrumentalists, movers, and creators. Students learn music similar to the way one acquires a new language; music is primarily taught by ear, with students experiencing and creating music before they learn to read and write musical notation. All students have access to a comprehensive and varied curriculum centered on popular music, world music, and instrumental instruction.

Lower School Music Descriptions

Lower School Music Opportunities Outside of the Classroom

Please note that all of these opportunities are included in the cost of tuition.

Lower School String Orchestra I (Grades 2 - 5)
Wednesday from 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.
Lower School Orchestra I is an instrumental ensemble at Pike for students who play or would like to learn how to play a string instrument like the violin, viola, cello, or double bass. In this group, both beginners will learn how to play string instruments in an ensemble setting. Students will have the opportunity to learn music from a wide range of genres, and perform a concert at the end of the year. Instrument rentals are available through The Pike School via a partnership with Johnson Strings and will be coordinated with families after sign-up.

Lower School String Orchestra II (Grades 3 - 5)
Wednesday from 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.
Lower School Orchestra II is an instrumental ensemble at Pike for students who play a string instrument like the violin, viola, cello, or double bass and have already been a part of Lower School Orchestra for at least one full year and/or have been enrolled in private lessons for at least a year. In this group, students will continue to develop their skills on their respective string instruments in an ensemble setting. Students will have the opportunity to learn music from a wide range of genres, and perform a concert at the end of the year. Instrument rentals are available through The Pike School via a partnership with Johnson Strings and will be coordinated with families after sign-up. If your child is new to Pike, please email Mr. Philips at gphilips@pikeschool.org to discuss which orchestra level is the best fit for your child.

Note: Lower School Orchestra I & II are full year programs, and students who register are expected to remain throughout the year and participate in our end-of-year performance on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 3pm.

Pike Chorus (Grades 3 - 5)
Mondays from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Pike Chorus is an ensemble for students who love to sing. In this group, students learn how to grow as singers, sing in two and three-part harmony, and build their confidence as performers. All voices are welcome in this ensemble regardless of prior experience. Note: Pike Chorus is a full year program, and students who register are expected to remain throughout the year and participate in all scheduled performances. View the scheduled after school performances for the 2024-2025 school year.


Gamelan Sleeping Fox (Grades 3 - 9)
Thursdays from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.Gamelan Sleeping Fox is an ensemble for students interested in learning how to play traditional Balinese music from Bali, Indonesia. In this group, your child will learn how to play different instruments in a Balinese gamelan orchestra, as well as learn about Balinese culture. Please be aware that space in this ensemble is necessarily limited to 25 students due to the number of instruments available for students to play. All students are welcome to join regardless of prior musical experience or ability. Note: Gamelan Sleeping Fox is a full year program and students who register are expected to remain throughout the year and participate in all scheduled performances. View the scheduled after school performances for the 2024-2025 school year.

Upper School student playing the guitar.

Music in Upper School

In the Upper School emphasis is put on reading and writing music and understanding musical symbols and vocabulary. Students study music from a historical perspective and experience music from various genres.

With the help of the Garage Band app, students learn to create music in a digital environment and be able to develop their individual musical skills. Students have a chance to see and use the techniques that help create the music they listen to on a regular basis.
 

Upper School Music Descriptions by Grade

Upper School Music Opportunities Outside of the Classroom

Please note that all of these opportunities are included in the cost of tuition.

Pikeappella (Grades 6 - 9)
Mondays from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m
Pikeappella is an afterschool ensemble for students who love to sing. In this group, students work on the fundamentals of group singing in 2, 3, and 4 part harmony, both a cappella and accompanied, and develop their confidence as performers. Students have the opportunity to work with special guest artists and perform throughout the year. Students will have various performance opportunities, both in school and after school. Note: Pikeappella is a full year program, and students who register are expected to remain throughout the year and participate in all scheduled performances. View the scheduled after school performances for the 2024-2025 school year.

Pike Bucket Drumming Ensemble (Grades 5 - 9)
Tuesdays from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Pike Bucket Drumming Ensemble is an ensemble for students who love percussion. In this group, students learn how to perform and create original music on bucket drums, read rhythm notation, develop their coordination through drum rudiments, and learn about choreography. All students are welcome regardless of prior musical and/or drumming experience. Note: Bucket Drumming Ensemble is a full year program, and students who register are expected to remain throughout the year and participate in all scheduled performances. View the scheduled after school performances for the 2024-2025 school year.

Pike Chorus (Grades 3 - 5)
Mondays from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Pike Chorus is an ensemble for students who love to sing. In this group, students learn how to grow as singers, sing in two and three-part harmony, and build their confidence as performers. All voices are welcome in this ensemble regardless of prior experience. Note: Pike Chorus is a full year program, and students who register are expected to remain throughout the year and participate in all scheduled performances. View the scheduled after school performances for the 2024-2025 school year.

Pitch Pikes (Grades 6 - 9)
Fridays from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
**Requires student to be signed up for Pikeappella as well
Pitch Pikes is an advanced choral ensemble for students looking for extra singing challenges. We work on a cappella repertoire, often at a high school level. Students in this ensemble are comfortable with singing in harmony and holding their own part. Students will have a variety of performance opportunities, both in school and after-school. In addition, students will have the opportunity to work with special guest artists and perform throughout the year.

Gamelan Sleeping Fox (Grades 3 - 9)
Thursdays from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Gamelan Sleeping Fox is an ensemble for students interested in learning how to play traditional Balinese music from Bali, Indonesia. In this group, your child will learn how to play different instruments in a Balinese gamelan orchestra, as well as learn about Balinese culture. Please be aware that space in this ensemble is necessarily limited to 25 students due to the number of instruments available for students to play. All students are welcome to join regardless of prior musical experience or ability. Note: Gamelan Sleeping Fox is a full year program and students who register are expected to remain throughout the year and participate in all scheduled performances. View the scheduled after school performances for the 2024-2025 school year.

Lower School String Orchestra I (Grades 2 - 5)
Wednesday from 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.
Lower School Orchestra I is an instrumental ensemble at Pike for students who play or would like to learn how to play a string instrument like the violin, viola, cello, or double bass. In this group, both beginners will learn how to play string instruments in an ensemble setting. Students will have the opportunity to learn music from a wide range of genres, and perform a concert at the end of the year. Instrument rentals are available through The Pike School via a partnership with Johnson Strings and will be coordinated with families after sign-up.

Lower School String Orchestra II (Grades 3 - 5)
Wednesday from 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.
Lower School Orchestra II is an instrumental ensemble at Pike for students who play a string instrument like the violin, viola, cello, or double bass and have already been a part of Lower School Orchestra for at least one full year and/or have been enrolled in private lessons for at least a year. In this group, students will continue to develop their skills on their respective string instruments in an ensemble setting. Students will have the opportunity to learn music from a wide range of genres, and perform a concert at the end of the year. Instrument rentals are available through The Pike School via a partnership with Johnson Strings and will be coordinated with families after sign-up. If your child is new to Pike, please email Mr. Philips at gphilips@pikeschool.org to discuss which orchestra level is the best fit for your child.

Note: Lower School Orchestra I & II are full year programs, and students who register are expected to remain throughout the year and participate in our end-of-year performance on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 3pm.

Upper School String Orchestra (Grades 5 - 9)
Tuesdays from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. & Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.
Upper School Orchestra is an instrumental ensemble for students who already play violin, viola, or cello. We meet twice a week, Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings. In this group, we work on music from a wide variety of genres and time periods including Classical, Baroque, Romantic, Folk, Film music, and more. In this ensemble, we work to develop strong musicianship skills. We play music in a large variety of keys and tempos, and we work to develop ensemble skills. Students will have opportunities to work with guest artists and professional musicians and will have a variety of performance opportunities, both in school and after-school.

Note: Upper School Orchestra is a full year program, and students who register are expected to remain throughout the year and participate in all scheduled performances. View the scheduled after school performances for the 2024-2025 school year.