Instrumental and Vocal Music
Music is part of our daily life at Explorer West! All students gain skills and confidence as instrumentalists, vocalists, and students of music. Music strengthens, energizes, and engages our community!
There are three main components in the music department:
All students at Explorer West learn to sing in an ensemble! Students learn vocal music using solfege sight-singing techniques (do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti). A wide variety of repertoire is learned, including music from different genres and cultures.
Students may choose from the following instruments: violin, viola, cello, string bass, flute, clarinet, oboe*, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, or French horn. Check out the Instrument Choice Room to learn more about each instrument.
*The oboe is only recommended if a student has previously studied the clarinet.
Piano and guitar are not offered to students as a primary instrument choice. We do not offer piano and guitar to beginners (students not taking lessons outside of school). If a student studies piano or guitar privately (as in they take regular private lessons), we can find ways to informally incorporate piano or guitar into their music studies. These students will still need to choose a traditional band/orchestra instrument as their primary instrument (as listed above), so they can rehearse with their section and have the full ensemble experience.
Percussion is offered as an option to students beginning in 7th grade.
We have a small number of instruments available for rent from EW for a small fee. These instruments are granted to families in order of financial need. In the fall of each school year, families may ask to be placed on the waiting list for a school instrument.
Students perform twice annually at Winter Arts Night and Spring Arts Night!
