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High School Programs | Praireview School Programs | Middle School Programs | Elementary School Programs
High School Programs
The Waukee High School Vocal Music Department strives to provide a comprehensive musical education for its students. Students are provided a multiplicity of annual experiences including Show Choirs, Jazz Choirs, Madrigal Dinners, Broadway Musicals, Musical Theater Reviews, the All-State Music Festival, Solo/Ensemble Contests, and Masterwork Performances. The Waukee Vocal Music Department places a high quality concert choir program at its center. Providing a strong foundation for a variety of performance styles, this nationally recognized program allows students to experience a buffet of musical styles and traditions, each rooted in excellence.
The high school program, serving students in grades 10-12, consists of three mixed concert choirs, a men’s or Bass Clef ensemble and a women’s or Treble Clef ensemble. Two 9th grade mixed ensembles are available at Waukee Prairieview School. A Cappella Choir, the select concert choir, has received regional and national acclaim for its selection to perform at both regional and national conventions for the American Choral Director’s Association.
Students wising to experience other musical styles have the opportunity to participate in both the show and jazz choir programs. Each has earned regional reputations of excellence. These ensembles consistently earn top honors at festivals and competitions.
Waukee High School’s Vocal Music Department is serviced by three talented full-time directors, two choreographers, a staff accompanist and an active parent support group; The Waukee Vocal Music Boosters. More detailed information regarding the department, course offerings, its performance schedule and other information is included herein.
A Cappella Choir
A Cappella is an auditioned ensemble open to all students enrolled grades 10-12 who elicit a mature vocal tone. Students should have successfully participated for at least one year in the choral program and complete a rigorous audition process. This ensemble provides an intensive and highly rewarding musical experience. In depth study of music from each time period of musical history is explored, including multi-cultural selections from around the world. Vocal production, independence, and musical precision are explored in detail with deliberate emphasis on unaccompanied singing.
A Cappella has earned a reputation for excellence. They frequently perform at various festivals and events and have worked with such notables as the King Singers and international Opera star, Simon Estes. The group has earned division I ratings at the Iowa High School Music Association Large Group Music Festival for the past 21 years. They also perform an annual Renaissance Feaste, frequently record CD’s and tour biennially. A Cappella represented the North Central Division of ACDA at the 2005 National Convention in Los Angeles and again at the 2006 North Central Division Convention in Omaha. The ensemble has most recently been selected to perform at the 2010 NCACDA Convention in Minneapolis. Their performance standards, awards and level of excellence have placed A Cappella as one of top high school ensembles in the United States.
Show Choir
Millennium is the varsity show choir made up of singers, instrumentalists, and crew members from grades 9-12 that started in the fall of 1999. This ensemble is proud to be part of the strong vocal program of Waukee Schools. Millennium has earned several awards over the past few years: 2007 - 1st Runner-up Johnston Show Choir Invitational, 1st Runner-up Westwood Show Choir Invitational, 1st Runner-up Okoboji Invitational; 2006 1st Runner-up Okoboji Invitational as well as “Best Vocals,” and 3rd Runner-up at the Lewis Central Invitational. Millennium is under the direction of Matt Huth and choreographed my Michael Weaver of Chicago, Illinois.
Spirit Show Choir is the newest show choir to the program with its start in the fall of 2004. It is the Prep group that consists of singers, instrumentalists, and crew members from grades 9-12. This ensemble is proud to be part of the strong vocal program of Waukee Schools. The group continues to do well at various show choir invitationals placing in the top 3 in the Prep Division at every competition it has been in. The group is under the direction of Ryan Beeken and Shelly Schaeufele and choreographed by Kevin Breazeale of Chicago, Il.
Jazz Choir
The Waukee High School Vocal Program has an accomplished jazz choir program that strives to attain three ensembles of well balanced and blended voices. Each choir is open to any 9-12 grade student enrolled in the vocal program by audition. Each year, over 100 singers have auditioned for approximately 45 positions in the groups.
Tone Def consists of sixteen 9-12 grade singers. For most of the students, this is their first experience singing in the jazz venue. This ensemble has proven ability for consistent jazz tone, style, and overall excellence.
Soundcheck consists of sixteen 9-12 grade singers and has a consistent record of excellence, including multiple awards and Best Of Iowa Jazz Selections.
Avenue Jazz is the most select ensemble. This group continues to excel at competitions around the state, including “Outstanding Performance” at Kirkwood Vocal Jazz Festival, high honors at the annual Best of Iowa Vocal Jazz Festival, a finalist in the Lite 104.1 Holiday Idol competition, and numerous other performances throughout the years.
Prairieview Programs
Prairieview School houses 8th and 9th grade students in the Waukee District. Vocal Music offerings include 8th Concert Choir, 9th Concert Choir, High Voltage 8th grade show choir, and Spirit/Millennium high school show choirs in which 9th graders may audition for membership. 9th graders may also audition for one of the two high school Jazz Choirs: Avenue Jazz and Sound Check.
Students from both grades are regularly selected for membership in the OPUS Middle School All-State Choirs, attend various festivals, and participate in state and regional competitions.
Each vocal music student receives vocal music lessons each quarter as part of the curriculum. Concerts are held in both the spring and fall for parents and riends to enjoy.
Middle School Programs
6th Grade Chorus
6th Grade Chorus is an elective course where students have the opportunity to perform in two annual concerts. During rehearsals which happen every other day, students focus primarily on sight singing, melodic singing, diction, balance/blend, facial expression, and rehearsal/concert etiquette. Students also work on breath support, rhythmic reading, tone quality, intonation and musicality.
Outside of the school day, students may also audition for the Opus and SCICDA Honor choir. Students may also choose to participate in the YMCA choir after school once a week.
7th Grade Chorus
7th Grade Chorus is an elective course where students have the opportunity to perform in two annual concerts and host a 7th Grade Choral Festival. During rehearsals, students continue to work on the fundamentals begun in 6th Grade: sight singing, breath support, balance/blend, diction, emotional involvement/facial expression, rhythm, melodic singing, tone quality, intonation, musicality, rehearsal/concert etiquette.
Extra-curricular activities for 7th Grade students may also include performing in Stellar Force show choir and the Fall Musical. Students may also audition for the Opus and SCICDA Honor choir and can participate in the YMCA choir after school.
Elementary School Programs
Elementary General Music
All K-5 students participate in 30 minute general music classes twice per cycle. Students learn the basic fundamentals of music: harmony, melody, and rhythm. In each class period, these fundamentals are taught through playing instruments, singing and movement. Each grade level gives a concert once a year for friends and family.
5th Grade Chorus
All 5th Grade students participate in a 45 minute chorus rehearsal once per cycle. Students begin to learn the basics of singing in an ensemble setting: breath support, control of range, posture, and rehearsal etiquette. This ensemble gives two performances during the school year. Students may also elect to audition for the Opus Honor Choir.