Welcome to the Chorus and General Music Page here at The Academy. My name is Beth Brooks and I am excited about the 2022-2023 school year!  With an extensive background as a professional performer, as well as over 19 years of experience teaching music literacy, vocal pedagogy, and beginning piano and ukulele, I strive to expand my students’ musical experiences while building their confidence, their communication skills, and their appreciation for the arts.  Each grade level course that I teach has been tailored to do just that.

6th Grade

General Music - Students receive an introduction to some of the basic fundamentals in music literacy, as well as beginner ukulele and piano techniques.  (9-weeks course)

Chorus - Students begin to build a solid foundation in note reading and vocal pedagogy while exploring a wide variety of choral literature.  (Semester course)

7th Grade

General Music 1 - Students learn and explore music literacy fundamentals such as  music vocabulary, note reading, and composition. They will also be given opportunities to experience improvisation and performance in a comfortable, non-threatening atmosphere within the classroom.  (Semester course)

V-PAC Chorus - Students that love to sing will enjoy being Chorus Majors in our Visual and Performing Arts Company.  These students focus on vocal pedagogy, sight-singing skills, and choral techniques through a wide variety of high quality choral literature.  This class is for dedicated singers that are expected to perform for various events/occasions throughout the year, as well as compete in annual music festivals in the spring.  (Year-long course)

8th Grade

General Music 1 - This course is for those students that did not take General Music 1 in 7th grade.  Students learn and explore music literacy fundamentals such as  music vocabulary, note reading, and composition. They are also given opportunities to experience improvisation and performance in a comfortable, non-threatening atmosphere within the classroom.  (Spring semester course)

General Music 2- This course is only for students that have completed and passed General Music 1 during 7th grade  or the fall semester of 8th grade.  Students dive deeper into music literacy, pushing their music skills to the next level by incorporating key changes, meter and tempo changes, and even some transposition.  These students spend more time learning to compose their own music for piano and ukulele, as well as solo and small ensemble voices.  (Fall semester course)

V-PAC Chorus - Students must audition to be a Chorus Major in our 8th grade Visual and Performing Arts Company.  These students continue to focus and improve on vocal pedagogy, sight-singing skills, and choral techniques through a wide variety of high quality choral literature.  This class is for dedicated singers that are expected to perform for various events/occasions throughout the year, as well as compete in annual music festivals in the spring.  (Year-long course)