MUSIC

Music at Immaculate

Our Music Clubs teaches from the basic to advanced knowledged needed to play a wide range of instruments. The skills you learn at our music clubs are invaluable and has many applications.

Our Music Clubs Include:

• Class Music

  The Music Department continues to provide the students with a general knowledge of music and a good basic foundation in music theory. Class music is a two-year course for students in grades 7 and 8. The syllabus is centered on the Grade 2 Theory of Music Syllabus of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), United Kingdom.

  In addition to their tests throughout each term, and the annual end-of-year music examination, at the end of the two-year course in their grade 8 year, the students are given the option of taking the Grade 2 Theory of Music international examination set by the ABRSM.

  Class Music students began taking this international exam in 2004 at the grade 1 level, attaining excellent results, and at times attaining 100% success and many distinction marks. In 2011 the teachers decided to move the classes up to the grade 2 level. In June 2016, 110 students sat the examination. 95% were successful. 28 students achieved distinctions, 33 achieved merits, and 42 received pass marks.

  The playing of the descant recorder and other instruments e.g. boom whackers (pitched percussion instruments) and the use of the electronic media, e.g. educational videos about the various topics, are used in class to facilitate learning.

• Concert Band

  The Concert Band consists mainly of students who play wood wind, and brass instruments. The Concert Band continues to participate in international examinations. In 2014 the Concert Band participated in the Trinity College London Intermediate Ensemble Examination, and attained a distinction.

  In 2015, the band entered the Jamaica Cultural Development (JCDC) Festival and obtained a gold medal at the Parish Finals.

  The Concert Band also participates in school ceremonies e.g. the Heritage Day Concert and the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

• Glee Club

  The school's choir participates in school ceremonies, e.g., Prize-Giving and Graduation, and outreach activities, e.g. performing for the residents and staff at the Ozanam Home for the Aged.

  The choir continues to participate in the international choral examinations set by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), and Trinity College London. In 2016 they received a distinction for the Trinity College London Exam and a merit for the ABRSM Exam.

• Instrument Tuition

  Classes are held for students who would like to learn to play the violin, viola, cello, double-bass, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, saxophone, trombone, French horn, euphonium, and the various professional standard percussion instruments.

  Private tuition is available for piano, guitar and the above instruments except percussion. The students are entered for the various graded practical and theory exams set by the ABRSM and Trinity College London. A few advanced violin students who take private tuition have attained professional Diploma qualifications for performance.

  The school has instruments that the students may rent at a very nominal cost for the school year.

• Music Department

  The Music Department has a tradition of excellence in Music Education that is recognized nationally and internationally. In 2008 the school was one of the recipients of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Centenary Award “in recognition and gratitude for the outstanding contribution to music education in Jamaica and the work of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music”

  In 2008 Immaculate Conception Prep and High Schools celebrated “150 years of Tradition”. Throughout those 150 years the school has had a strong Music Department with special thanks to the late Miss Lisa Narcisse O.D. outstanding teacher, composer, founder and Director of the Glee Club and co-founder and Director of the Alumnae Association.

• Pop Band

  The Pop Band consists of instrumentalists and vocalists. They participate at school functions e.g. Prize-Giving, and the Heritage Day Concert. This group was formed in 2014 by a past teacher Mr. Courtney Brown.

• The Steel Band

  The Steel Band performs for school functions, e.g. Prize-Giving, Heritage Day Concert, Christmas Tree Lighting, functions for the Alumnae Association, and civic ceremonies for visiting dignitaries. The Steel Band has been in popular demand and has even performed at a wedding reception.

• The ICHS Symphony

  The orchestra continues to be very active. It maintains a very high standard of performance. A few external students, alumnae, parents and teachers are honorary members of the orchestra.

  The orchestra participates in school ceremonies, e.g. Graduation, and civic ceremonies, e.g. ceremonies for visiting dignitaries. The orchestra is invited annually to participate in a concert in aid of the Franciscan Ministries.

  In 2015 the orchestra launched its 'Abeng Tour', which featured the premiere of an original composition entitled ‘Abeng’ by Jamaican composer Dr. Andrew Marshall. This composition is for traditional Maroon instruments and symphony orchestra. Members of the Maroon Community in Portland and members of the Jamaica Military Band performed with the orchestra.