At Saint Joe, students can choose from a variety of classes:

Concert Band - Students who play a wind or percussion instrument can take Concert Band during the school day, or sign up for Zero Hour Band which meets from 7:15-8:00 am on school days.  In addition to focusing on music literacy and working on solo and ensemble repertoire for ISSMA festivals and performances, the Concert Band also serves as the Pep Band for home Football and Basketball games. As the Pep Band, students get to contribute to the game day atmosphere and serve as community ambassadors.

Orchestra - Students who play a string instrument can take Orchestra during the Fall semester. In addition to music literacy and group ensemble pieces, students are placed into chamber groups with others who play on a similar level and work on pieces for the ISSMA solo and ensemble festival which happens in late January/early February of each school year. The Orchestra and Concert Band share a concert, usually on the second Wednesday of December. They play their own repertoire and at least one piece together.

Choir - Did you know that medical studies show that when you sing with someone else or a large group, your heartbeats will sync up? That is just one of the benefits of singing in a choir!

Students who are interested in developing their singing skills may choose to join the choir. In addition to assisting with Mass music, Choir teaches students how to follow their part and how to sight-sing their music. We also dive into the mechanics of singing and help students be aware of how their body's movement can make singing easier or harder. The Choir sings sacred music as well as folk songs, popular music and musical theater. Depending on interest, Choir may explore some Show Choir repertoire as well. They perform at concerts with other musical ensembles.

Instrumental Ensemble - This class is designed for percussion students (drummers) who are looking to perform percussion repertoire as well as prepare music to be performed with the band/orchestra/choir. Students will learn techniques for playing unpitched instruments (drums), pitched instruments (including xylophone, bells, marimba, chimes, tympani) as well as the plethora of auxiliary percussion instruments that come from a variety of world cultures (ex. Maracas, castanets, djembe). They perform with the Concert Band/Orchestra/Choir at concerts and also as their own ensemble.

Group Piano I & II - Did you play the piano when you were small and regret that you quit?  Are you interested in music but you don't know where to begin? Do you already play the piano and want some focused time to improve during school? Group Piano I & II is a great class.