Music
Music is an important part of what makes Northlea special. All students have opportunities to perform through classroom choirs, the Junior Choir and the Band. These groups perform at the December Winter Holiday Concert, Kiwanis Music Festival in February and the Spring Concert in May. For performances, all students should wear a plain, white, long-sleeved shirt or turtleneck, with navy blue pants for boys, and either navy blue pants or a navy blue skirt with navy tights for girls.
Junior Choirs
Grades 5 & 6
Under the direction of Mr. Bondy and Ms. Konjhodzic
The Junior Choir competes in several categories in the annual Kiwanis Music Festival each February where Northlea’s students have shown excellence year after year. In addition to the regular performances, each year the Junior Choir enjoys appearing at one or two special venues such as the Toronto District School Board Spring Festival Concert and TD Canada Trust Centre Branch.
Interested students must sign an agreement about expectations for behaviour and attendance. Sign-up forms are sent home with the students in September. The Junior Choir holds rehearsals are Tuesdays 7:45 – 8:45 a.m. and Thursdays 12:00 – 12:40 p.m. from October through May. All rehearsals feature piano accompaniment. Choir members are asked to contribute a fee at the beginning of the year to cover the cost of sheet music and the accompanist.
In addition to the required attire above, Junior Choir members are also supplied with a green Northlea vest to be worn at all performances and returned at the end of the year.
The Junior Choir relies on parent volunteers to help organize and supervise performances and special events. Parents receive lots of notice and our enthusiastic singers welcome your support.
Instrumental Music
Grades 7 through 8
Under the direction of Ms. Loucks
Starting in September, students will commence the Instrumental Music Program at Northlea in Grade 7. Students in Grades 7 & 8 will receive musical instruction twice weekly for 50 minutes. Students are assigned to an instrument based on a number of factors including a balanced class instrumentation model. In general, students will begin playing their assigned instrument during the second Instrumental Music class back in September.
All students are expected to have and/or purchase the class Method Book for use during Grades 7 & 8. In addition, students have the option of owning, renting or borrowing a school instrument. There is a maintenance fee charged for the use of school instruments, and for sanitary reasons, a mouthpiece must be purchased.
Beginning in September, Grade 6 students may get involved in band extra-curricular opportunities. Students in Grades 6 – 8 may participate as part of the Northlea Band, which will rehearses twice weekly at noon in the Instrumental Music Room. The Northlea Band will have the opportunity to play at the Winter and Spring School Concerts, as well as other possible opportunities to be arranged throughout the year. Interested students must sign an agreement regarding expectations for behaviour and attendance.