Music
Curriculum
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Music, Art & Theatre
Music Department
Your guide to K-12 Music Progression
Course Overview
The Manhasset Music Department provides a robust and comprehensive curriculum that cultivates musical skills, creativity, and performance opportunities for students from elementary to high school. The Manhasset music program provides students with ample opportunity to grow as musicians. We know that this benefits students in ways that extend beyond the music classroom, and are proud to be a high-achieving school district with such a robust music program. Students in our schools can expect the following courses of study:
K-6 Classroom Music:
Students develop their creativity, musicianship, language, gross, and fine motor skills (and more!) through a comprehensive k-6 classroom music curriculum. Students play instruments, sing, dance, compose, connect to, and respond to musics from around the world. With the fundamental belief that singing and presentation are foundational skills, students participate in numerous choir/sing-a-long activities in the younger grades. A more formal choral experience is introduced in 4th grade in addition to the classroom music within each child's schedule.
Middle School Music:
Courses offered in Middle School focus on the performing aspect of music. We offer courses at differing levels of rigor to ensure students are appropriately challenged.
- Concert Band, Wind Ensemble
- Concert Orchestra, String Ensemble
- Middle School Chorus, Chamber Singers
Please reach out to your child's music teacher with any questions about what might the proper placement for your child. Placements are reflective of a match between a student's skill set and the musical level of the group and are set for the school year. Families are welcome to discuss following year placements with their music teacher.
High School Music:
Our high school music courses increase in rigor compared to our Middle School courses. Again, leveled courses provide opportunities for students to be placed in a course that best matches their skill. Students wishing to grow in non-performance focused creativity may wish to explore the music production course.
- Concert Orchestra, Symphonic Orchestra
- Concert Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble
- Men's Choir, Women's Choir, Symphonic Choir
- Music Production/Songwriting/Music Theory
Music Pathways K-12
Choral Pathway
- 4-6 Chorus
- Chamber Choir
- MS Chorus
- Chamber Singers
- Concert Choir
- Mens/Womens Choir
- Symphonic Choir
- Mens/Womens Honor Choir
General Music
- K-6 Classroom Music
Instrumental Pathway
- 4th Grade Band/Orchestra
- Concert Band & Orchestra
- Jazz Band & Chamber Orch
- MS Orchestra & Concert Band
- String & Wind Ensemble
- HS Orchestra & Concert Band
- Marching Band
- Symphonic Orch. & Wind Ensemble
Music Technology
- Music Production & Song Writing 1
- Music Production & Song Writing 2
K-12 Music Progression
Below is the K-12 music progression graphic that outlines the typical pathway for students in our program (plain text included below graphic:
K–12 Music Pathways
Elementary School (K–6)
Classroom Music (all students)Chorus begins in grades 4–6
Chamber Choir available
Instrumental begins in Grade 4:
Band or Orchestra
Options include:
Concert Band & Orchestra
Jazz Band & Chamber Orchestra
Middle School
Choral Pathway
MS Chorus (curricular ensemble)Chamber Singers (auditioned curricular ensemble)
Instrumental Pathway
MS Orchestra & Concert Band (curricular ensemble)String & Wind Ensemble (auditioned curricular ensembles)
High School
Choral Pathway
Men’s/Women’s Choir (curricular ensemble)Symphonic Choir (auditioned curricular ensemble)
Instrumental Pathway
HS Orchestra & Concert Band (curricular ensembles)Marching Band (extra-curricular)
Symphonic Orchestra & Wind Ensemble (auditioned curricular ensemble)
Music Technology / Creative Courses
Music Production & Songwriting 1 (elective)Music Production & Songwriting 2 (elective)
If you have any questions about the progression or prerequisites, please contact the Music Department.Contact Us
For inquiries about the music program, progression, or specific courses, reach out to your school’s music teacher or the Music Department.
NYSSMA
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NYSSMA
The Solo NYSSMA Registration window for all instruments except piano has closed.
Piano Registrations remain available until February 28, 2025.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How to Register for a NYSSMA Solo
Create a DaCapo Inventory Account. Your school music teacher will be able to provide you with the necessary access codes to properly link your child account to the parent account. Once you get setup with an account you can see this tutorial video on how to register. Registering for the proper festival can be tricky. If you're not sure, please ask a music teacher.
What is NYSSMA?
The Solo festival is a voluntary experience organized by the New York State School Music Association. Students select a piece of music from a list of approved pieces, and perform for an adjudicator who provides a score and feedback. NYSSMA has their own set of rules and guidelines, which are explained in the NYSSMA Manual. Our Music Teachers have copies of the manual, and private teachers often do, too.
Why should my child do NYSSMA?
Solo NYSSMA can serve different purposes for different children. It's a good opportunity to help give motivation and goal setting experience. For those students seeking to be more competitive in their musicianship, sometimes performing a NYSSMA solo at a certain level can be a requirement. For example, all-county and all-state have NYSSMA requirements. Picking a piece that is at an appropriate level helps students develop and maintain their love of music.
How should my child prepare for NYSSMA?
The nature of solo NYSSMA is that students should select a piece on a level that they can work on almost entirely independently. We believe that NYSSMA is a great experience for those who choose to participate, though it is an outside-of-school activity. With full teaching schedules, Manhasset music teachers have limited time for instruction on individual NYSSMA solos. Often times, students wishing to participate request the help of private instructors.
What if my solo isn’t in the Manual?
There are two choices. First- select a different solo that’s in the manual. Second- perform the solo for comments- the rating will be listed as “Comments Only,” which means that no grade is given.
What if I want to change my solo from the one written on the application?
That’s fine- with the following explanation-
♩ If you signed up for a Level 1-4 solo, you can move to any other Level 1-4 solo.
♩ If you signed up for a Level 5-6 solo, you can move to any other Level 5-6 solo. You can also move down to Level 1-4 if desired.
♩ If you signed up for a Level 1-4 solo, you may not move up to a Level 5-6 solo, as it comes with a higher fee and a longer time slot.
What do I wear to my audition?
There is no dress code for NYSSMA, but keep in mind that this is a performance, so dress appropriately.
What do I bring to the audition?
♪ Your Playing permit
♪ Your music. (ORIGINALS ONLY- ABSOLUTELY NO PHOTO-COPIES!!!) You will need music for yourself and for the judge. If your piece has a piano part and you won’t have an accompanist who’ll need it, you can give that to the judge- saving you from having to obtain a second music sheet. To avoid problems, purchase your sheet music from Catalano and not an online publisher.
Why are we not allowed to have photocopies?
Photocopies of copyrighted materials are illegal. Legally purchased printouts (from websites such as sheetmusic.com) are acceptable.
Can anyone come in the audition with me?
Yes! You can bring anyone you’d like into the audition. They can listen to your scales/rudiments and your solo/ensemble selection. However, they have to leave the room during the sight-reading portion of the audition.
Concerts
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Music Department
Concert Information
Your guide to upcoming concerts, performances, and expectations
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Concert Schedule
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Elementary School
Both Shelter Rock and Munsey Park provide a full offering of Band Orchestra and Chorus Performances
Concert Band, Concert Orchestra - Evenings in December and May
Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble - Evenings in May
4th Grade "Cadet" Band and Orchestra - Daytime in May
4th Grade Chorus - Daytime in December and May
5th & 6th Grade Chorus - Evenings in December and May
Middle School
MS Band: Concert Band, Wind Ensemble
MS Orchestra: String Ensemble, Concert Orchestra
MS Chorus: 7th and 8th Grade Choirs, Chamber Singers
High School
Concert Band, HS Wind Ensemble
Concert Orchestra, Symphonic Orchestra
Concert Choir, Men’s & Women’s Choirs
Special Performances: Pops Concert, Chamber Recital
Both Shelter Rock and Munsey Park provide a full offering of Band Orchestra and Chorus Performances
Concert Band, Concert Orchestra - Evenings in December and May
Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble - Evenings in May
4th Grade "Cadet" Band and Orchestra - Daytime in May
4th Grade Chorus - Daytime in December and May
5th & 6th Grade Chorus - Evenings in December and May
Middle School
MS Band: Concert Band, Wind Ensemble
MS Orchestra: String Ensemble, Concert Orchestra
MS Chorus: 7th and 8th Grade Choirs, Chamber Singers
High School
Concert Band, HS Wind Ensemble
Concert Orchestra, Symphonic Orchestra
Concert Choir, Men’s & Women’s Choirs
Special Performances: Pops Concert, Chamber Recital
Concert Attire
Elementary School
Band/Orchestra/Chorus: White top, black bottom, formal shoes
Jazz Band/Chamber Choir: T-shirts, black bottoms
Middle School
All ensembles: All-black formal attire
High School
Choir: Choir blazers (provided), khakis, or formal dresses
Orchestra & Band: All black or black suit with tie
Band/Orchestra/Chorus: White top, black bottom, formal shoes
Jazz Band/Chamber Choir: T-shirts, black bottoms
Middle School
All ensembles: All-black formal attire
High School
Choir: Choir blazers (provided), khakis, or formal dresses
Orchestra & Band: All black or black suit with tie
Attendance Requirements
All rehearsals and performances are mandatory. Please notify the teacher in case of an unavoidable absence.
Special Events
NYSSMA Festival
Information on registration, requirements, and key dates for participants.
Information on registration, requirements, and key dates for participants.