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Instrumental Music
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Program Director
Helen Harrelson began her playing career at age 10 on euphonium with the Rotherham Schools Band before progressing to the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain at age 16. She later changed to baritone and was accepted at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where she gained her BMus (Hons). During her studies at the RNCM, Helen was a member of some of the worlds finest brass ensembles with whom she has recorded numerous CDs, radio broadcasts and television appearances as well as winning numerous national titles.
In June 2001 Helen traveled to the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference in Finland to perform with the Lahti Symphony Orchestra. This was the first time a baritone player had been a featured artist at the event. Following this she has given many lecture recitals on the baritone both in Europe and the USA and was also a guest artist for the International Woman's Brass Conference.
Helen taught for 7 years as both a classroom and instrumental music teacher in the Manchester area and regularly worked with youth bands throughout the UK and USA. In 2005 she completed her Open University Post Graduate Certificate of Education, which lead her into the roles of Head of Wider Opportunities Music Curriculum for Bolton Music Authority and Student Teacher Mentor at the Royal Northern College of Music. Summer 2007 saw Helen take a voluntary sabbatical to Kansas City, as part of a cross-cultural study of music education. During this time she also played solo Baritone with the Fountain City Brass Band (US Champion Band 2007, 2008 and 2009) with whom she later formed the Fountain City Youth Brass Academy.
Her love of Kansas City and its people saw her return back to the US in 2008 as band director and music technology teacher at St. James Academy. Since then, she has developed the school’s band and new orchestra program as well as found the SJA Middle School Community Band Project. Helen is also the Dean of St Benedict’s Community and interim Head of Performing Arts.
During her time at St James, Helen was honored by the Kansas Bandmasters Association for outstanding contributions to Music Education and was guest presenter at KMEA and KBA. She also substitute taught for a semester at MidAmerica Nazarene University and has provided clinics and performances through out the U.S.A and Europe. In her spare time, Helen is working on her second Masters Degree at UMKC.
Course Description
CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (1st Semester)
Prerequisite: Must play strings, brass, woodwind, percussion or piano and have access to a private instructor.
This is an ensemble for intermediate and advanced instrumental musicians. Students will perform a wide range of orchestral music and will be taught how to listen and perform musically, both as an individual and in an ensemble. Students will also be required to study music theory and history.
BEGINNER PERCUSSION & KEYBOARD (1st Semester)
The beginner percussion and keyboard class is designed to give students a chance to learn the basics of music through performance on percussion and keyboard instruments. Students will learn how to read music as well as the basic skills required to perform on the instruments. On completion of the class, students may progress to perform as part of the SJA Thunder drum line.
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY 1 (1st Semester)
Prerequisite: Students must be able to pass a basic music theory entrance test.
This class is focused on the creation of music using technology. This includes the concepts of pitch, rhythm, form, and sound construction, as well as music notation. Arranging and editing musical projects using Sibelius software and evaluating merit of the musical content are also covered. The class will learn computer-based techniques for creating, recording and producing projects on GarageBand. Class members will also be taught how to create multi-media presentations.
JAZZ BAND (and small ensembles) (2nd Semester)
Prerequisite: Must play brass, woodwind, percussion, piano or guitar and have access to a private instructor.
This is an ensemble for intermediate and advanced instrumental musicians. Students will perform a wide range of jazz, blues and soul music through which they are encouraged to improve their instrumental skills. They are taught how to listen musically, both as an individual and in an ensemble. Students will also be required to study music theory, the history of music and the fundamental elements of improvisation. This class will also provide students the chance to practice and perform in a variety of small ensemble and solo situations including pep band, quartets, advanced percussion and piano accompaniment for regional solo and ensemble festival.
SJA STRINGS (2nd Semester)
Prerequisite: Must play own instrument and have access to a private instructor.
The SJA Strings Ensemble aims to provide string musicians with a chance to learn and perform solo and ensemble repertoire for regional and state festivals as well as developing each student’s knowledge of music theory and history. Students will perform during some All School Masses.
CRIMSON COLLECTIVE (2nd Semester)
Prerequisite: Must play own instrument
This is a Guitar, Keyboard and Percussion ensemble aimed at developing performance skills through a wide variety of musical genres including blues, rock, pop and soul. Students will also learn how to arrange and create the their own songs in small groups.
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Extra Curriculum and Academic Time Ensembles
Students that play a musical instrument will be placed into Ensembles Academic Time. During this time students may have a study hall or they may take part in rehearsals depending on the season or if the school requires an ensemble to perform at an event. Students in Academic Time Ensembles will be excused from practice to see a teacher if they require extra academic support or are on the study hall/response list.
Aug - Oct = Thunder Drums
Oct - Dec = Strings
Dec - Feb = Thunder Drums
Mar – May = Chamber Orchestra & Advanced Percussion
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SUMMER CAMPS
July 17-22 = MARCHING BAND & DRUM LINE CAMP
August 8-12 = SJA STRINGS
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Regional Piano Competition 2011
Ellen Larson--I Rating
Eric Zheng--I Rating
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