Musical Groups

Band and Orchestra

  • Band and Orchestra lessons are a vital part of learning an instrument. Each instrumental music student will receive one group lesson each week per instrument. Regular lesson attendance is required in order to participate in all related music department rehearsals, concerts, and activities. Students should have their cases labeled with their NAME and SCHOOL. Instrument serial numbers should be on file at home.

    • Students are expected to prepare for their lesson by practicing the assigned material.
    • Students must come to lessons on time and be prepared with their instrument, music folder, and a pencil.
    • Students are responsible for lesson material missed during an absence.
    • The lesson schedule will be distributed by the directors and can also be found in the music hallway and on Canvas.
    • Lessons will be on the same day weekly. The lesson time will rotate to a different period each week. Therefore, students with instrumental music lessons will only miss the same class once in the rotation cycle.
    • Students are responsible for making up material missed in class during lesson time.
    • It is important to see students at the scheduled time, but if there is a conflict such as a test, please see the director for a make-up time. Students should only miss a lesson if they have a test. Students are welcome and encouraged to discuss any problems or concerns with their director.
    • For some ensembles, students may receive a black hardbound, numbered folder. These folders are issued for use during the school year and must be returned at the end of the school year. If a folder is lost or damaged, the replacement cost is $15.00.
    • Seating for all instrumental groups is at the discretion of the director. Seating may require an audition or assessment.

     

    Jazz Band

    • All qualifying 6th through 8th graders are encouraged to audition for the Jazz Band. Even if your son/daughter does not make the group, the audition process is an educational experience. The more time one auditions, the easier auditions become. Interested students are strongly encouraged to attend the Jazz Band Information Meeting on Friday, October 25th at 7 AM in the auditorium.

      Jazz Band instrumentation* is as follows:

      • 5 Saxophones
      • 4 Trombones
      • 4 Trumpets
      • 2 Drummers
      • 1 Piano
      • 1 Bass
      • 1 Guitar

      *Section instrumentation may be smaller/larger than listed, depending on audition quality. The Jazz Band will rehearse on Friday mornings from late November to early May. Auditions will be on November 19th and 20th. The first rehearsal will take place on Friday, November 22nd. Sign-up times will be available from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Students who participate in the Jazz Band must be members "in good standing" (attending all scheduled instrumental/string lessons and all ensemble rehearsals) of the Concert Band, Orchestra, and/or Choir. This is a select group in which students are "one on a part."

      6th Grade Choir

      • The 6th Grade Choir meets Tuesday mornings before school at 6:55 a.m. The 6th Grade Choir is open to all 6th grade students. It is important for students to be on the risers, with their choir folder and pencil, ready to sing by 7:00 a.m. The study hall choir classes are extra help and students must still attend the morning rehearsal in order to be a member of the 6th Grade Choir.

      Concert Choir

      • The Concert Choir rehearsals on Thursday mornings from 6:55 a.m - 7:50 a.m. The Concert Choir is open to all 7th and 8th graders. It is important for students to be in the auditorium on the risers with their choir folder and pencil, ready to sing by 7:00 a.m.

      Select Choir

      All Select Choir members receive a detailed rehearsal schedule from Mr. Leigh, (see Mr. Leigh's Canvas course for the complete schedule). 

      Select Choir meets on Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., as well as Wednesday's, after school, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This select ensemble is determined by audition. Auditions for this group are held in the spring for the following year. Select Choir members must also be a member of Concert Choir or 6th Grade Choir. This group is onlyfor 6th - 8th grade students.

      School Musical

      Audition dates for the school musical will take place at the beginning of December. Students will be responsible to pick-up and learn the audition materials prior to the auditions. Students should take advantage of the musical "kick-off" read through session prior to the auditions. All students are encouraged to participate in the show. Please listen to the school announcements for details about the musical or visit Mr. Leigh's website.

      See Mr. Leigh's detailed rehearsal schedule when you sign up for the musical. Rehearsals will take place every day after school from 3:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m.. (Please make sure your son/daughter brings home the monthly calendar with the musical rehearsals). Saturday rehearsals begin in January 2024.

      The rehearsal schedule will be distributed when a packet of information for the musical as rehearsals begin.

      Spring Music Ajudication Trip

      Student performance ensembles from our school travel to the Bethlehem/ Kutztown Area and Dorney Park to compete with performance groups from other school districts. The groups receive ratings and comments from professional judges. After the adjudication performances, the students spend an afternoon in Dorney Park with an awards ceremony. Students from the ensembles being adjudicated, who wish to attend the spring trip, must be members "in good standing" of their school ensemble, attend their school lessons, rehearsals, concerts as well as adhere to any and all Neshaminy School District/Poquessing Middle School policies regarding field trips.

      BCMEA

      • Students may be selected for the Neshaminy Honors Band or Orchestra. These elite groups are a combination of the best musicians from all three middle schools in the Neshaminy School District. Selection for these groups is truly an honor. The commitment is a combination of evening rehearsals and daytime rehearsals ending with a final concert. More information will follow.

        Vocal students may also be selected for the Neshaminy Honors Choir. The Honors Choir takes place in the fall, while the Honors Band and Orchestra occur simultaneously in the winter. Therefore, exceptional students involved in both vocal and instrumental ensembles at Poquessing may be asked to participate in both the Honors Choir and the Honors Band or Orchestra. More information will follow.

      Honors Band, Orchestra, Choir

      • Students in 7th and 8th grades are eligible and encouraged to audition for this prestigious band, chorus, and orchestra. Students from schools throughout Bucks County compete in an audition process to be selected for these elite groups. If selected, these students participate in the festival held in March 2025. Students interested in auditioning need to see Mr. Cassidy (instrumental/band), Mrs. Lewis (strings), or Mr. Leigh (vocal) for information about the audition requirements. For more information, you may visit the website at www.bcmea.org.