About Us

The Naperville Central Choral Department is the proud home to 4 curricular and 6 extracurricular ensembles. Curricular ensembles meet daily as a class period.  In each of the 4 curricular ensembles, there is balanced exploration of vocal technique, musicianship, sight reading,  music theory, and performance. Students will experience individual and ensemble goal setting, skill application, assessment, and reflection. Choir students experience a natural transition into high school as they are able to experience authentic belonging and create social connections in class. Additionally, we hope to inspire life-long music appreciation in addition to providing students with the skills and confidence to continue their musical journeys after their time at NCHS. 

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Our Philosophy of Music Education

People have a unique ability to share the meaning of emotions and feelings.  No other life form can do such a thing.  It is our emotions and feelings, and the need to share them that makes us who we are.  This has given rise to a uniquely human form of transport or way in which to communicate; we call it art.  The art of music affects our emotions in a most direct, powerful, and untranslatable fashion.  Music transcends language; it goes beyond the limit of words.  Music can affect us in ways that nothing else present on earth can.  

Countless non-musical benefits from membership in vocal music exist.  Attention to discipline, stage presence, manners, self-confidence, work ethic, cooperation, sense of community, and responsibility are but a few.  

The mission of the High School Vocal Music Department is life education through music education.

General Goals

1. To develop each student’s aesthetic potential;

2. To develop knowledge, understanding, habits, and attitudes concerning the basic elements of music: rhythm, pitch, texture, form, tone color, dynamics and tempo;

3. To promote musical literacy by developing the skills necessary for musical performance;

4. To promote understanding of the value of choral music as an art;

5. To satisfy each student’s need for self expression;

6. The develop and foster the desire and the potential to extend and continue the student’s music experiences in his or her social and cultural life, as well as in high school;

7. To refine the student’s discriminative abilities; and

8. To develop independence and initiative in areas such as solo and small ensemble performance.  

National Learning Standards for Music Education:

1. Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music;

2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music;

3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments;

4. Composing and arranging music with specified guidelines;

5. Reading and notating music;

6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music;

7. Evaluating music and music performances;

8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts; and

9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture.