Music
The performing arts at Needham High School is a robust program where students can choose between performing ensembles, theater, and semester based classes. In MUSIC students can choose between music ensembles or specialized semester classes.
Music ensembles are for students who enjoy singing or playing their instrument and want to deepen their skills. They are also for students who want to be in an ensemble community and participate in public performances.
The semester based music electives are for students who want to learn more about specialized aspects of music (music production or theory) or want to begin learning one of the instruments offered. Our full year and semester based classes provide students flexibility in pursing their passions while also fulfilling graduation credit requirements.
View the Performing Arts Curriculum Map infographic below for a listing of courses offered.
MUSICAL ENSEMBLES
The music ensembles are full year courses. We offer both audition based groups and those that are open to ALL students with previous experience. Our ensembles participate in multiple school based performances each year. Students also regularly perform for community events and participate in festivals such as MICCA each year.
BAND
Symphonic Band: enrollment in this class is by audition.
Concert Band: open to all wind/brass/percussion students at NHS with previous experience.
Jazz Band: enrollment in this class is by audition. Jazz Band meets after school.
Jazz Lab: open to all students who play a band/orchestra or rhythm section instrument with previous experience. Jazz Lab meets after school.
Modern Music Lab: semester based class open to all students
Faculty Contact:
Spencer Parrish: Symphonic, Concert, and Jazz Band
Alexander Lee-Clark: Jazz Lab and Modern Music Lab
STRINGS
String Orchestra: open to all students who play violin, viola, cello, or bass
Chamber Orchestra: enrollment in this class is by audition
Faculty Contact: Jonathan VanderWoude
CHORUS
Chorus/Bella Voce: open to ALL students.
Chorale: enrollment in this class is by audition.
Faculty Contact: Jonathan VanderWoude
MUSIC CLUBS
There are several music clubs that students can participate in, including Tri-M which is an Honors Society, Music Production Club, and four A Cappella Groups.
A CAPPELLA CLUBS
There are four A Cappella Clubs at Needham High School. The three audition based groups are Counterpoint (all voices), Subway Dwarves (tenor/bass voice), Treble Rebels (treble voice). The non-audition based group is Fermata Nowhere which is open to all treble voice singers.
All groups rehearse on Sunday evenings at Needham High School and students are able to participate in one group. Students perform in three annual events each year: A Cappella Go, Winterfest, and Vocal Support.
MUSIC FACULTY:
Spencer Parrish, Jonathan VanderWoude, Alex Lee-Clark, Hannah White-Rivera (A Cappella Advisor)