Overview:

Murphy Jr. High School was opened in 2012 as the newest Junior High school in Community Unit School District 308. Since then, the Murphy music staff has worked to create an environment for students to excel in music.  With our 4 performing instrumental music ensembles, we strive to develop students into citizens who have a true awareness and understanding of music as an art form.  Students experience music through performance, listening exercises, exploring connections in other disciplines, and more. It is our hope that students leave our program with an appreciation of music and the arts that lasts a lifetime. 

Mission:

It is the belief of the Murphy Jr. High Music Department that music and the fine arts have an important place in every person’s life.  It is our goal to create opportunities for every student to experience, learn, and understand music regardless of their ability level, age or background. Not only do we strive to develop a student’s passion and technique in music, but we also teach them many important lessons in responsibility, perseverance and empathy.  It is our hope that skills learned in music will not only provide a positive learning experience, but also the start to a life-long appreciation and understanding of the arts.

Goals:

• Develop strong musicianship and cultivate aesthetic awareness in the classroom through the preparation and performance of quality musical literature.

• Provide curricular and extra-curricular opportunities for all music students that enhance their musical experience.

• Facilitate opportunities for students seeking musical self-enrichment.

• Empower students to create their own music through composition, arranging, and improvisation.

• Create community on all levels: within our classrooms, our department, our school buildings, and our local population; as well as within the national and global community.

• Enrich students’ appreciation of the arts by attending fine cultural events.

• Create the best possible learning environment for students to pursue an education in the musical arts.

• Inspire students to become life-long learners and intelligent consumers of music.

• Students will acquire many skills that will carry into their everyday lives. Some of these ideas include maintaining self-discipline to fulfill individual responsibilities, working in a social situation with other students of varying academic, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, respecting equipment and facilities that belong to others, and developing persistence, perseverance, and punctuality.  

To view the Murphy Jr. High School Band Handbook, please see below.

This document contains information about:

• Mission Statement and Department Goals

• Rules and Guidelines

• Classroom and Practice Room Procedures

• Equipment and Facility Guidelines

• Locker Information

• Supply and Music Information

• Grading Policies

• Communication 

• Concert Attire

• School Owned Instrument Information

• Private Lesson Policies

***See below for document***