Music
Kearney Public Schools students have a vast array of music education opportunities. All of our schools host annual concerts to display the talents of our students. Music has the transcendent ability to take people with different personalities, backgrounds, cultures, and interests and bind them together into a group with the capacity to create something greater than any single one of them could achieve.
Elementary Music
In our preschool and elementary schools, music is taught two or three times a week. In music class, students sing, dance, compose, read, create, listen, move, and play a wide array of instruments including non-pitched percussion and barred instruments. Fourth and fifth graders learn to play recorders. Each year, students participate in the school music program and have an opportunity to participate in a talent show at the end of the year. KPS offers opportunities for students to be in Sing Around Nebraska and Nebraska All-State Children’s Choir. The orchestra program begins in the 5th-grade as an elective class that meets once a week for 30 minutes and provides an instrumental foundation for students on violin, viola, or cello.
There are before and after school groups at a few schools that students can choose to be a part of. These groups meet weekly. At Meadowlark Elementary, 4th and 5th graders can participate in the Meadowlark Drum Circle. At Northeast Elementary, there is a 4th and 5th grade Bobcat Choir. At Kenwood Elementary, the Kenwood Cougar Chorus includes students from grades 4 and 5.
_____________________________________
Middle School Music
The Silver Hawk and Jaguar band programs each center around two 6th grade concert bands, two 7th grade concert bands, and an 8th grade concert band. Sixth and seventh grade students perform in at least three concerts per year, and the 7th graders are featured in the district's annual Veteran's Day Program that alternates between the two middle schools each year. In addition to the concert bands, seventh and eighth grade students have the opportunity to participate in various supplementary ensembles during 10th period. These ensembles include a jazz/rock group, an in-school honor band, and a Harmony Bridge Club where students play in small groups and travel to local retirement centers and nursing homes to perform once a month. Seventh and 8th grade students are also encouraged to audition for a local honor band hosted at Kearney High School and the Nebraska 8th Grade All-State Band. Sunrise Middle School Band Link: https://sites.google.com/a/kearneycats.com/sunrisebands/home
Middle School Orchestra
Sunrise and Horizon Middle School each have a sixth grade, seventh grade, and eighth-grade orchestra. In addition to the violin, viola, and cello, the double bass is offered beginning in the sixth grade. Students participate in three concerts throughout the year. Sixth-grade students take a field trip to Omaha each year to visit the Omaha Symphony. Eighth-grade students participate in the Strictly Strings Festival in Grand Island and tour the elementary schools towards the end of the year.
Middle School Vocal Music
The goal of the KPS middle-level choral program is to teach our students the skills that make them better musicians--skills that also help them become young men and women who can be positive leaders in their communities and in our world. Skills taught include reading music by following a score, listening and responding to music, creating original music, and performing music twice a year in a choral concert setting.
The 6th and 7th-grade choir students meet every other day on an odd/even schedule. The 8th-grade choir students meet every day. Also, 8th-grade students may audition for Show Choir or Musical Theater classes that meet once a day. There are several opportunities to audition for select groups throughout our state and region for any middle school student that is interested.
_____________________________________
Kearney High School Music
KHS Band
"Enriching Lives Through Music!" That simple phrase sums up what the Kearney High School Band is all about. We strive, in everything that we do, to build a strong "family" atmosphere that emphasizes personal growth and achievement, group excellence, and service to our community. The KHS Band performs more 50 times throughout the year ranging from marching band performances to chamber group performances in retirement homes. We are proud of our students and want the community to hear what they can do. We offer 3 concert bands, 2 jazz bands, pep band, chamber groups, theory courses, music contests, and an award winning marching band. There is a group for every level and interest. The KHS Band has been invited twice to perform at the Nebraska State Bandmasters Convention and has earned numerous awards across our great state. We have also traveled extensively and have performed in Washington D.C., New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, New Orleans, Walt Disney World, Branson, and recently was invited to perform in Germany and the Czech Republic! We believe that music is a universal language and the opportunity to express it should be given to all. Learning a musical instrument has proven time and time again in studies to improve so many areas of a person's life and is something that can be pursued one's whole life. We encourage you to be a part of the music and join or support the KHS band today! Kearney High School Band website: https://kearneybands.org/
KHS Orchestra
The KHS Orchestra is made up of 140 string musicians in grades 9-12. There are 3 different orchestras at Kearney High: The Symphonic Orchestra, which is our large ensemble, the Select Camerata Orchestra, which is the smaller auditioned orchestra, and we are proud to announce the addition of the Concert Orchestra, which is our Freshmen group. The Kearney High Orchestra program plays 4 concerts each year, as well as many community and private performances. This group has had the opportunity to play music and travel throughout the United States, and most recently enjoyed a fun and educational trip/performance to Disney World. The orchestra has a proud tradition of playing success at festivals and contests, as well as playing at our NMEA State Convention. We have seen our program grow tremendously in the past several years, and we look forward to continued growth and an opportunity to share our talents with all who hear us.
Website: www.kpsorchestra.org
OPUS (Orchestra Parent) Facebook page: https://www.facebook.
KPS Orchestra Facebook Page: https://www.
Instagram: @kpsorchestra
KHS Vocal Music
There are six choral assemblies at KHS: KHS Chorale, KHS POPS Choir, Varsity Girls Glee, Sapphire & Gold Singers, Concert Choir, and Mixed Chorus. The choirs have been very successful in state and national competitions. They have a long history of international travel and performing at places such as Chartres Cathedral (France, The Pantheon (Italy), among others. The choirs have had the honor of singing under the direction of world-renowned choral conductors and composers.
Tri-M Music Society
A national organization for middle and high schools through the National Association for Music Education (NAME). Talents are shared through community service projects and students build skills useful for school and beyond.
