Music

Celebrate and explore

WRA's robust music program offers full-year courses in vocal performance, instrumental performance and music theory. Students also take individual tutorials with adjunct music faculty, who are practitioners from the Cleveland Orchestra and Akron Symphony. In recent years, WRA musicians have traveled to Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria to showcase their work.

Music Performance Programs

Symphonic Winds (Band) encompasses students that play brass, woodwind and percussion. This performing ensemble focuses on building correct playing technique and comprehension of musical notation and style with an emphasis on performance. The band studies standard concert band repertoire from composers as Clare Grundman, James Curnow, and Robert W. Smith. Band members will also have the opportunity to participate in woodwind choir, brass choir, and percussion ensemble.

The Academy Choir is a traditional mixed choir (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) that performs music from a variety of styles and time periods in both large and small group settings. While emphasis is placed on developing vocal skills and independent music reading, the primary focus of the group is performance.

The Academy String Orchestra brings together students who play violin, viola, cello and bass. The string orchestra focuses on building correct playing technique and and comprehension of musical notation and style with an emphasis on performance. The ensemble studies string orchestra masterworks and standard repertoire by J.S. Bach, Mozart, and Haydn. Orchestra students will also have the opportunity to perform in chamber music settings.

Music Courses

CL MUSIC THEORY

This intensive course is intended to prepare students for a first year of college music theory study; to solidify each student's fundamental musical understanding in musical notation, rhythm and meter, scales, chords, melody, texture, sight singing and score analysis.

STUDIO MUSIC
Open to serious musicians looking to develop their skills and explore performance in a sophisticated way. Students will work on repertoire illustrative of developing excellence in their particular instrument/voice.

Supplemental Music Programs

PIONEER PEP BAND

Students participating in the Symphonic Winds also serve at the Pioneer Pep Band. The band performs at sporting events in the fall and winter sports seasons as well as other special events around campus.

ELECTRIC STRING ORCHESTRA

This ensemble combines students from the Academy String Orchestra with elements of a modern rock orchestra. This ensemble will perform contemporary rock music with a orchestra flair.

THE RESERVE JAZZ PROJECT

The Jazz Project performs jazz standards as well as contemporary jazz and pop. Students have to opportunity to work together to create new music through improvisation. The Jazz Project meets in the Jazz Lab located in the basement of Hayden Hall.

WINTER WINDS

This collaborative ensemble features students from band, orchestra and choir. This ensemble is a unique form of marching music activity. This activity combines Music, Movement / Dance and Theater to tell a story. This all takes place in a gym. This ensemble will travel and participate in the Ohio Indoor Performance Association and Winterguard International competitive

AFTERNOON MUSIC

Upon approval, students may participate in afternoon music to replace a sport for one season. Afternoon music offers short courses in basic music theory, rhythm workshops, small ensembles, and individual practice.

Private Lessons

Any student can take private lessons for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet. horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, percussion, violin, viola, cello, bass, and Voice. Lessons are also available for piano and guitar. Lessons are offered all school year and are credited monthly to the students bookstore account.

Yearly Performances

Fall (September)
Parents Weekend Arts Showcase

Holiday (December)
Vespers (Vocal)
Holiday Pops (Band/Orchestra)

Winter (February/March)
Winter Music Concert

Spring (April/May)
Spring Music Concert

Casual Performances

  • Celebrate Reserve - Prep Band/Electric Orchestra
  • Grandparents Day - Jazz Band

Facilities

Hayden Hall
Built Circa 1878

  • Three floors of music rehearsal space
    • Band Room
    • Orchestra Room
    • Choir Room
    • Recital Room
    • Music Offices and Extensive Literature Library
  • Each rehearsal room is equipped with a state of sound system, smart board and recording capabilities
  • Practice Rooms
    • each equipped with a piano and metronome/tuner
  • 9 Pianos in the building 4 grand, 5 upright
  • 7 Computers with recording capability
  • Smartmusic Integration - music software used to record students progress and assess students throughout the school year.
  • Smartmusic allows our students to access a vast library of music for solo, small ensemble or large ensembles. Students can play along with the band and listen to their progress in real time.
  • Music Student Lounge