About Elementary Performing Arts
Choir
The choir program at Calvary Murrieta provides students with the opportunity to learn proper vocal technique and listening skills as they raise their voices in praise to our King! We strive to make our program accessible to anyone, from novices to more experienced singers, and hold firm to the belief that God honors those who work diligently and dedicate themselves fully to developing their gifts as a musician. Throughout the school year, students in the choir program will not only perform in multiple concert settings at the school, but at various community events and fun destinations as well (i.e. local Christmas caroling, Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, etc.). Students will also have the opportunity to participate in one-two choir festivals during the Spring semester (including one hosted by CMCS) in which they will be adjudicated on their performance by esteemed judges. Opportunities to participate in district and state Solo & Ensemble festivals will also be provided to choir students.
Elementary Choir is a beginning level, after-school choral group for 4th and 5th graders exploring and studying music from various genres such as spiritual, sacred, pop, and musical theater. No audition is required to be a part of this group. Beginning sight-reading skills are taught as well as basic concert decorum and etiquette.
Middle School Chorus is an intermediate level choral group for 6th-8th graders exploring and studying music from various genres such as spiritual, sacred, pop, and musical theater. No audition is required to be a part of this group. Beginning to intermediate sight-reading skills are taught as well as basic concert decorum and etiquette.
Band
The band program at Calvary Murrieta has a long tradition of excellence and accomplishment both in the school and abroad. We strive to make our program accessible to anyone, from novices to more experienced players, and hold firm to the belief that God honors those who work diligently and dedicate themselves fully to developing their gifts as a musician. Throughout the school year, students in the band program will not only perform in multiple concert settings at the school, but at various community events and fun destinations as well (i.e. Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, etc.). Students will also have the opportunity to participate in one-two band festivals during the Spring semester in which they will be adjudicated on their performance by esteemed judges. Opportunities to participate in district and state Solo & Ensemble festivals will also be provided to band students.
Beginning Band is offered to students 5th-8th grade who have never before played a concert band instrument. Music sight-reading and basic instrument technique are taught at an introductory level, encouraging students to master rudimentary skills before diving in to more difficult music. Year-long commitment is required, but students who advance quickly will be given the option to move on to a more advanced group (Cadet Band) half-way through the year.
Cadet Band is Calvary’s advanced band, offered only to 6th-8th graders who have played a concert band instrument for a year or more. Music sight-reading and basic instrument technique are taught at an intermediate level, encouraging students to develop as young musicians. Year-long commitment is required.
The choir program at Calvary Murrieta provides students with the opportunity to learn proper vocal technique and listening skills as they raise their voices in praise to our King! We strive to make our program accessible to anyone, from novices to more experienced singers, and hold firm to the belief that God honors those who work diligently and dedicate themselves fully to developing their gifts as a musician. Throughout the school year, students in the choir program will not only perform in multiple concert settings at the school, but at various community events and fun destinations as well (i.e. local Christmas caroling, Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, etc.). Students will also have the opportunity to participate in one-two choir festivals during the Spring semester (including one hosted by CMCS) in which they will be adjudicated on their performance by esteemed judges. Opportunities to participate in district and state Solo & Ensemble festivals will also be provided to choir students.
Elementary Choir is a beginning level, after-school choral group for 4th and 5th graders exploring and studying music from various genres such as spiritual, sacred, pop, and musical theater. No audition is required to be a part of this group. Beginning sight-reading skills are taught as well as basic concert decorum and etiquette.
Middle School Chorus is an intermediate level choral group for 6th-8th graders exploring and studying music from various genres such as spiritual, sacred, pop, and musical theater. No audition is required to be a part of this group. Beginning to intermediate sight-reading skills are taught as well as basic concert decorum and etiquette.
Band
The band program at Calvary Murrieta has a long tradition of excellence and accomplishment both in the school and abroad. We strive to make our program accessible to anyone, from novices to more experienced players, and hold firm to the belief that God honors those who work diligently and dedicate themselves fully to developing their gifts as a musician. Throughout the school year, students in the band program will not only perform in multiple concert settings at the school, but at various community events and fun destinations as well (i.e. Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, etc.). Students will also have the opportunity to participate in one-two band festivals during the Spring semester in which they will be adjudicated on their performance by esteemed judges. Opportunities to participate in district and state Solo & Ensemble festivals will also be provided to band students.
Beginning Band is offered to students 5th-8th grade who have never before played a concert band instrument. Music sight-reading and basic instrument technique are taught at an introductory level, encouraging students to master rudimentary skills before diving in to more difficult music. Year-long commitment is required, but students who advance quickly will be given the option to move on to a more advanced group (Cadet Band) half-way through the year.
Cadet Band is Calvary’s advanced band, offered only to 6th-8th graders who have played a concert band instrument for a year or more. Music sight-reading and basic instrument technique are taught at an intermediate level, encouraging students to develop as young musicians. Year-long commitment is required.
Mrs. Dickinson
Mrs. Carmen Dickinson is the new performing arts director at CMCS! She picked up her first instrument in Kindergarten and her second instrument the following year. It was then that she began her classical studies. By the time she was 12 years old, she had learned her third instrument and was fascinated with learning more throughout middle school and high school. Mrs. Dickinson earned her Music degree from West Coast Baptist College with an emphasis on the Viola in 2016. As a child growing up in a family of educators, she knew from a young age that teaching was her passion and decided to combine both her love for music and teaching into a music teaching career. Since graduating, Carmen has been teaching music both privately and at schools while still continuing to learn new instruments and grow as a musician.