Student Life

Instrumental

Elementary Musical Arts

The Elementary campus at Atlantic Shores offers music classes weekly to all students in K3-6th grade, preparing them for a potential spot in the audition-only Seahawk Elementary Honor Choir.

Beginning in the 5th grade, all students play in the Seahawk Elementary Band. Our 4th graders begin to learn rhythm through the recorder, cultivating a relationship and love for music that is deepened during the 5th grade Band assignments.

Which instruments are offered?

Woodwinds: Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax, and Tenor Sax
Brass: Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, and Euphonium (Baritone Horn)
Percussion: Drum Kit (consisting of snare drum, bells, sticks, and hardware)

Band is not required for all 6th grade students; however, 6th graders can elect band as one of the "Specialty" classes they choose for the year. 6th grade Band students typically choose to continue playing the instrument they selected in the 5th grade.

Secondary Musical Arts

The Secondary Campus is home to three bands based on grade level - this includes Symphonic Band, Middle School Band and the highly talented Jazz Ensemble!

List of 3 items.

High School Symphonic Band (9th - 12th):

The High School Symphonic Band is the most advanced instrumental ensemble at Atlantic Shores. The band consists of High School students, with the occasional exception of an advanced 8th grader. Most students in this band have at least four years experience on their instrument. The accepted instruments in the High School Symphonic Band are the usual concert band instruments: Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion. The students perform during the school year, most commonly at the Christmas Concert and the Spring Concert.

The vision of the High School Symphonic Band is to educate and inspire young musicians in the practices of recital performance, concert performance, sight-reading, and several other musical concepts. The students meet Monday through Thursday at 7:30 am.
Jazz Ensemble:

The ASCS Jazz Ensemble has been a fixture of the band program for six years. The Jazz Ensemble consists of a full jazz instrumentation: Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, Trumpet, Trombone, and Rhythm Section. Students perform throughout the school year during the Christmas Concert, Spring Concert, and the Auction. The band typically performs for community organizations and events during the Christmas season. The ASCS Jazz Band is mostly comprised of high school students, with the occasional exception of an 8th grader.

The vision of the Jazz Ensemble is to educate and inspire young musicians to explore various musical forms. Through rhythmic syncopation and diverse meters, the Jazz students escape from the more simple structure of the typical concert band repertoire. The Jazz Ensemble meets Fridays at 7:30 am.

The ASCS Bands perform at the annual Christmas and Spring concerts, district related events (i.e. competitions, festivals, etc), as well as events in the greater Virginia area.
Middle School Concert Band (7th & 8th grade)

The ASCS Concert Band is a group that has at least two years experience on their instrument. The accepted instruments in the MS Concert Band are the usual concert band instruments: Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion. The students perform during the school year, most commonly at the Christmas Concert and the Spring Concert. Students from the MS Concert Band represent our school at the District Band level every year.

The vision of the ASCS Concert Band is to educate and inspire young musicians, through instruction in the standard traditions and practices of a reputable performing ensemble. Student musicians at this level are well acquainted with several major scales, chromatic scales, and other musical concepts by the end of their 7th and 8th grade years. Students meet every day, during 1st bell.