Music

Click the image above to watch a short video, Music in Our Schools.

Welcome to the Suffield Public Schools Music Department web page! Click on the tabs below to explore individual ensemble and school information.

SHS Band

Supply List

Click the button below for a supply list for each instrument, complete with links directly to recommended supplies. All wind players should have a tuner with contact microphone, which is linked at the top of the supply list.

SHS Band Supply List

Band Handbook

This document contains all of the important information regarding participation in the SHS Band program, including grading procedures, performance dates, honors credit, and details about what to wear for performances.

SHS Band Handbook

Questions or Concerns? Contact Corey Killian, Band Director.

SHS Chorus

Welcome to the homepage for all things chorus! Here you will find syllabi, information about our concerts, resources for at-home practice, and festival/extra-curricular singing opportunities. Our performance dates and times are listed in the calendar section.

If I cannot fly, let me sing. Stephen Sondheim

Concert Dress

Unless otherwise noted, concert dress will be as follows:

Black Robe (provided)
SHS Stole (provided)
Black shoes

Resources

https://www.musictheory.net -- an excellent resource for all things music, including ear training

https://www.teoria.com -- Practice your sight-singing abilities!

Questions or Concerns? Contact Anthony Ferreira, Director of Vocal Music.

SMS Band

Supply Lists

Need reeds, valve oil, new drum sticks, or other supplies? Click the SMS Band Supply List button below to access our recommended supply list with links to purchase each item! These are the essentials students need to start the year:

Oboes and bassoons need at least three reeds at all times.
Clarinets and saxophones need a box of ten reeds.
Trumpets, french horns, baritones, trombones, and tubas need the lubricants for their respective instrument.
Percussionists will need drumsticks and mallets.

SMS Band Supply Lists

Band Handbook

This document contains all of the important information regarding participation in the SMS Band program, including grading procedures, performance dates, and details about what to wear for performances.

SMS Band Handbook

Student Resources: Practice, Listen, and Learn

Performance and Skill Building

Listen

Learn

Musical Instrument Museum - See over 7,000 cool and unique instruments!
How It's Made - Learn the science behind how your instrument is made!
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Questions or Concerns? Contact Rachel Rubino or Meghan McFadden, Band Directors.

MIS Band

Concerts

Fifth graders will perform in three concerts:

January 11th at 6pm Suffield Middle School ("dress to impress")
February 6th at 6pm Suffield High School (report at 5:45pm in "Suffield blue" attire)
- Three tickets per household (these will be provided to your child prior to the concert day and are free of charge.)
June 6th at 7pm at Suffield Middle School (report at 6:45 - "dress to impress")

Fourth graders will perform in one concert:

June 6th at 6pm at Suffield Middle School (report at 5:45 - "dress to impress")

Instruction

Students receive a weekly private or small group lesson on their instrument.
Fifth grade students also participate in a weekly ensemble rehearsal on Wednesday afternoons.

Rentals

Please be sure to rent an educator-approved instrument from a reputable music company such as Gerry's or Music & Arts. Your child's instrument will be delivered directly to McAlister School with the recommended accessories. All band students are required to purchase the method book as well, Measures of Success book one.

Recommended Instrument Repair Facilities:

The Music Lab, LLC: 860-426-1961

Gerry's Music Shop: call the store directly to coordinate pick up of your repair at 1-800-724-7402 during the school year.

Music & Arts: You can contact Jennifer Martocchio to coordinate pick up of your repair during the school year.

(All three of these companies service our schools weekly and can pick up and drop off repairs, or you are welcome to drive them to their locations yourself. Students who have rental instruments from a music store should have all repairs done through the store from which they are renting and should request a free loaner instrument while the repair is being completed. Please do not bring any instrument to Suffield Music for repair as they do not have an on-site repair shop. If your child is renting from Suffield Music, Music & Arts will handle the repair of the instrument.)

Supplies

If your child plays clarinet or saxophone, please be sure to purchase Rico, Rico Royal, Juno or Vandoren reeds ONLY. Please do not purchase other brands on Amazon, or other websites, as their quality will cause challenges for your student. When in doubt, purchase from musicarts.com or have Gerry's deliver a box.
Reeds can also be purchased from Mrs. Wilson if a student runs out and has not had time to order a new box.
- Clarinet: $1.50 per reed
- Alto Sax: $2.00 per reed
Brass players should have a bottle of valve oil and a tube of slide grease for their instrument stored in their case.

Questions or Concerns? Contact Amy Wilson, Band Director.

Summer Music Camp

Summer Music Camp will be held at Suffield Middle School from July 7th - 18th, 8:30am-12:30pm daily

Click to Register

Beginner Band Track

This track is designed for participants who have never played an instrument before. At camp, all beginners will:

Receive small group instruction from an expert teacher on their instrument.
Participate in an ensemble with others who are starting new instruments.
Receive recreation, snack time (parent provided), and free time throughout the day.
The hours for the beginner program are 8:30-12:00. Beginners who would like to stay until 12:30 will participate in the aftercare recreation program from 12-12:30.

Advanced/Intermediate Band Tracks

This track is designed for participants who have at least one year of experience playing their instrument. They will:

Participate in a large ensemble.
Receive daily instrument-specific instruction and small ensemble coaching from an expert teacher on their instrument.
ALSO OFFERING: Elective sessions such as jazz, ukulele, hand drumming, audio production, and more!

Leadership Opportunities

Participants entering grades eleven or higher are eligible to serve as camp counselors. This is a great opportunity for students who are considering careers in music, education, or childcare. They will:

Participate in the advanced large ensemble.
Mentor participants in the intermediate and beginning ensembles.
Assist camp staff with logistics, camp events, rehearsals, and simple teaching tasks.

Non-Music Activities

Every day, all participants will receive snack time (parent provided), recreation time, and flex time.

Field day and pizza party on the final day of camp.

Performances

All participants will perform in the Camp Concert on Thursday, July 17th at 6:00 pm in the Suffield Middle School Auditorium.

Participants will also have the opportunity to perform in a more casual recital setting during the second week of camp.

Cost of Camp

$200 (beginner student who does not need aftercare, 12:00 pickup)

$225 (beginner student with aftercare, 12:30 pick up)

$225 (one participant - one or more years of experience)

$425 (two participants)

$600 (three participants)

Enrichment

Suffield's location between Hartford and Springfield puts ample opportunities for musical enrichment beyond what is offered in the traditional school setting just a short drive away. We encourage you to check out performances near and far!

Private Lessons and Ensemble Programs

The Hartt School's Community Division, located in West Hartford on the campus of the University of Hartford, is known as one of the premier community music schools in the United States. They provide private instruction, large ensembles, and summer programs to students throughout the greater Hartford area year round in the areas of music, theater, and dance.

The Springfield Community Music School, located in Downtown Springfield, provides private lessons and ensemble programs in the greater Springfield area.

Additionally, there are a number of private teachers in the area. Please contact your child's music teacher for a list of recommended teachers in our area.

Listening

The Hartford Symphony: Performs a wide variety of orchestral music in and around the Hartford Area.

The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts: Home to the Hartford Symphony, and also hosts traveling musicals, theatrical performances, and other musical events.

The Springfield Symphony Orchestra: Performs a wide variety of orchestral music in the Springfield area.

Springfield Symphony Hall: Home to the Springfield Symphony, also hosts traveling musicals, theatrical events, and other musical events.

The Hartt School: Hosts solo, small group, and large ensemble performances by college students and professionals in the areas of music, theater, and dance. Many events are free.

The United States Coast Guard Band: One of the finest concert bands in the world, offers free concerts throughout the year in New London, Connecticut, and in other locations across southern New England.

The Hartford Stage: Hosts theatrical productions in Hartford, Connecticut.