There are two components in beginning band instruction; students meet in a small group 30-minute lesson each week, and a 45-minute large full-band rehearsal each week. Throughout lessons and band rehearsals, students are expected to perform with a sense of tone, breath support, intonation, rhythm, harmony and articulation.

The bands perform two in-school assemblies and two evening concerts per school year.

Students at North Allegheny can start playing a musical instrument in the elementary schools. The students play their instruments twice a week: once in a small group lesson consisting of approximately 5 students, and once in a large group ensemble. The large group ensemble combines all students at the same level. Students can join the instrumental program at any time in the elementary school. Students should contact the instrumental instructor at their school for more information.

The string program starts in 3rd grade and continues through 12th grade. Students who wish to play a string instrument can try out in 2nd grade in preparation for the following year.

There are over 1,700 students playing a string instrument in the District. We have nine string specialists that service the students in grades 3-12. There are 7 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, intermediate school and high school.

The students in the elementary meet twice a week; once for a half hour small group lesson consisting of 4-6 students and once for a forty five minute rehearsal in a large ensemble. Middle school meets as a class every other day and High School meets every day as a class.

Please take a moment to check out the concert dates, times and places. If you are interested in playing a string instrument please contact the  music teacher at your school.

CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON REGISTERING YOUR CHILD FOR 4TH GRADE BAND

General Music is the study of music performance, history, theory, technology, and appreciation of the arts across various cultures approached by the following means:

• Understanding many types of music through the study of guided listening, and moving to music.
• Understanding and using music notation as a means to perform and compose music.
• Understanding musical structures and forms by analyzing musical examples.
• Creating music by improvising, composing, and arranging music for voices, instruments, computers and electro-acoustical instruments.

General Music develops musical skills and understanding not readily acquired through ordinary school or social experiences. Students who have completed the prescribed sequence of General Music courses should:

• Listen to music with understanding.
• Describe music verbally and/or non-verbally.
• Read music notation.
• Perform music.
• Improvise and/or compose music.

At the Middle Schools, General Music includes:

• African Drumming
• Guitar Playing
• Keyboard Playing
• Music History
• Music Theory
• Composition

The North Allegheny Middle School Band program includes instruction on wind and percussion instruments. Band is a co-curricular performance class that is offered in 6th, 7th and 8th grades with students grouped according to grade level and instrument choice. This class meets every other day and the full ensemble meets during activity period. In the small group setting, students focus on reviewing concepts, skills and information learned in elementary band but at a higher level of proficiency and understanding in keeping with the spiral curriculum. In class, emphasis is placed on proper breath support, embouchure development, tone quality, aural skills, intonation, instrument technique, music reading, listening skills, ensemble playing and teamwork. Within this curriculum, students can expect to perform a varied repertoire of music. Students will also learn appropriate rehearsal and concert etiquette. Students are not auditioned for inclusion in the program. Each group performs in two formal concerts (Winter and Spring) as well as assemblies and other performances throughout the year.

The North Allegheny Middle School Choral program is a natural progression from the elementary choral program. The goal of middle school vocal music is to support and develop the adolescent changing voice by performing literature that is vocally age-appropriate. Students in the middle school choral program will sing a diverse repertoire that teaches them about the development of choral music. The courses include instruction in healthy vocal technique, proper tone production, and comprehensive musicianship. Within each grade level, there is an emphasis on independent musicianship including aural development, reading music, and part-singing depending on the grade and level of ensemble. Chorus students in the middle school meet every other day as a scheduled academic class.

The North Allegheny Middle School Orchestral program consists of students with experience playing a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass). Orchestra students in the middle school meet in sections every other day as a scheduled class. They meet as a full ensemble during activity period. Students focus on refining skills and building upon concepts learned at the elementary level. Emphasis is placed on proper instrument position and technique, and students spend time improving tone, intonation, rhythm skills, aural skills, and ensemble skills. Students can expect to learn literature of varying styles from various time periods throughout the school year. Students will also learn concert and rehearsal etiquette. Students are not auditioned for inclusion in the program. Each group performs in two formal concerts (Winter and Spring) as well as assemblies and other performances throughout the year.

The North Allegheny High School Orchestra is made up of students in grades 9-12 with experience on violin, viola, cello, and string bass. These students meet during the school day and perform several concerts throughout the year. Additionally, all of the orchestra students participate in and perform with the Golden Strolling Strings. 

The orchestra travels and performs on a trip every year and has performed in cities such as Atlanta, Virginia Beach, Myrtle Beach, Washington, D.C., Orlando, and Toronto. The orchestra regularly receives "Superior" ratings. The NASH Chamber Orchestra has performed several times at the PMEA convention, most recently at the 2016 state convention held in Hershey, PA. In 2017, the NASH Chamber Orchestra and NAI Chamber Orchestra were both selected to be demonstration groups at the National ASTA Convention. Students are regularly accepted to participate in Honors Festivals at the local, regional, state and national level.

The Golden Strolling Strings was organized in 1988 by Mrs. Christine Loverti. The popular performing group is treated as a co-curricular activity and consists of all string orchestra students from grades 9-12. These students play music of all styles including: classical, folk, popular, seasonal and dance music. Selection may include the following: "Canon in D" by Pachelbel, "Sleeping Beauty Waltz" by Tchaikovsky, The William Tell Overture" by Gioachino Rossini, and folk medleys from Ireland, Italy, Mexico and America. Much in demand, the Golden Strolling Strings have been invited to perform for national conventions with 1000 people in attendance, church dinners, country club parties, weddings and other school and community functions. In April  of 1997, the Golden Strolling Strings performed for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Conference banquet in Monroeville, Pa. The North Allegheny Golden Strolling Strings continue to receive appreciative responses from the community. 

The NA Orchestra Pages

The North Allegheny High School Bands have a long and fine tradition of musical excellence.  The Bands at North Allegheny have traveled all over the United States, Canada, and Europe.  The North Allegheny High School Band Program is made up of three concert groups in grades 9-10 and three concert groups in grades 11-12.  The program also offers the nearly 300 member "Tiger" Marching Band, three Jazz Ensembles, a Percussion Ensemble, and other chamber groups.  Alumni of the North Allegheny Band Program have gone to on to major in both music education and/or music performance at some of the finest colleges and universities in the country including Michigan State University, Syracuse University, Indiana University, Youngstown State University, Slippery Rock University, The University of Northern Iowa, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Duquesne University, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Belmont University, Mercyhurst College, Vanderbilt University, Penn State University, Appalachian State University, and Ithaca College. Other non-music majors have also continued to play and study their instruments at such fine institutions as Ohio State, Notre Dame, The University of Pittsburgh, Duke University, Kent State University, Case Western University, Penn State University, Slippery Rock University, Cornell University, Clemson University, The University of Delaware, The University of Dayton, Appalachian State University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

The NA High School Band Site

Now under the direction of Sarah Lavelle and Roger Whisler, the Golden Strolling Strings have been invited to perform for conventions, banquets, church dinners, weddings, and other school and community functions. The Golden Strolling Strings continue to receive appreciative responses from the community. It has become a major fundraising activity and supports the students as they travel each year. More importantly, strolling while performing has brought these students to a new level of self-confidence, musical leadership and performance security. It also provides each player with an experience of communicating directly with an audience through music. For more information, email Mrs. Lavelle at slavelle@northallegheny.org or visit NAorchestra.org.