Grade 8 to 9 FAQs

What are my music and theater course options as a freshman at Darien High School?

A. As freshmen, students have the option of signing up to participate in Concert Band, Concert Choir, Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Music Theory, Music Technology I, Theatrical Storytelling and Design, and Drama I.

Click here for a matrix with all the music course options.

Click here to watch a video about music and theater electives.

What are my art course options as a freshman at Darien High School?

A. As freshmen, students have the option of signing up for several different art courses. Some art courses are part of a "pathway," meaning they are prerequisites to Honor and AP art classes. Some art courses are "single art courses" which help students grow as artists but don't count as prerequisites toward an AP art course. Entry level options in each pathway include: Drawing and Painting - Art Foundations or Drawing; Digital Photo and Design - Digital Photo 1, Graphic Design, Darkroom Photography 1; Ceramics - Ceramics 1.

Click here for a matrix with all the art course options.

Click here to watch a video about art electives.

 If I take Band, Orchestra and Chorus, will I be able to take other electives?

A. Yes, the students currently enrolled in music ensembles are taking electives in all other areas including art, drama, video, business courses, and other AP academic courses.

I would like to take a art, music or drama class, but I have too many electives choices and was told that I need to schedule a study hall. How can we work this out?

A. Not all freshmen need to take a study hall to be successful at DHS.  Talk to your counselor about a study hall waiver and other scheduling options that can free up your schedule to take a arts elective.  If you can't take a music class your freshman year, you can join in a later grade.

Can I play a sport if I am in a Music Ensemble?

A. Yes! Students in all of our music ensembles are also active participants in athletics. We have band, orchestra and chorus members on almost all varsity sports teams. We believe that all of these life experiences are beneficial to our students at Darien HS and will work with students to enable them to continue their participation in our music program at the high school level.

What are my after school commitments when I am in Band, Orchestra or Chorus?

A. The only out of school commitments for Orchestra and Chorus are 2-3 formal evening concerts per year. In addition to the 2-3 formal evening concerts, the band members have the option of performing in the Blue Wave Band for Saturday afternoon home football games. Football game performances are optional and not required. 

If I am an 8th percussionist, what ensemble should I sign up for?

A.  If you are currently an 8th grade percussionist and are planning on continuing in Band at DHS, you should sign up for Percussion Ensemble. As of January 2019, all percussion students in grades 9-12 who are not in Wind Ensemble should sign up for Percussion Ensemble. The Percussion Ensemble will perform on Band Concerts as a separate ensemble and will also perform as the percussion section with the Concert Band. This allows our percussion students to receive more individualized instruction on all of the percussion instruments while still being involved in the DHS Band program. If a percussion student wishes to participate in both Band and Chorus, they will still need to sign up for Concert Band and will split their time between Band and Chorus with the teachers.

How can I participate in the Jazz Ensemble or Pops Strings ensembles?

A.  Participation in all of our smaller ensembles is by audition only. These ensembles are open for all students in grades 9-12 and auditions are announced in the fall. Pops Strings meets on Wednesday afternoons and Jazz Ensemble meets on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. These ensembles require an extra commitment of the students and have increased performance opportunities during the school year.

Can I be in both an instrumental ensemble and a vocal ensemble?

A.  Yes! There are many opportunities to play your instrument and sing at Darien High School. Some of our students work out a schedule with their teachers that allows them to alternate between an instrumental and vocal ensemble. Permission of the instructors is required. Some students even play in band or orchestra and then sing, act and dance in the annual DHS Musical.

Do the Darien High School Music groups travel and perform outside of Darien High School?

A.  Yes, our ensembles have a history and reputation of performing music on a high level and there will be opportunities for students to participate in performances that take place in the community, throughout Connecticut, around the United States and even abroad. Our music students have performed at Carnegie Hall, Boston, Washington DC, Disneyworld and Disneyland/California, Hawaii, Bermuda, and in Italy. All of these travel performance opportunities are presented as voluntary options to students and are not a requirement of course participation. We have found that these travel opportunities enhance the total high school music ensemble experience and create life-long memories for our students.

 If my ninth grade schedule is full, can I take Band, Orchestra or Chorus as a Sophomore?

A.  Yes! However, we have found that music students who do not perform in an ensemble during their freshmen year, rarely reenter the program later in their high school careers. If you are thinking about possibly being in a performing ensemble in high school, our recommendation would be to give it a try in your freshmen year and see how you like it. We have an over 90% student retention rate in our ensembles from year to year, so the chances are, if you give it a try in grade 9, you will continue performing and enjoying music throughout your years in high school creating life long memories.

This is your chance to become a member of our outstanding musical family at Darien High School! We think that we have the best students at Darien High School in our Music ensembles and look forward to having you join us.

For more information or to discuss your individual situation, please contact the Director of Visual Art and Music, Colleen Thompson, at: cthompson@darienps.org or 203-656-7419