We believe that music is an important part of the educational process. Choirs, classes, lessons, bands, and more ensure that every student at FCS has plenty of musical opportunities. An emphasis on performance through concerts, recitals, and special programs give music students a chance to use their music as a witness to the community. FCS also participates in the annual ISSMA (Indiana State School Music Association) competitions.
All students in K-3 through the 5th grade receive general music instruction based on the research of Dr. Edwin Gordon and Dr. John Feierabend. We offer general music classes once a week in preschool, and twice a week, from K5 - 6th grade. Our students use many instruments and manipulatives in music such as scarves, bean bags, drums, rhythm instruments, xylophones, Boomwhackers®, recorders, and a host of other instruments from cultures around the world. All FCS elementary students participate in at least three performances each year. The goal of our Elementary Music classes is to produce independent, expressive, excellent musicians with a biblical view of music.
Our choirs hold multiple concerts each semester and learn a range of musical styles while singing the truth of God’s Word. We offer several choirs to develop students' vocal talents at all grade levels. Read about the opportunities in each below.
Students participate in bi-weekly general music classes from Kindergarten through fifth grade. Performance opportunities include Grandparents Day, Christmas, and Spring Programs.
Sixth grade choir meets is an elective that meets on maroon days. Performance opportunities include Fall Concert, Christmas Concert, Spring Program, ISSMA Solo and Ensemble, and ISSMA Organizational Festivals.
7th and 8th Grade Choir is an elective that meets on maroon days. The Middle School Choir seeks to develop musical literacy and independent musicianship through various genres. Performance opportunities include Fall, Christmas, and Spring Concerts, ISSMA Solo and Ensemble, and ISSMA Organizational Festival.
Concert Choir is a 9th through 12th grade elective that meets on maroon days. Concert Choir continues to develop musical literacy and independent musicianship through various musical styles. Throughout the course of the year, the choir will perform at Fall, Christmas, and Spring Programs. They also participate in ISSMA Organizational Festival with the opportunity to perform at the ISSMA Solo and Ensemble.
Chorale is a ministry ensemble that meets as an elective on maroon days. Students are selected based upon a musical audition as well as teacher, parent, and pastoral recommendations. Performance and ministry opportunities include a Fall tour, Fall, Christmas, and Spring Programs. Students also participate in ISSMA Solo and Ensemble and Organizational Festival. In addition to concerts and festivals, students minister in chapel, local churches, rescue missions, and retirement communities.
Students have several ways to develop their talents in their instrument of choice, either as part of a band or with individual instruction. Read below about each of our opportunities for young instrumentalists.
Beginning Band is offered as an elective to incoming fifth graders and begins with a summer camp the week before school starts. Students meet in sections of like instruments for 30 minutes twice a week and then combined for 30 minutes on Fridays. Students use the Standard of Excellence Book 1 as a curriculum and focus on instrument assembly and care, embouchure development, fingering and hand position, posture, and concert etiquette. Students must earn three proficiency buttons in order to be eligible for intermediate band. Performance opportunities include Christmas and Spring Programs.
Intermediate Band is offered as an elective to sixth graders and begins with a summer camp the week before school starts. Students meet as an elective on gold days using the Standard of Excellence Book 2 as a supplemental curriculum in. Intermediate Band focuses development on major, harmonic minor, and chromatic scales. Students must pass a proficiency test at the end of the year in order to be eligible for 7/8 grade band. Performance opportunities include Fall, Christmas and Spring Concerts.
Concert Band is a 9-12 elective that meets on gold days. Concert Band seeks to provide advanced opportunities to develop proficiencies, independent musicianship, and general enrichment through the performance of a variety of genres. Performance opportunities include Fall, Christmas, and Spring Programs, ISSMA Organizational and Solo and Ensemble Festivals, Pep Band, Lafayette Christmas Parade, and Purdue Band Day.
For an additional fee, FCS offers in house private instruction for piano, voice, brass, woodwind, percussion, and guitar. FCS staff and adjunct teachers serve over 100 students weekly. Performance opportunities include program concert preludes, solo and ensemble, and recitals.
The chapel worship team is made up of students selected by audition. This group of musicians and singers leads the student body in worship at our weekly chapels and gains valuable stage experience.
