Pre-Kindergarten
In prekindergarten, children’s love and appreciation for music are fostered through musical games, instruments, stories, and movement activities. Between learning to speak and learning to read, children can learn the language of music by playing instruments, performing, and exploring music of different cultures. Prekindergarten students learn fundamental elements of music such as pitch, dynamics, tempo, and sound. Children begin communicating through actions and connecting sounds with movements and ideas. In prekindergarten, the students experience a large choral setting as they prepare songs and perform them at weekly Mass.
Middle School Choir
The Saint Gabriel’s Choir provides students with the opportunity to improve their vocal abilities while singing in an ensemble of their peers. Whether students have been singing for years, or are trying it for the first time, they will be exposed to a curriculum that emphasizes musicality, develops sight-singing, and encourages ensemble vocalization. The Saint Gabriel’s choir regularly leads worship in weekly masses, and is featured in several large performances including: the Archangel Mass, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, Advent, and Graduation.
Middle School Musical
One of the highlights of the school year is Saint Gabriel’s spring musical. This second-semester elective course is open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students who have auditioned for, and are cast in the show. The majority of rehearsals are held during class time, and the final performances are held near the end of the school year. Students hone their musical theater abilities through acting, singing and dancing in an individual and group setting. Students can also get involved in the technical aspects of the show including building sets, creating costumes and finding props. Prior productions include: “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “High School Musical”, “Shrek the Musical”, and “Into the Woods”. The spring musical is a highlight of the school year for not only the cast members, but also the entire student body.
Middle School SGTV
Saint Gabriel’s Television News (SGTV) is a new elective that made its debut in the 2020-2021 school year. This exciting new elective trains students in multiple aspects of producing, recording, and editing a bi-weekly school news production that highlights student interests and activities. During the course of the elective, each student rotates through three “roles”: Anchor: the “on-air” personality reporting the news behind the camera; Production: managing and running the lighting, sound, cameras and videography of each production; and Editing: taking the raw footage and editing it into the final SGTV episode. This is a small-group elective open to 7th and 8th grade students that have completed a short questionnaire and interview to determine eligibility. SGTV News has quickly become a favorite with both students and staff.