Music
The Storm King School is a member of the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA). The Music Arts curriculum features the fundamentals of music in theory and practice. Melody, harmony, rhythm, and form constitute the building blocks. We study ear training, transcription, composition, orchestration, analysis, melody writing, counterpoint, and more, through individual personalized sessions and group seminars. Students read music, compose their own songs, explore different instruments — all in an effort to better understand each student’s personal means of musical expression. Students’ work is performed on both formal and informal concerts and every effort is made to produce near professional recordings. Students have the opportunity to provide soundtracks and may work with dancers, poets, playwrights and more.
The strength of the Storm King School music department lies in the highly individualized attention that each student receives, while being able to participate in small school ensembles, as well as the highest level large ensembles – both county and state wide. This combination of high level individualized guidance and large honors ensemble experience is the most optimal balance of offerings for any music student.
Meet the Faculty
Classes Offered
Private music lessons for most instruments are offered weekly. Sessions are taught by some of New York City’s most accomplished professional musicians.
(Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Mandolin)
These courses instruct beginners through advanced students in all genres of music. Students enrolled in these courses learn the fundamentals of their instrument, how to read music, introductory and advanced techniques and music theory. Other instrumental lessons may be arranged.
This course is about learning to play the piano with an emphasis on technique, reading, theory and performance. Piano lessons at SKS provide serious preparation for musical goals both short and long term. Whether a student is preparing for higher education or wishes to hone compositional, technical or theoretical skills, a balance of technique, reading and true musical satisfaction is emphasized.
Choral groups, small ensembles, and individual voice lessons can be arranged within the creative arts program. Performances take place during Fall, Winter, and Spring Recitals, Parents Weekend, Winter Solstice Celebration, Holiday Dinners, Commencement, and more.
Students learn to navigate multiple DAW platforms such as Music First, Finale, and ProTools. Students learn to compose, arrange and edit music in specific course offerings in music technology. In addition, various music software applications are implemented in private lessons, music theory classes and live performances.
(Audition required)
Students who play an instrument or sing are welcome to audition for bands or ensembles. The bands/ensembles change to accommodate the students selected.
In our Music Theory and Composition class, students first solidify the basics of music theory as a point of departure to learn advanced concepts and elements of music theory and composition. Within this course, the context of Western music history and composers and a student’s own musical experience and expertise are utilized to comprehend the units of study.
Software programs such as Soundtrap, Focus on Sound, and Musition 6, are used for project-based learning wherein the students create compositions having to do with the units of study to not only demonstrate that they understand the lesson material but to experience a lasting transformative discovery by creating their own music based on the concepts, skill sets, and academic language taught in this course.
Private Lessons
Our curriculum includes private lessons with musicians who are not only gifted teachers, but successful professionals with New York’s world-class symphonies and recording studios. Lessons are offered both in person and virtually, depending on the needs of the student. All current health protocols will be observed, of course.
Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and learn to make beautiful music.
For more information on the private lessons offered at SKS:
Productions
Spring Music Recital Highlights Arts Weekend
As the School moves closer to its 154th commencement, the Storm King School community was treated to another Arts Weekend event showcasing the talent of our music and voice students– the Spring Music Recital. The recital held on Friday, April 29, 2022, featured a series of instrumental and vocal performances from different musical decades and genres. For our graduating seniors, the event was their final music performance on the stage of the Walter Reade Jr. [...]
Q-Term 2021: Which One is Pink?
Q-Term week at The Storm King School is time for faculty and students to explore their passions, step outside the box, and do things they’ve [...]
2020 Arts Weekend Comes to a Close
2019-2020 has been an extraordinary and challenging year for all of our students, including our student-artists. After the School’s move to online learning in March, [...]
