The choir is open to all Grades 7 and 8 students, and rehearsals are scheduled during the school day. Participation in the choir represents a culmination of the vocal work students have done throughout their time at St. Patrick’s. Chamber Singers The Grades 7 and 8 Chamber Singers, a unique leadership opportunity available to select students in Grades 7 and 8, comprises a small group of auditioned singers from the choir who have shown exceptional commitment to singing during their St. Patrick’s careers. In addition to performing in concerts, these students lead singing in Chapels as needed, sing for special school events, and travel to local venues to perform during the school year. 

The Young Singers of St. Patrick’s consists of all students in Grade 5 and Grade 6 on an elective basis. Membership in the choir provides an exciting opportunity for students to develop good vocal techniques (sight-reading, ensemble, and choral literature skills), self-confidence through performance, friendships, and leadership skills.

The handbell program, which begins in Grade 6, features three ensembles. In Grade 6, students can choose to participate in the fall or spring. In Grades 7 and 8, participants can ring year-round. Being a member of handbells provides an opportunity for a small number of students to continue to participate in an instrumental ensemble begun in the earlier grades with the Orff Ensemble. Ringers develop strong rhythm and counting skills as they learn how each individual bell part fits together to create a whole. Rehearsals are normally scheduled before or after school. Performances for these ensembles include all scheduled school concerts. Individual groups also perform for special Chapels for Grandparents & Special Friends Visiting Day, the Christmas Pageant, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter.

The Orff Ensemble, open to students in Grades 4 and 5, develops necessary ensemble skills such as playing independent parts, appropriate mallet technique, and the ability to listen. Orff Schulwerk, as envisioned by composer Carl Orff, is a way to teach and learn music through singing, movement, and playing instruments. Our Orff Ensemble, which has grown out of this process, uses a variety of pitched and unpitched percussion instruments, including body percussion, xylophones, metallophones, glockenspiel, drums, and bass tubes. Performances for this ensemble include special Chapels and all scheduled school concerts.