Band
GHCA has an extensive band program for Elementary, Junior High, and High School. Our special sound-optimized band room provides a nice place for students to learn and practice, while a number of churches in within walking distance provide excellent "auditoriums" for our school to host large performances.
Specific band programs we provide include:
- Beginner Band: Comprised of 4th - 6th grade students. Students learn the foundations of the mechanics of their instruments, and they learn the fundamentals of how to play their instruments. The curriculum used is Essential Elements by Hal Leonard.
- Intermediate Band: Comprised of 7th - 12th grade students. Students learn intermediate and advanced techniques in instrumental mechanics, and learn to play level 2+ to 4 concert band music. Curriculum used is an assortment of selected music and tone drills.
- Pep Band: Comprised of 7th - 12th grade students. The pep band plays for basketball games. We made our first appearance at the Bangor Auditorium on February 2010 to play for the GHCA boys basketball team.
- Sectional Lessons: Each band student receives at least one 15 to 20 minute private lesson each week to help facilitate better learning of their instrument, or work out challenging sections of music.
- General Music Classes: Comprises of 4th - 6th grades. The students learn basic music theory, music history, music through movement, and how to play the recorder. Curriculum used is Music K-8 music by Plank Road Publishing.
- Orchestra/Strings: Students learn how to play the violin, viola, and cello. Advanced skills for those who excel in their instrument is taught in addition to regular class time. Curriculum used is The Suzuki Method and Essential Elements by Hal Leonard.
Our students not only perform in school-sponsored events, but many are part of their church worship team, youth group band, and some even participate in our community band!
Choir
Our choir program is also impressive, with singing opportunties for all grade levels. Practices typically occur in the classroom in the lower grades and in the band room in upper grades. As with our band program, we are blessed to have a number of churches close by who allow us to use their facilities to host our concerts. We have multiple concerts throughout the school year, and our choirs perform community services as well!
Specific choir programs we provide include:
- PreK-K Choir: Under the superb direction of Mrs. Sarah Graham, students enjoy singing classic Sunday School songs and learning new ones to sing during concerts.
- Praise Choir: Mrs. Jan Neureuther combines traditional hymns and contemporary praise and worship songs to sing monthly at Gardiner Nursing Home and Madigan Estates Nursing Home. Students in grades 1-3 enjoy singing to very upbeat accompaniment CDs and using motions to enhance their ministry to the elderly.
- Heavenly Harmony: Students in grades 4-6 learn how to be split into vocal parts while under the amazing direction of Mrs. Jane Zimmerman. This group of children also ministers to the elderly by singing at community nursing homes once a month. They are accompanied by Mrs. Meghan Foster, our piano teacher.
- JH and High School Choir: Information pending. Please contact Music Director Stan Harris if you have questions.
Musical Instruments
For students who are not in band but want to learn an instrument, and for those in our band program but want further mastery of a specific instrument, we have number of musical professionals who are available to give private music lessons in piano, guitar, violin, and other string, brass, and woodwind instruments. You don't even have to be a student at the Academy to take part in these private lessons!
If you are interested in private music lessons, contact our main office for more details. We'll also post specific offerings on our homepage from time to time as opportunities arise.
Drama and Fine Arts
Over the years, GHCA has put on a number of productions ranging from various Patch the Pirate plays to our smash hit Annie. Our students also have opportunities throughout the school year to join adults in various productions, including our Christmas concerts and concerts with famous personalities like D.C. Washington and Chiz Rider. These opportunities vary from year to year, but whatever production our school has done, the community support has been tremendous and the experience memorable for all involved!
Other opportunties in the fine arts happen in the classrooms at GHCA. English class has done many a Shakespeare play, and field trips to various fine arts offerings at the University of Maine occur throughout the year. We also have guest performers from various Christian colleges come to speak and perform for our students during special chapel services.
Want to know more?
If you want to know more about our music and fine arts program, feel free to call our office at 532-0736 to set up an appointment with our Music / Fine Arts director. We also invite you to follow us on Facebook, where you'll find our photo albums of various music and fine arts events. We also post upcoming performances and concerts sponsored by the Academy on our Facebook page, our GHCA website homepage, and our event calendar.