Frequently Asked Questions
ExtraCurricular
Ensembles
Join one of our award-winning ensembles to be a
full part of SJAM’s great music community. You’ll
make friends from other classes and other grades,
and perform in concerts and music festivals. And
of course, you’ll have a lot of fun!
Grade 9’s can join lots of groups
 Highlander Chorus
 Jazz Choir (by audition)
 Musical Cast (by audition)
 Grade 9 Band (beginning players)
 Junior Band (experienced players)
 Junior Jazz Band (experienced players)
 Guitar Jam (intermediate level players)
 Guitar Ensemble (intermediate level, with
ability to read music)
In later years, you could also join
 Senior Band
 Senior Jazz Band
 Small Ensembles - Sax Quartet, Percussion
Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, etc.
 Musical Pit Band
We’re not exaggerating when we say this:
SJAM has some of the top high school
music ensembles in Canada.
We have had groups qualify to perform at the
MusicFest Canada National Festival for the past 7
consecutive years. Our Nationals results: 3 Gold
and 7 Silver awards.
I have played the piano/violin/other instrument for
several years. Does that mean that I should go into
the Experienced Instrumental course (AMI 1OI)?
The AMI 1OI course assumes that you already
know how to play a class instrument (refer to the
list with the course description, on reverse). This
background comes from either Grade 7/8
Instrumental Music or from private lessons on the
class instrument.
What options are there for playing piano?
There are many opportunities to play piano in
extra-curricular ensembles. You can be a member
of a jazz band, musical pit band, or small ensemble.
There are many opportunities to accompany choirs.
Can I be a member of an extra-curricular ensemble
if I am not in a Music class?
Music
at Sir John A.
Macdonald S.S.
Yes, you can join an ensemble as long as you have
the necessary skills to perform the pieces. The best
way to develop those skills is to take a Music
course.
It occurred to me by intuition, and music was the
driving force behind that intuition. My discovery was
the result of Musical Perception.
Albert Einstein, on his Theory of Relativity
For more information on the
SJAM Music Program


visit the SJAM website at jam.wrdsb.ca
e-mail Mrs. P. Bender
(Music Department Head) at
pattie_bender@wrdsb.on.ca
Information for
future
Highlanders
Music is about communication, creativity and
cooperation. By studying music in school, students
have the opportunity to build on these skills, enrich
their lives and experience the world from a new
perspective. US President Bill Clinton
Grade 9 Music at SJAM
In your grade 9 Music class, you will
 Sing or play, every day
 Learn to read and write standard music
notation
 Perform music in a variety of styles, from
many different cultures and time periods
 Compose music and create your own songs
 Use music software and apps on computers,
iPads and recording devices
Grade 9 Music Courses
Choose the one that is right for you
AMV IOI Vocal
Enhance your vocal skills, whether you’re a
beginner or an experienced singer.
AMI 1OX Instrumental - Beginning
Learn to play a brass, woodwind or percussion
instrument. Class instruments: flute, clarinet,
oboe, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, French horn,
trombone, baritone, tuba, electric bass, percussion.
AMI 1OI Instrumental - Experienced
Continue studying the brass, woodwind or
percussion instrument (see above list) that you
already know how to play.
Piano, guitar and strings are not available as class
instruments in Instrumental Music courses.
Looking ahead …
SJAM Music Grades 10-12
We offer you
 Courses in each grade
 Specialty courses in grades 11-12 to suit your
musical interests and goals
 Specialist High Skills Major options
Vocal Music
AMV 2OI grade 10, open level
AMV 3MI grade 11, college/university level
AMV 4MI grade 12, college/university level
AMT 4MI Musical Theatre grade 12,
college/university level
Specialist High Skills Major
The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) in Arts
and Culture is a concentrated program that allows
you to study Music in more depth
SHSM offers you
 added course options
 out-of-school learning experiences
 the chance to earn career-related
certifications
 opportunities to explore music-related
careers
At SJAM, you can complete the Arts and Culture
SHSM with a concentration in Music, Visual Art,
or a combination of Music and Art.
Instrumental Music
For full program information, please refer to the
AMI 2OI grade 10, open level
AMI 3MI grade 11, college/university level
AMI 4MI grade 12, college/university level
AMH 4MI Instrumental Jazz grade 12,
college/university level
SJAM Arts and Culture Specialist High Skills
Major brochure (available in print and on-line).
Guitar
AMG 3OI grade 11, open level
for beginning or intermediate guitar players
Music Repertoire
AMR 3OH/3OK grade 11, open level
½ credit courses for grade 11-12 members of Sr.
Band or Highlander Chorus
AMR 3MI/4MI
grades 11-12, college/university
level - full credit courses for SHSM students in Sr.
Band or Highlander Chorus and a second ensemble
83% of adults who earn $150,000+ per year
studied Music in school.
New York Times
Students studying Music score higher on
standardized tests, including university
entrance exams (SAT’s) and IQ tests.
University of California, US College Board