Fine Arts
At NDHS, we believe that the fine and performing arts are important parts of the curriculum. Even if our students don’t go on to become professional artists, musicians, or actors, we’re confident that their exposure to the arts under our care opens their minds to the beauty our world has to offer—something that will stay with them for a lifetime.
Music
Our Music Department encompasses both our instrumental and choral programs.
Band
Letter from the Director:
On behalf of the North Decatur Instrumental Music Program, welcome to the 2023–2024 school year. Pursuing an interest in musical performance is truly a life-changing experience. I can attest to this myself. Students in the North Decatur bands will have the opportunity to work alongside their peers toward a common goal of musical performance and character development. Our musicians, in addition to training to play their instrument in large and small ensemble settings, will also develop an understanding of the musical learning process and what it means to be a comprehensive musician.
Over the course of your student’s progression in the music program, they will have the opportunity to be a part of many different ensembles. The core of the North Decatur music program is in its concert bands. In addition, students will be able to participate in basketball band, jazz band, the Decatur County Marching Band (DCMB), and Decatur County Indoor Percussion (DCIP).
Please email Mr. Ulery if you ever need to reach him.
Philosophy:
North Decatur Music Department believes that participation in music exposes children to a universal language and a fundamental means of expression and performance, that students who participate in musical activities are offered opportunities to develop leadership and countless important life skills, and that a creative and supportive outlet is crucial to student success in their academic and personal lives.
Mission Statement:
North Decatur Music Department’s mission is to serve the North Decatur community, instill character development, responsibility, respect for the learning process, a meticulous drive toward excellence in music and life, and teamwork toward a common objective through comprehensive musical study and performance.
Courses Offered:
We adapted the descriptions for these courses from the Indiana State Approved Course Titles and Descriptions provided by the Indiana Department of Education. All are two-semester courses that meet for the full year, and all require participation in performance opportunities, such as concerts and festivals, both solo and as an ensemble, outside of school hours.
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Fifth-Grade Charger Band
Fifth-grade band, open to all students at North Decatur Elementary School, will give students an opportunity to begin the study of instrumental music. Students will learn basic technique, tone production, and reinforce music skills learned in elementary music classes. Students will meet in instrument families, (woodwind, brass, percussion) as well as in full ensemble.
Sixth-Grade Charger Band
Prerequisite: Participation in prior year's band or discretion of the band director.
Sixth-grade band meets daily for credit and will give students an opportunity to continue the study of instrumental music. Students will learn basic technique, tone production, and reinforce music skills learned in elementary and middle school music classes.
Jr. High Bands (Grades 7–8)
Prerequisite: Participation in prior year's band or discretion of the band director.
Jr. High Band meets daily for credit. The symphonic band builds upon the technique, tone production, and music skills introduced in earlier band classes. Students will perform a variety of musical works of intermediate difficulty. Participation in ISSMA Solo & Ensemble or Junior All-State Band is highly recommended.
High School Symphonic Band (Grades: 9–12)
Prerequisite: Participation in prior year's band or discretion of the band director.
The High School Band, otherwise known as the North Decatur Symphonic Band, meets daily for credit. Students will develop advanced techniques, mature tone production, and advanced ensemble skills through the performance of challenging, historically significant literature from a variety of musical periods and genres. Students also perform once a year with their counterparts from South Decatur and Greensburg in the County Music Festival. We require students in the High School Symphonic Band to attend and play at all home football games. We will require participation in one of the following: ISSMA Solo & Ensemble, audition or participate in All-State/Region Band, or prepare a solo or ensemble piece for the chamber music concert.
AP Music Theory (Grades: 11–12)
AP Music Theory gives students who want to broaden their knowledge of music and students who plan to major/minor in music a chance to earn college credit toward their degree, pending their score on the final AP Exam on May 13, 2021. Music theory is the study of how music is constructed, analyzed, and helps to explain the concrete reasoning as to why music can portray a wide variety of abstract ideas and emotions. We will give students a textbook, as well as supplemental handouts in their study. Periodic tests and in-class assignments, as well as participation, will make up the graded portion of the class. The grading scale follows that of the school district. Under no circumstances are students allowed to take the AP exam early or make up the exam after the designated date.
Extra-Curricular Ensembles:
The following ensembles are of voluntary participation and are not required to be in a band class. All extra-curricular ensembles practice and perform outside of school hours. The addition of a jazz band is in the works for the spring semester but we will determine this at a later date.
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Decatur County Marching Band and Color Guard (Grades: 7–12)
Prerequisite: Participation in prior year’s band or exception by the band director.
The Decatur County Marching Band (DCMB) is a competitive combined marching band open to students in Decatur County and Greensburg Community schools. Students rehearse during the summer to prepare for late-summer CITSA sanctioned competitions around the state of Indiana. Students will develop proper marching and movement techniques, tone production while moving, and advanced ensemble timing and listening skills through the performance of challenging modern repertoire designed for the marching field.
We strongly encourage junior high and high school band members to join the DCMB. The DCMB is co-directed by Mr. Reed Ulery, Mr. Jeff Maupin, and Mr. Jerimiah Boes (Greensburg Community), and Miss Celia Colter (South Decatur). Please see Mr. Ulery for any questions regarding the DCMB.
Decatur County Indoor Percussion Ensemble (Grades: 7–12)
Prerequisite: Participation in prior year’s band or exception by the band director.
The Decatur County Indoor Percussion Ensemble (DCIP) is a competitive marching percussion ensemble open to students in Decatur County and Greensburg Community schools. Students rehearse outside of the school day at Greensburg High School during the late fall to prepare for IPA and WGI sanctioned competitions during the winter around the state of Indiana. Students will develop proper marching technique and work on skills involved in performing specific percussion instruments while marching in an ensemble setting. Students in the front ensemble will develop mallet and auxiliary percussion technique while also developing ensemble skills.
We encourage junior high and high school band members to join the DCIP. The DCIP is co-directed by Mr. Jeff Maupin, Mr. Jerimiah Boes, and Mr. Ulery. Please contact Mr. Ulery with any questions regarding the DCIPE.
North Decatur Charger Basketball Bands (Grades: 7–12)
North Decatur High School takes pride in our role as supporters of our school and representative of the North Decatur community. Students participating in the NDBB will play a crucial role in creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere at all our home varsity basketball games. Students who elect to be a part of this band must attend all home basketball games unless approved in advance by Mr. Ulery.
Paige's Music
Paige’s Music is the official school music provider of Decatur County Bands. Paige’s services include instrument rental, purchase, rent-to-own, as well as getting upgraded instruments when appropriate using their “step-up” program.
Mike Weimer is our school’s Paige’s representative. He visits the school every Wednesday before school. If you have an instrument in need of repair or need to buy accessories such as replacement parts, reeds, sticks/mallets, valve oil, cleaning materials, mutes, mouthpieces, etc. please let Mr. Ulery know no later than the end of school on Tuesday.
Choir
Our choirs, directed by Carrie Stier, showcase the great talent at North Decatur. During choir, students refine their technical singing ability, improve sight reading, and learn appropriate performance etiquette.
Visual Arts
The Visual Arts Department at North Decatur Jr/Sr High School offers a variety of classes for students to specialize in classical media or venture into digital media. Studio classes push for growth both in skills and creativity. Teaching Artistic Behaviors or “TAB” pedagogy is used in all studio classes to some extent, becoming more prominent as the student grows. Allowing for their artistic style and media preferences to emerge while nurturing their creativity.
Our visual arts program is top-notch and takes our budding artist to the next level. The following are examples of the classes we offer for all interests and levels:
- 2D Art
- 3D Art
- Drawing
- Painting
- Jewelry Making
- Visual Communication
- Art History
