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The Instrumental Music Department offers a hands-on program for students interested in developing their skills playing a musical instrument. Students participate in ensemble rehearsals, small-group and solo performance activities as well as instruction in music fundamentals like theory and history. We currently offer instruction on Band/Orchestra instruments (these include: flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone/euphonium, tuba, concert percussion instruments (snare drum, mallet percussion & accessory percussion), violin, viola, cello, and string bass). Other instruments include guitar, bass guitar, and piano/keyboard.
Our Instrumental Music program is primarily ensemble-focused, meaning students spend a significant amount of class time rehearsing or working as a group. Within this structure, our teachers provide individual instruction when class practice time is given.
Each student should provide their own instrument for class rehearsals and at-home practice. If your child does not have an instrument, the AACMS Play It Forward instrumental donation and rental program may be able to help. Please be sure to ask about the program when submitting your child’s application to AACMS. (Note: Students who play piano, string bass or percussion do not need to transport their instrument to school but must have a suitable instrument at home for daily practice.
Ensemble performance is a key part of the program, and students are expected to participate in all assigned concerts and performance events.
Our Instrumental Music program is primarily ensemble-focused, meaning students spend a significant amount of class time rehearsing or working as a group. Within this structure, our teachers provide individual instruction when class practice time is given.
Each student should provide their own instrument for class rehearsals and at-home practice. If your child does not have an instrument, the AACMS Play It Forward instrumental donation and rental program may be able to help. Please be sure to ask about the program when submitting your child’s application to AACMS. (Note: Students who play piano, string bass or percussion do not need to transport their instrument to school but must have a suitable instrument at home for daily practice.
Ensemble performance is a key part of the program, and students are expected to participate in all assigned concerts and performance events.
Curriculum
Our Instrumental Music techniques classes are divided into three sections: Ensemble, Guitar, and Keyboard Studies.
Students divide into these smaller groups for instruction on their instruments but combine into one class for all other components of the program.
Fifth Grade
In addition to a 45 minute general music class, all fifth grade students participate in their choice of an Instrumental Music or Vocal Music Workshop. This class meets for 45 minutes once each six-day cycle. These are designed for fifth grade students who wish to pursue instruction on an instrument during the school year. AACMS currently offers the following instrumental workshops to our fifth graders:
Band/Orchestra Workshop: Open to any student with or without band/orchestra instruments. Students should provide their own instrument, however can borrow from the school if needed
Guitar Workshop: Open to students with or without guitar experience. They should have a guitar to practice on at home.
Piano/Keyboard Workshop: Open to students with or without experience playing piano. Instruments are provided at school, but students should have a piano or keyboard at home for regular practice.
Sixth Grade
Primary Instrumental Music is designed for students who already have some experience playing a musical instrument and a strong desire to learn and develop new skills on their instrument. Sixth and seventh grade primary students participate in ensemble rehearsals to prepare to perform outside of the school, practice individual techniques for their individual instruments, learn music fundamentals and participate in a musicianship class where they learn a variety of music theory concepts. Students in Primary Instrumental Music have class four days out of the six-day cycle.
Secondary Instrumental Music is designed for students with or without experience playing an instrument, who want to further their instrumental instruction while focusing on one of the other artistic disciplines. Sixth grade secondary students participate in a musicianship class where they learn basic fundamentals of music as well as more generalized music concepts. In their ensemble period, they spend time learning the fundamentals of their chosen instrument through individual practice time and feedback from teachers. Students in Secondary Instrumental Music have class two days out of the six-day cycle.
Seventh Grade
Primary Instrumental Music is designed for students who already have some experience playing a musical instrument and a strong desire to learn and develop new skills on their instrument. Seventh grade primary students participate in ensemble rehearsals to prepare to perform outside of the school, practice individual techniques for their individual instruments, learn music fundamentals and participate in a musicianship class where they learn a variety of music theory concepts. 7th Grade Instrumental students have class every day.
Eighth Grade
Eighth grade Instrumental Music is split into three segments—Audition Preparation, Music Theory and Ensemble Performance. In Audition Preparation, students spend the first half of the school year developing the skills necessary to independently prepare for an instrumental audition. The second half of the years transitions to learning more about music careers and music technology topics. The Music Theory course reinforces basic music concepts like reading music notation and applying these skills to more advanced music theory concepts. Ensemble Performance continues to allow students to learn to play in an ensemble setting and with peers.
Students divide into these smaller groups for instruction on their instruments but combine into one class for all other components of the program.
Fifth Grade
In addition to a 45 minute general music class, all fifth grade students participate in their choice of an Instrumental Music or Vocal Music Workshop. This class meets for 45 minutes once each six-day cycle. These are designed for fifth grade students who wish to pursue instruction on an instrument during the school year. AACMS currently offers the following instrumental workshops to our fifth graders:
Band/Orchestra Workshop: Open to any student with or without band/orchestra instruments. Students should provide their own instrument, however can borrow from the school if needed
Guitar Workshop: Open to students with or without guitar experience. They should have a guitar to practice on at home.
Piano/Keyboard Workshop: Open to students with or without experience playing piano. Instruments are provided at school, but students should have a piano or keyboard at home for regular practice.
Sixth Grade
Primary Instrumental Music is designed for students who already have some experience playing a musical instrument and a strong desire to learn and develop new skills on their instrument. Sixth and seventh grade primary students participate in ensemble rehearsals to prepare to perform outside of the school, practice individual techniques for their individual instruments, learn music fundamentals and participate in a musicianship class where they learn a variety of music theory concepts. Students in Primary Instrumental Music have class four days out of the six-day cycle.
Secondary Instrumental Music is designed for students with or without experience playing an instrument, who want to further their instrumental instruction while focusing on one of the other artistic disciplines. Sixth grade secondary students participate in a musicianship class where they learn basic fundamentals of music as well as more generalized music concepts. In their ensemble period, they spend time learning the fundamentals of their chosen instrument through individual practice time and feedback from teachers. Students in Secondary Instrumental Music have class two days out of the six-day cycle.
Seventh Grade
Primary Instrumental Music is designed for students who already have some experience playing a musical instrument and a strong desire to learn and develop new skills on their instrument. Seventh grade primary students participate in ensemble rehearsals to prepare to perform outside of the school, practice individual techniques for their individual instruments, learn music fundamentals and participate in a musicianship class where they learn a variety of music theory concepts. 7th Grade Instrumental students have class every day.
Eighth Grade
Eighth grade Instrumental Music is split into three segments—Audition Preparation, Music Theory and Ensemble Performance. In Audition Preparation, students spend the first half of the school year developing the skills necessary to independently prepare for an instrumental audition. The second half of the years transitions to learning more about music careers and music technology topics. The Music Theory course reinforces basic music concepts like reading music notation and applying these skills to more advanced music theory concepts. Ensemble Performance continues to allow students to learn to play in an ensemble setting and with peers.
2026-27 Instrumental Supply Lists
Please click on the list below to view all supplies your student will need for their Instrumental Program:
View the Instrumental Department Supply List
View the Instrumental Department Supply List
Performance Opportunities
AACMS Instrumental Music students perform regularly throughout the school year. Performance opportunities include two major concerts (typically scheduled in December and May) as well as various community performance opportunities when they become available. Band/Orchestra as well as Guitar students also travel at the end of the year to compete at a Music in the Parks Festival.
Band/Orchestra Instrumental students also have the opportunity to be selected to participate in a Pennsylvania Music Educator Association (PMEA) district festival each year. Students are nominated by their teacher and then selected by PMEA to participate in a festival concert where students rehearse and perform with students from all over the area.
Visit our AACMS YouTube Channel to view various Instrumental performances throughout the year!
Band/Orchestra Instrumental students also have the opportunity to be selected to participate in a Pennsylvania Music Educator Association (PMEA) district festival each year. Students are nominated by their teacher and then selected by PMEA to participate in a festival concert where students rehearse and perform with students from all over the area.
Visit our AACMS YouTube Channel to view various Instrumental performances throughout the year!
Instrumental Faculty