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🎶 Griswold Middle School Music

We encourage all students to get involved in music! Participation in music enhances academic performance, builds social-emotional skills, and offers a creative outlet that supports whole-child development.

🎼 General Music

All students take General Music as part of their Exploratory rotation at Griswold Middle School. Taught by Mrs. Shea and Ms. Richmond, students explore the elements of music, rhythm instruments, chimes, beginner guitar (Grade 6), and more. They also explore music production and technology, as well as careers in music, including music therapy, entrepreneurship, music business, and performance. 

Band, Orchestra, Chorus

Band, String Orchestra, and Chorus are offered to all GMS students in grades 5-8. Students 5-8 may participate in either band and chorus or orchestra and chorus, if they so choose. They may not participate in both band and orchestra, though there is a GMS Jazz Band activity open to band students and select orchestra students (piano, guitar, bass). Students MUST join one of these music electives!

🎺 Band (Grades 5–8)

Led by Ms. Richmond, our Band program is a proud GMS tradition with high student participation across all grades.

  • Students begin Band with their chosen instrument in Grade 5, meeting every other day.

  • All students in grades 5 & 6 receive one small-group lesson per week.

  • In Grades 7–8, students perform at school and community events.

  • Students can also audition for the GMS Jazz Band, which meets after school on Fridays and during Activity Block.

  • New 5th graders interested in joining Band: Fill out the permission form here
    The form includes information on how you can acquire an instrument for your student.
     

🎻 String Orchestra (Grades 5–8)

Our growing String Orchestra program is led by Mrs. Shea and is one of the few string programs in eastern Connecticut.

  • Students begin with their chosen string instrument in Grade 5, attending Orchestra every other day.

  • All students in grades 5 & 6 receive one small-group lesson per week.

  • Orchestras perform at school events and at the district-wide Griswold String Festival in June.

  • Bass students and any other student learning guitar or piano may audition for the GMS Jazz Band, which meets after school on Fridays and during Activity Block.

  • New 5th graders interested in joining Orchestra: Fill out the permission form here
    The form includes information on how you can acquire an instrument for your student.
     

🎤 Chorus (Grades 5–8)

Directed by Mrs. Shea, each grade has its own Choir, with impressive participation school-wide. 

Select Choir is available to students looking to be part of a smaller ensemble with more advanced repertoire.

 

🎓 Planning for GHS?

A strong foundation in middle school music helps prepare students for the nationally recognized music programs at Griswold High School. Learn more about the GHS Music Department here.

📆 Concert Dates

School Concerts will be included on the GMS Calendar and can be found in the 2025–26 Music Calendar (Google Doc).

📬 Contact Our Music Teachers:

 

🎵 Whether you sing, play, or simply love music — there's a place for you at GMS. Many students involved in Band, Orchestra, and Chorus are also involved in programs like the National Junior Honor Society and athletics. At GMS, you really can do it all!