Music, Band, Orchestra and Choral Program

Music Program Overview

The South Colonie Central School District Music Education program provides a high-quality music experience to each child in our program. Music faculty and staff are committed to offering expert instructional experiences to enhance and educate our students’ musical education. South Colonie has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation from 2013-2020.


Concert Dates

School concert dates and times are posted on the website Google calendar.


NYS Educational Learning Standards for Music/The Arts

The New York State Education Department has established learning standards for Music denoting the skills and abilities each student should attain at various levels of his or her education – elementary, middle and high school levels. 

Music and The Arts Learning Standards


Instruction

General Music Instruction

South Colonie offers large group instruction of music fundamentals and music awareness and appreciation at the elementary, middle and high school levels. 

More About General Music Instruction

Band Instruction

South Colonie offers large group instrumental music instruction on woodwind, brass and percussion instruments at the middle and high school levels.

More About Band Instruction

Orchestra Instruction

South Colonie offers large group instrumental music instruction on string instruments at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

More About Orchestra Instruction

Choral Instruction

South Colonie offers large group vocal music instruction at the middle and high school levels.

More About Choral Instruction


Parental Encouragement is Critical to Student Success in the Music Program

As a young musician, parental support and encouragement can give your child the confidence and motivation necessary to work hard toward achieving their music goals.

How You Can Help Your Young Musician Succeed


Purchasing an Instrument for My Child: Should I or Shouldn’t I?

The music teachers strongly recommend NOT purchasing an instrument for your child for the first few years of study. As your child is still growing, it may be years before he or she is ready for a full-size instrument. At this point, enrolling your child in a “rent-to-own” policy through a local music store is the best option. When the time comes to purchase an instrument, please:

    • Contact your child’s music teacher in advance. They will offer some tips and advice for purchasing an instrument.
    • Purchase from a music store. Large department stores, wholesale stores and online sites not specializing in musical instruments do not sell quality instruments. Your child’s enthusiasm toward participating in music may be impacted by playing a poor-quality instrument. 

Community Groups

The South Colonie Friends of Music

The South Colonie Friends of Music (SCFOM) is a not-for-profit organization of parents, teachers, and all interested persons whose goal is to support and enhance all areas of the South Colonie music program, and to promote an awareness and appreciation of the musical arts throughout the community. 

Colonie Town Band

Formed more than 40 years ago, the Colonie Town Band is a truly intergenerational group made up of dedicated amateur musicians ranging from teenagers (some from Colonie Central High School) to octogenarians. Sponsored by the Parks & Recreation Department of the Town of Colonie, the band performs more than 20 concerts a year free of charge at community venues including nursing homes, town parks, shopping malls, museums, county fairs, schools, and more. Donations received for performances are used to fund the Frank Mooney Memorial Prize, an award benefiting a Colonie High School graduating senior.

Memorial Concert Band of Colonie

The Memorial Concert Band of Colonie is based in the Town of Colonie, which is located in the Capital District (Albany area) of New York State, The region has a rich tradition of summer community bands dating back more than 100 years but limited community band presence during the remainder of the year. The Memorial Band was founded in the Fall of 1999, through the efforts of trumpet player Robert J. Ullery, to remedy this situation and to provide a performance outlet for accomplished musicians living in the region.  Memorial Concert Band of Colonie rehearses weekly at Coonie Central High School and performs concerts in our auditorium.