Arts

Our Elementary School has a rich and varied music curriculum which provides students musical experiences that include creating, responding, and performing. Using a multitude of instruments, songs, games, and movement, students have the opportunity to explore music and make connections between countries and cultures.

Students in Pre-K to Grade 5 have three lessons per 8-day cycle. They engage in musical experiences to help develop areas in the brain related to language and reasoning, increased coordination, and improved pattern recognition. Through teamwork and collaboration, students learn to work together, be curious, take risks, and build self-confidence. In Early Childhood, the students are introduced to a variety of action songs and rhymes, simple rhythmic patterns, percussion instrument exploration, and movement and dance. From Grade 1 to Grade 5, the key elements of music are explored, and creating, responding, and performing skills are developed.

The AIS Vienna Strings Program is offered in Grades 3-12. It is a vibrant program where students learn to play the violin, viola, cello, or bass.

In Elementary School, students build a foundation for good musicianship with beginning technique, reading music, and creativity with improvisation and composition. All Grade 3 students take Strings Class and learn a beginning instrument, and they have the option to continue in Grade 4 and 5. Elementary players have regular performances in the school community and the opportunity to participate in a festival with the Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS).

In Middle and High School, students progress through intermediate and advanced levels, which culminate in performing standard repertoire for professional orchestras. Included in their learning is a study of music theory, aural skills, and composition. Secondary students also participate in AMIS festivals, and advanced students may audition for international honor orchestras. Middle and High School players perform regularly in the AIS Vienna community, as well as notable performance venues in Vienna.

To support the program, AIS Vienna has approximately 315 string instruments available for student rental, and a team of private teachers offers individual lessons after school for extra tuition.

The AIS Vienna Choirs are available to all interested Middle and High School students. The rehearsals teach beautiful singing techniques, choral harmonies, and performance and presentation of songs. AIS Vienna is active in the Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS), and students travel to sing in venues around Austria and internationally. Recent invitations to sing master works in Carnegie Hall in New York City and The Festival of Choirs in Oman provide world choir opportunities and exposure to multicultural music. Students perform for our school community in quarterly concerts. High School singers learn a large work every other year and are joined by AIS Vienna adults to spread the musical word in our entire community. Kathy Heedles, our Middle and High School Choir teacher, has taught at AIS Vienna since 1986.

The AIS Vienna Band Program is offered in grades 6-12. Students in Grade 6, 7, 8 with no instrumental experience may join the Beginning Band and learn a wind, brass, or percussion instrument, while students with experience may join the Middle School Advanced or High School Concert Bands. All three groups perform concerts for the school community. Advanced students have the opportunity to participate in Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS) sponsored honor band festivals and solo/ensemble contests. The Middle School and High School bands have in the past performed in the Golden Hall of Vienna's Musikverein. The Band program has a team of private teachers who offer individual lessons after school.

This non-performance class gives students the opportunity to learn how to play the guitar, read music, and understand music theory. It is offered to Middle School students as a trimester elective class and to High School students as a year long Fine Arts credit course. Students learn to play duets and trios, accompany songs by strumming chords, and compose melodies (High School students will also add chord accompaniments). Students have the opportunity to learn a skill that they can use the rest of their lives.