A great deal of musical activity occurs at Delbarton School after the end of the academic school day. Ensembles are active in the afternoons and evenings, encouraging Delbarton students to excel in the classroom, participate in athletics and clubs, and still grow as a musician and contribute to the musical life of the Delbarton community. Our students are often joined by musicians from neighboring high schools, community members, and professional musicians who are also invited to rehearse and perform with our ensembles.
Abbey Orchestra
Ms. Norma Davis – Director
The Abbey Orchestra numbers some seventy players including both Delbarton students and community musicians. The group performs works from all corners of the traditional repertoire at four concerts each year. Recent repertoire includes: Beethoven’s 7th Symphony, Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony, and Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait”. The Abbey Orchestra is open to students in all grades as well as community members by audition. Get Involved!
Rehearsal Schedule:
Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:30 PM in the Fine Arts Center Auditorium
Schola Cantorum
Mr. David Blazier – Director
The premier vocal ensemble at Delbarton School, Schola Cantorum pursues an active
concert schedule throughout the school year performing alone and with choirs from other schools. This men’s choir also provides music for the school liturgies throughout the year. In recent years, Schola Cantorum has toured and performed in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Italy. Open to Delbarton students in all grades.
Get Involved!Rehearsal Schedule:
Tuesdays 2:45 PM – 4:00 PM, and Thursdays 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM in the Fine Arts Center - Room F171
Wind Ensemble
Delbarton’s “Concert Band.” The Wind Ensemble performs music of all types from transcriptions of works by Bach to Broadway medleys to Sousa marches to Percy Grainger songs. The group presents four concerts throughout the year. Open to Students in all grades. Students with limited or no experience on their instruments who wish to join should speak with Mr. Devine regarding placement in the ensemble.
Get Involved!
Rehearsal Schedule:
Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:00 PM in the Fine Arts Center - Instrumental Rehearsal Room
Young Abbey Orchestra
Ms. Samantha Tomblin – Director
The Intermediate Orchestra caters to younger string players who seek to expand their musical experiences. The group gives four concerts each year. Open to students in all grades as well as outside community members.
Get Involved!Rehearsal Schedule:
Thursdays 7 - 8 PM in the Fine Arts Center - Instrumental Rehearsal Room
SMALL ENSEMBLES
All musicians participating in our larger ensembles are encouraged to perform in one or more smaller ensembles as well. These more intimate ensembles are a good place for students to refine their craft and broaden their knowledge of music literature.
Benedictones
Mr. David Blazier – Director
This small a cappella ensemble follows in the collegiate performance tradition with arrangements of popular music, barbershop harmonies, and jazz standards. Open to Delbarton students in all grades by audition.
Get Involved!Rehearsal Schedule: Tuesdays 4:00 - 4:45 PM, and Thursdays 7:00 - 7:45 PM in the Fine Arts Center - Room F171
Brass Ensemble
Mr. Gregory Devine - Director
The Delbarton Brass Ensemble consists of trumpet players, trombonists, tuba players and all other brass instrumentalists. The group performs a repertoire that ranges from the ancient to the modern and gives concerts throughout the year. Open to Delbarton students in all grades.
Get Involved!Rehearsal Schedule: Wednesdays 5:00 - 5:45 PM in the Fine Arts Center - Instrumental Rehearsal Room
Clarinet Ensemble
Mr. Andre Badalamenti – Director
The Delbarton Clarinet Ensemble is well respected for the precision and dynamism of its playing. The clarinet ensemble plays music from the classical period to modern compositions and popular music. Numbering about ten performers, the group gives concerts throughout the year. Open to students in all grades.
Get Involved!Rehearsal Schedule:
Wednesdays 5:45 - 6:30 PM in the Fine Arts Center - Room F171
Gothicappella
Mrs. Carol Horton – Director
Gothicappella is an early music ensemble performing a variety of music from 1200 – 1500 AD. The literature is often a mix of vocal and instrumental pieces. Open to Delbarton students in all grades.
Get Involved!
Rehearsal Schedule:
TBA, Fine Arts Center - Instrumental Rehearsal Room
Jazz Ensemble
Mr. Gregory Devine – Director
The Delbarton Jazz Ensemble is a traditional Big Band of approximately 16 pieces. The group performs the works of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Thad Jones and other great composers of jazz. Open to Delbarton students in all grades by audition.
Get Involved!Rehearsal Schedule:
Tuesdays 5:30 - 7:30 PM in the Fine Arts Center - Instrumental Rehearsal Room
Percussion Ensemble
Ms. Celine Fitzpatrick – Director
The Delbarton Percussion Ensemble numbers approximately 15 musicians who perform on a wide variety of percussion instruments. In addition to students who identify themselves as “percussionists”, the ensemble includes musicians who have experience with other instruments and have transferred their knowledge to include percussion instruments. The group performs several times throughout the year. Open to Delbarton students in all grades.
Get Involved!Rehearsal Schedule:
Mondays 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM in the Fine Arts Center - Room F069
Saxophone Ensemble
Mr. Andre Badalamenti – Director
The saxophone ensemble consistently enthralls audiences with their unique sound and energetic arrangements of contemporary and classic music scored for soprano, alto, tenor, and bari sax. This ensemble performs in four concerts throughout the year. Open to Delbarton students in all grades.
Get Involved!Rehearsal Schedule:
Wednesdays 5:00 – 5:45 PM in the Fine Arts Center - Room F171