MUSIC

PIANO:  Piano is taught by Ms. Karen Warner, our fifth-grade home-room teacher. Ms. Warner has been teaching piano at the school for many years.  Lessons take place in the fifth-grade classroom.  Taught individually or sometimes in pairs for the younger children, the lesson slots are available through much of the week.  Although not required at least initially, families are encouraged to have, purchase or borrow a keyboard so students can practice at home.  At year end, piano students perform in a recital, which is typically held at the Riverside Elks Club (an organization that has been very supportive of the school and its development of arts programs.**) 

DRUMLINE: Drumline was founded and is led by Mr. Joe Varga, himself a product of youth drumline, as well as a parent whose children graduated from OLPH.  What began as a Bucket Brigade has become a fine drumline, with students performing on bass, snares, and quads/quints.  

As students became more advanced, the drumline was able to purchase better instruments.   Practices typically take place once a week after school.  Participating students perform for the activities hosted by the parish and the school, as well as outside venues like city parades, fairs, veterans' groups, etc.  The drumline performs at the recital at the Elks, as well as at the Parish Fiesta.

DRUM LESSONS:  Mr. Joe Varga also offers drum (set) lessons to students who wish to play.  Although not required to be in drumline, if you are a truly motivated drumset student, you may feel the urge to join the drumline, too. 

DRUMLINE DANCERS:  Ms. Francesca La Torre, a professional dance instructor and mom to a current OLPH student, has worked in concert with Mr. Varga's drumline to prepare a group of drumline dancers to perform in some of the routines performed by drumline.  This has proved quite popular, and will be integrated into drumline again this year. 

CHOIR: OLPH offers choir practice on Tuesday afternoons, taught by Mrs. Maria Sintek, who also accompanies on piano.  She is aided by Mrs. Hall, who is the science and eighth grade homeroom teacher.  The school choir sings as a group at the morning Mass on Thursdays, as well as in the school Mass, which takes place at the 9 am Mass on Sunday about once a month.

GUITAR:  Ms. Nancy teaches guitar lessons in a group format one or two times a week in the fifth grade. Each student will need to bring a guitar to the lessons.  Students perform in the year-end recital at the Elks. 

**OUR FRIENDS FROM THE RIVERSIDE ELKS CLUB

Last year, the Riverside Elks Club adopted OLPH for a year.  They procured dictionaries for two our our classrooms, allowed us to use their facilities for our music recitals, etc.  OLPH students also participated in Elks events such as those that acknowledged youth achievements, recognized and aided our veterans and currently-enlisted men and women, and educated the community to the dangers of illegal drug use.  Thank you Elks Club!