Clubs & Activities

Quiz Bowl - Coached by Linda Simmons
Quiz bowl is a game in which two teams compete head-to-head to answer questions from all areas of knowledge, including history, literature, science, fine arts, current events, popular culture, sports, and more. The defining feature of quiz bowl is the use of a “buzzer system” that lets players interrupt the reading of a question when they know the answer. That element adds a dimension of confidence, anticipation, and rapid recall to a game about knowing facts. Those “tossup” questions are answered individually, but doing so earns one’s team a chance at a three-part “bonus” question. Bonus questions are worth more points and allow collaboration, but are generally more difficult. Organized quiz bowl competitions are available in most states and at grade levels from middle school up.

7th Grade D.C. Trip – Coordinated by Samantha Wyffels
All 7th Graders are invited to travel to Washington, D.C., with Ms. Wyffels through WorldStrides.  The trip lasts 4 days, and we leave the day after the teacher's last work day of the school year (trip dates vary each year depending on the school calendar).  Sites visited include the Holocaust Museum. Smithsonian Museum(s), WWII Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, Mt. Vernon, and many other D.C. attractions!

8th grade UPLIFT Mock Trial – Coached by Catherine Ahlin-Halverson, Public Interest Counsel at Maslon, and by Lisa Lillie

Mock Trial is a club in which students form teams and represent a client in a simulated murder trial. Mock trial students learn all about the law and the court system and each team is coached by real lawyers from the community. The mock trial at the end of the year takes place at the courtrooms at the University of Minnesota Law School, before real judges.

Mock Trial is only open to 8^th grade students, and runs from mid-October through early March. We meet after school on Tuesdays. There is no registration fee. If you have questions, please ask Ms. Lillie or contact Catherine at catherine.ahlin@maslon.com / 612-672-8314.

There are other clubs open to Middle School students run by Community Education.  For further information please contact Kelleen O'Brion at obrion.kelleen@slpschools.org.

Talent Show – Contact Person: Michelle Stark
Held in May each year.

Select Choir – Directed by Mr. Myszkowski

This multi-grade class is for students who have never played a musical instrument before and would like to learn how to play a brass, woodwind, or percussion instrument. Students will have the opportunity to try out the different band instruments and choose one that they would like to study. Students will learn the fundamentals of music as well as the beginning fundamentals of instrument musicianship. Students will develop note reading and rhythm skills. Throughout the year, there will be performance opportunities for the students and a chance for them to show what they have learned. Participation in band requires a commitment to playing in class and outside of the school day.

This class is for students who would like to sing and continue to develop vocal skills. No previous experience is necessary. Choir is an upbeat course where students work together as a team to develop their singing skills. Choir members will work on vocal technique, rehearsal skills and be given a well-rounded background in music fundamentals. Each student will develop independent singing and reading skills to attain a high level of musicianship and confidence. There will be opportunities for performances throughout the year. Participation requires a commitment to performing both in class and outside of the school day.

This class is for students who would like to learn to play a brass, woodwind or percussion instrument. In this course, a variety of musical literature will be studied and students will have multiple performance experiences throughout the year. The fundamentals of instrumental musicianship will be reviewed and emphasized throughout the course. Students will develop their note reading and rhythmic skills while focusing on tone production and instrument technique. Members of this class often will perform with the other bands in their concerts. Practice at home is required in order to be at performance level. Participation requires a commitment to performing both in class and outside of the school day.

This class is for students who would like to learn or continue to play a string instrument. In this course, a variety of orchestral literature will be studied and students will have multiple performance experiences throughout the year. The fundamentals of instrumental musicianship will be reviewed and emphasized throughout the course. Students will develop their note reading and rhythmic skills while focusing on tone production and bowing technique. Assessments will include both formative and summative performance skill assessment. Members of this class often will perform with the other orchestras in their concerts. Participation requires a commitment to performing both in class and outside of the school day.

Guitar Class provides students an opportunity to explore the fundamentals of guitar performance, reading traditional notation, understanding the musical concepts of melody, harmony, rhythm and form and to develop a deeper appreciation for all styles of music and music as art. Students will learn the application of the music alphabet to the entire fret board; learn to read music notation, and memorize basic chord fingerings and chord progressions. World Drumming is designed to introduce students to a fundamental understanding of elements of music and rhythm while exploring ways to create music on ordinary household items, as well as the roles of music in society and culture through performance on African, Latin and Native American percussion instruments.

This choir consists of students who have previous experience singing in a beginning choir. Students will get the chance to improve their vocal skills while emphasizing the basics of proper techniques. Choir is an ensemble based course in which students work together as a team to develop their vocal skills. Choir members will work on proper vocal technique, rehearsal skills and will be given a well-rounded background in music fundamentals. Each student will develop independent singing and reading skills to attain a high level of musicianship and confidence. There will be several opportunities for performances each year. Participation requires a commitment to performing in class and outside of the school day.

This band consists of students who have previous experience playing a brass, woodwind or percussion instrument. In this course, a variety of music literature will be studied and all students will have multiple performance experiences each year. Assessments will include both formative and summative performance skill assessments, quarterly music playing exams and some written assessments. This class is part of the combined band in the spring and members can also be in the specialty ensembles, such as jazz band. Practice at home is required in order to be at performance level. Participation requires a commitment to performing both in class and outside of the school day.

This orchestra consists of students with one or more years of instruction on a string instrument. Students will have the opportunity to improve technique while emphasizing basics. Using a variety of musical literature, the fundamentals of instrumental musicianship will be reviewed and emphasized throughout the course. In seventh grade, students will continue to develop their rhythmic skills while focusing on intonation, tone production and bowing techniques. They will also have an introduction to more advanced techniques, such as shifting and vibrato. Practice at home is required in order to be at performance level. Participation requires a commitment to performing both in class and outside of the school day.

Guitar Class provides students an opportunity to explore the fundamentals of guitar performance, reading traditional notation, understanding the musical concepts of melody, harmony, rhythm and form. Students will learn the application of the music alphabet to the entire fret board, learn to read music notation, and memorize basic chord fingerings and chord progressions. They will learn several strumming and finger techniques for accompanying songs. World Drumming students will be learning basic percussion techniques including proper playing position, music notation, music theory, and performance skills as they learn excerpts and songs through curriculum such as World Music Drumming and a Drum Circle Handbook.

This choir consists of students who have previous experience singing in a beginning, intermediate or advanced choir, and advanced choral students who wish to explore singing in select small ensembles formed within the class. Students will get a chance to sharpen their vocal skills through challenging music and performances. Choir members will work on proper vocal technique and rehearsal skills and will be given a well-rounded background in music fundamentals. Each student will develop independent singing and reading skills to attain a high level of musicianship and confidence. Participation requires a commitment to performing both in class and outside of the school day.

This band consists of students who have previous experience playing a brass, woodwind or percussion instrument. Students will get a chance to sharpen their instrumental skills through challenging music and performances. The Advanced Band may also be selected to represent the St. Louis Park School District at various community events and contests. Assessments will include both formative and summative performance assessments, quarterly music playing exams and some written assessments. This class is part of the combined Festival band in the spring and members can also be in the specialty ensembles, such as jazz band. Practice at home is required in order to be at performance level. Opportunities to perform include festivals, contests, and concerts.

This orchestra is a select ensemble, which features performance at an advanced level with development of all basic skills. This orchestra consists of students with two or more years of instruction on a string instrument. In Orchestra, students will continue developing rhythmic skills while also focusing on and developing more advanced skills like vibrato and shifting. In addition to the large group rehearsal every other day, students may also receive several small-group lessons each quarter. Assessments will include both formative and summative performance skill assessments and some written assessments. Practice at home is required in order to be at performance level. Opportunities to perform include festivals, contests, and concerts, and may include some travel opportunities.

This class provides students an opportunity to explore the fundamentals of guitar performance, reading traditional notation, understanding the musical concepts of melody, harmony, rhythm, and form. Students will learn the application of the music alphabet to the entire fret board; learn to read music notation, and memorize basic chord fingerings and chord progressions. They will learn several strumming and finger techniques for accompanying songs. World Drumming is designed to introduce students to an intermediate understanding of elements of music and rhythm while exploring ways to create music on ordinary household items, as well as the roles of music in society and culture through performance on African, Latin and Native American percussion instruments.

Within a semester, students will explore music, theatre, and dance as well as the visual arts by participating in the production of a pre-written musical. The musical will be learned, rehearsed, and staged during class and result in public performances during the first semester of the year. Creativity will be stressed and developed while students learn basic techniques common to all of the arts. During the alternate semester, students will assist in selecting choral music to be learned, rehearsed, and performed in a musical that they will write, direct, choreograph, costume, and perform. Students will be expected to attend & perform at concerts and shows outside regular school hours.

SLPMS Theater Auditions for the Fall Show - Seedfolks!

Attend 1 Audition time-

After School: Monday, October 10th or Wednesday, October 12th from 4:00-5:25 in the Performing Arts Center.  You MUST have your own transportation home and can leave as soon as you are done auditioning.  People playing Sports are encouraged to audition and then attend sports practice- just let your coach know and we will have you audition near the beginning.

During School: 7th Period (A Day) Thursday, October 13th in the Performing Arts Center.  You should ONLY Sign-up for this audition time if you are unable to attend the after school auditions because you do not have transportation home.

Performance Dates: Jan. 26-28, 2023

Rehearsals: Will depend on the role you are cast in but in general, Mon-Thurs 4-5:20

Tech Week: Sat. Jan. 21st, Mon. Jan. 23-Wed. Jan. 25. It is important that you are able to attend all of these dates.  If you have a conflict please note it on your audition form.

Prep for Auditions: Fill out the Audition Form linked below, ensure you have transportation, be prepared to read and act from a script (you will have time to practice).

Activity Fee: If cast, you are expected to regularly attend rehearsals, work as a team and have fun!  There is an Activity Fee of $120, scholarships are available as we never want finances to be the reason a student can’t participate.

Play Description: When a young Vietnamese girl plants beans in a vacant lot to connect with the memory of her father, the diverse group of locals who take notice find a connection of their own in a spirited effort to re-imagine their run-down neighborhood.  The first year in the life of a community garden unfolds in this "spoken musical," adapted from the award-winning children's novel of the same name, as the voices of characters from farflung backgrounds converge in a rhythmic hymn to community.

Crew application will be available in late November or early December.  See Ms. Zumberge or Ms. Schmerler with questions.

Audition Form- must be logged into schoology