Musical Groups

CMS Select Singers

The Cocalico Middle School Select Singers is comprised of outstanding musicians from the 6th and 7th/8th Grade Choruses and rehearses on Monday and Wednesday mornings before school from 7:00 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. This group was formed to give these students an advanced choral experience on a regular basis. They are a dedicated and talented collection of students who will perform complex repertoire from various time periods and of many different styles and languages.

 

Cocalikuimba
 
CMS African Drumming Ensemble Cocalikuimba is Cocalico School District's African Dance & Drumming Ensemble. The name Cocalikuimba comes from a cross between Cocalico and the Swahili word Kuimba (koo-eem-ba), which means to sing. Our program features West African singing, dancing and drumming as would be done traditionally in the villages of Ghana and Guinea. All music and dancing is learned aurally and visually. Our instruments are authentic to the West African culture and most are handmade. The main instruments that are heard are the Djembe, a drum carved from wood with a head made of goat skin; Gonkogwe, a bell which typically leads the ensemble; and various Shakeres, rattles made from dried and hollowed-out gourds wrapped with beads or bean pods.

The performers are 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students at Cocalico Middle School in Denver, PA. The students pride themselves in providing a program that is not only entertaining, but educational as well. They have enjoyed learning about this vibrant culture through its music and dance, and hope to pass on their knowledge throughout the performance. The director of the ensemble is Amanda Narehood, a music teacher at Cocalico Middle School.

Jazz Band Club

Cocalico Middle School Jazz Band is a club designed to allow 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students to rehearse and perform music related to the jazz/pop field. The Jazz Band meets one time per cycle on day 6 during period 9, and performs for concerts, assemblies, holiday dinners, and various community performances (Senior Center, Woman’s Club, etc.) Due to the advanced nature of the music, students must have at least 3 years of experience and lessons on an instrument to be eligible for this club. 

Percussion Ensemble

Active from January through May, the percussion ensemble is open to all instrumentalists, grades 6-8. No percussion experience is necessary. Students do not need to audition for this ensemble, and all levels are welcome to participate! Attendance at one after-school rehearsal per week is required. The percussion ensemble performs at two concerts in the spring.