Extracurricular Activities
In addition to the regular course of study at St. Joseph School we are blessed with programs for the children to refine their talents, build strong character, and deepen their spiritual lives. These programs are guided by the school leadership and are supervised during after school hours by our faculty, staff, and parent volunteers.
Every adult who participates in these programs must register with Prevent and Protect St. Louis and complete the required modules and in-person trainings (Protecting Gods Children workshop).
School Band
Our award winning band program, which began in 1986 with 40 students now has well over 150 students in five ensembles.
These groups have competed throughout the Midwest at Music in the Parks festivals since 1998. During this time various ensembles place in the top ranks of their categories and won Best Overall Band many times. More significantly, the band students earned the Music in the Parks top award, the Espirit De Corps!
Since its inception, our band program has had only 1 band director, Larry Johnson (aka Mr. J). Mr. J started the band program in 1986 and has been leading and teaching our band members ever since.
A jazz enthusiast and a top saxophone player in the St. Louis area, Mr. J has been a positive influence on the school and the over 1,500 children that have come through his band program. Mr. J continues to stress the importance of faith, community, and building a child’s character through playing music.
The band program is available to children in Grades 4-8.
The band curriculum is a performance based program that uses online assessments that integrate technology and music to provide children with immediate feedback. The program also includes various concerts, competitions, and a parade.
The band program strives to make available instrumental music to any child interested in participating and focuses on the “Gift” of music from the Holy Spirit.
Band Program
The St. Joseph School Band program is an organization independently funded through band tuition, fundraisers and donations.
Band parents and students are asked to volunteer at the Fall Craft Fair, concerts, and other events for the benefit of the program. The St. Joseph School Band program is made possible by the support of the school Administration, Clergy, Band Students, and Parents.
For more information about our band program we invite you to take a look at our website.
Band Participation Levels
Beginning Band
Children may join band in 4th grade at St. Joseph School.
The 4th graders may play a clarinet, flute, saxophone, trombone or trumpet. Students who participate in band have class weekly during the school day.
The Beginning Band performs a concert for Christmas and in the Spring.
Intermediate Band
Band students who complete their first year of band move up to the Intermediate Band.
The students learn to use Smart Music (an online music assessment program) and perform additional concerts.
The concerts for the year include a performance at Busch Stadium, a Christmas Concert, an Archdiocesan Instrumental Music Festival, a Spring Concert, a Spring Band Competition and perform in a marching band for the school’s annual Spirit Day Parade.
Students attend one class, one recess rehearsal, and one after school rehearsal per week. Students receive a grade for Intermediate Band.
Concert Band
Band students in their third year of the program enter the Concert Band.
The students continue to use Smart Music (the online music assessment program) and perform additional concerts as well.
The concerts for the year include a performance at Busch Stadium, a Christmas Concert, an Archdiocesan Instrumental Music Festival, a Spring Concert, a Spring Band trip and competition as well as perform in a marching band for the school’s annual Spirit Day Parade.
Students attend one class, one recess rehearsal, and one after school rehearsal per week. Concert Band students receive a grade for band as well.
Symphonic Band
Band students in Grades 7 and 8 participate in Symphonic Band.
Students continue to utilize Smart Music and prepare to perform music at the highest level for Junior High.
The concerts include a performance at Busch Stadium, a Christmas Concert, a school Christmas Concert, an Archdiocesan Instrumental Music Festival, a Spring Concert, a Spring school assembly, a Spring Band trip and competition as well as perform in a marching band for the school’s annual Spirit Day Parade.
Students in this ensemble may also audition for the Metro District Eight Honors groups.
Students attend one class, one recess rehearsal, and two after school rehearsals per week. Students also receive a grade for Symphonic Band.
Jazz Ensemble
Band students in Grades 6 – 8 may audition for the Jazz Ensemble.
The Jazz Band concerts include a performance at the St. Joseph Parish Fall Festival, a Christmas Concert, an Archdiocesan Jazz Festival, the St. Charles West Jazz Invitational, the St. Louis Jazz Festival at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Missouri – St. Louis, a Spring Concert, as well as a Spring Band Trip and competition.
Choir
Students in grades 4-8 may audition for a place in the St. Joseph School Liturgical Choir, which provides vocal accompaniment primarily at school Masses.
The Competition Choir also performs two concerts at the school, participates in the Diocesan Music Festival, and takes a special trip to compete at various competitions throughout the Midwest at Music in the Parks festivals.
This is a serious musical endeavor requiring before (Competition Choir) or after school (Liturgical Choir) practice and regular attendance.
Bellarmine Speech League
St. Joseph students in fifth through eighth grades may participate in the Bellarmine Speech League. Practices are held after school. Students participate in meets along with students from Catholic Schools throughout the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
The Bellarmine Speech League was founded in 1945 by Father A. Frances Coomes, a teacher at Saint Louis University High School.
Annually, hundreds of judges and coaches volunteer their time to guide students to become skilled, confident public speakers. The league is intended to help students in grades 5-8 develop and improve their public speaking skills by delivering memorized material of a serious or humorous nature, either individually or in duet.
Students compete in three meets annually, at the end of which are awarded ribbons based on participants’ scores.