Concert Choir

The Concert Choir performs in two concerts each year and also provides the music for school liturgies throughout the year. The Concert Choir performs various styles of music ranging from classical to contemporary choral arrangements. The OLSH Concert Choir annually performs Christmas carols at the Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Courthouse. The Concert Choir also encourages student accompanists to play for performances.

Concert Band

Instrumentalists can expand on their musical talents with the OLSH Concert Band. Playing a diverse repertoire of classic and modern pieces, students are challenged to grow in their individual skills and learn to play as a large ensemble. The Concert Band performs two concerts each year. Availability of this class is dependent on the number of students enrolled in it.

Guitar

Guitar is an elective course designed for students with no previous experience. Areas of concentration include correct posture/hand position, understanding and identifying the parts of the guitar, proper tuning, playing basic chords and single notes in first position, and learning the proper beginning strumming/picking styles. Students learn enough to play for enjoyment and to develop an interest in music. Guitar class sizes are kept small to allow for one-on-one instruction.

Piano Lab

Two different sections of Piano Lab are offered, for students with and without prior playing experience. These classes are also kept small so that the instructor may give students the individual attention that they need to succeed at learning the instrument.

Dance

OLSH Theatre choreographer, Heather Taylor, offers a dance elective designed with a focus on basic fundamentals of various styles of dance, as well as developing muscle strength and stability, proper body alignment, and physical stamina. Students study basic ballet, jazz, and tap techniques to develop musicality, spatial awareness, and aesthetics of movement. 

PMEA Participation

Music students are encouraged to audition for and participate in Pennsylvania Music Educator Association (PMEA) honors bands and choruses. Many students have represented OLSH in PMEA vocal and instrumental ensembles at the junior high and high school levels in the past several years.