Welcome to the Rapoport Academy Music Department page! My name is Ken McLellan and I am the new Rapoport Academy Music Director. We at RAPS are looking forward to some unique changes to the music department this year. Stay tuned for details.

Rapoport Academy Music Program

Playing a musical instrument and singing teaches the learner about more than just music. More importantly, it teaches self-discipline, accountability, self-expression, teamwork, leadership, and problem solving. This course will teach the student Music Theory, Musicianship, Music History, Music Appreciation, Music Literature and Musical Application.

Goals in our Rapoport Bands and Choirs: The students will:

1. Perform on instruments or sing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.

2. Read and notate music.

3. Listen to, analyze, and describe music.

4. Evaluate music and music performances.

5. Understand relationships between music, the other arts, and disciplines outside the arts.

6. Understand music in relation to history and culture.

7. Demonstrate by action student individual improvement gained by a pursuit of excellence, and contribute that musicianship to the music group of which a student is a member.

Rapoport Academy Music Ensembles

Chorale Fusion

Chorale Fusion is the multi-age district choir at Rapoport Academy. This ensemble has 20-30 members ranging from 2nd grade to 12th grade. Potential members will have an informational meeting sometime in September to discuss rehearsal schedule, performance opportunities and set up auditions.  In years past, Chorale Fusion has recently been awarded the Waco Model of Unity Award from the Community Race Relations Coalition. Chorale Fusion has performed at numerous events, including the Waco Educators' Summit, Waco's Holiday on the Square, and the Texas Charter School Convention in San Antonio.

6th grade Beginning Band

The Rapoport Academy Middle School 6th grade beginning band is open to students with an interest in learing and performaning on band instruments. Because of scheduling, the class size will be limited.  Students learn the fundamentals of playing a instrument in a small ensemble setting as well as individually.  The beginning band performs at the Winter Concert in December and the Spring Concert in May.

High School Choir

The Rapoport Academy High School Choir is an ensemble with students ranging from 9th to 12th grade. High School choir is more advanced and students learn a wide variety of musical styles.

Middle School Band

The Rapoport Academy Middle School Band is an instrumental ensemble of 7th/8th graders. The band is for instrumental students who have a previous background in band or new students who want to learn and perform in band.   This ensemble continues after the beginning band year and allows students to learn and enjoy more complex literature as well as excel on an individual basis.

High School Band

The Rapoport Academy High School Band is an instrumental ensemble with students ranging from 9th to 12th grade. High school band presents more advanced strategies and techniques to learn their instruments and begins to teach the student solo work and small ensemble work. The variety of music in high school band will expand as well.