James Island Charter High School is a neighborhood charter school located on James Island, South Carolina with an enrollment of 1,600 students. JICHS is the only high school IB Program in CCSD and students get a well-rounded experience. 

 

The JICHS Music Program is flourishing in our new Performing Arts Center that opened in 2015! All areas have grown so much that multiple levels of strings, choir, band and piano classes are now offered. With the support of the JICHS Administration and Board, we have also  expanded the curriculum to offer Music Appreciation, IB Music, Piano 1-4 Honors, Honors Strings,  Honors Chorus, Band, Jazz Band, AP Music Theory and Percussion Ensemble.

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The String Orchestra In addition to updating  quality stringed instruments, purchasing new music and strengthening the entire string feeder pattern on James Island and Johns Island grades  5-12 in a few school years. Students have participated in a multitude of  different activities like Concert Festival All County Chorus, Region Orchestra, Charleston Symphony Orchestra Young People's Concerts, Mark Wood’s “Electrify Your Strings” Program, and been apart of the Charleston Concert Association Intermezzo Club Concert Series, performed in small ensembles, Pep Rallies, Musical Revues, competitions, and even home Basketball games. The range of activities is INCREDIBLE.

 

The JICHS Concert Orchestra is for 9-12 grade students who have participated in strings in middle school or the previous year in high school with a minimum of 3 years of prior experience. Students play level 2-4 and meet for 90 minutes on an A-B schedule during 3rd period. Accolades include:  In 2018-21, our String Orchestra received a straight Superior rating from all three judges at the SC Orchestra Music Performance Assessment. 

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The JICHS Chamber Orchestra is an auditioned Honors ensemble for 9-12 students with advanced performance ability. Students will be enrolled in Strings 1 Honors, 2 Honors, 3 Honors, or 4 Honors. Students in this group enjoy the additional challenge, performing at special functions, playing music graded 4-6 and playing chamber music.

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JICHS Piano Program is the largest non-Magnet Piano Program in the tri-county area with over 150 students and two teachers serving them. Yamaha has even touted it the largest piano program in the Southeastern United States! We offer Piano 1, 2, 3 Honors, and 4 Honors. Piano is the PERFECT elective if students have SOME or NO experience playing the Piano and want to learn more about music. It is ALSO the elective for you if you are taking private lessons or may have quit playing piano and want to pick it back up. If you like to work hard, meet new people and perform in public or private, and want free lessons during school for a credit PIANO IS FOR YOU!!!  

 

The JICHS Piano Program has challenging, individually tailored, dynamic and socially interactive courses designed for students who seek to develop their piano playing skills at all levels. Students will learn: good technique, different types of music, and learn some basic music reading. They will also develop an understanding of the concepts of music and the cultural heritage of the music studied as well as music theory skills. All students are encouraged to perform in one Piano Recital and at one other public performance. Enjoy our brand new State-of-the-Art Performing Arts Center, Keyboard Lab, and Concert Grand Piano!

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