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At Northridge, music is at the heart of our community. Students have year-round opportunities to perform for peers and parents, creating meaningful and memorable experiences. Our programs inspire a love for the arts while cultivating confidence, teamwork, and leadership—skills that extend far beyond the stage.
Develops Congnitive Skills
Supports both musical and non-musical cognitive dexterity.
Building a Deep Sense of Beauty
Through growing in the discipline required to create something beautiful, students learn to appreciate this ideal.
Develops Congnitive Skills
Enhances both musical skills and overall cognitive abilities, benefiting students in every aspect of their learning.
Building a Deep Sense of Beauty
By developing the discipline needed to create something truly beautiful, students gain a deeper appreciation for the value of artistic excellence.
High School Band: The Sound of a Professional Outfit
The High School Band is a dynamic, performance-driven ensemble that meets five days a week during the elective period. Open to 9th–12th graders with at least two years of experience on woodwind, brass, or select percussion instruments, the band provides students with the opportunity to refine their skills in a collaborative setting.
Throughout the year, the band showcases a diverse repertoire, performing at the annual Christmas and Spring concerts, major school events, and all home varsity basketball games—bringing energy and tradition to the Northridge community.
Our High School band is of such high caliber that it’s often mistaken for a professional ensemble. Best of all, with most practices held during the school day’s Activity Period, student-athletes can participate in both music and sports.
Our Ensembles
High School Jazz Band
Northridge offers two jazz bands, providing high school students with the opportunity to audition and explore the rich world of jazz.
Meeting twice weekly during band rehearsal, these ensembles refine students' skills through an extensive repertoire while introducing them to the art of jazz improvisation.
Performing at the annual Spring Concert and our signature school fundraiser, Dinner at the Ridge, the jazz bands bring energy, sophistication, and musical excellence to the Northridge community.
Sixth Grade Music
(for-credit requirement)
All sixth graders participate in daily music classes, fostering appreciation and literacy through hands-on learning. Students select a band instrument—flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, baritone horn, or trombone—which they rent or purchase. Those with prior experience in strings or percussion may continue their studies. The curriculum includes fundamental piano skills, note and rhythm reading, and music history, providing a well-rounded foundation that cultivates both technical ability and a lifelong love of music.
Middle School Band
The Middle School Band is an exciting and enriching ensemble that meets five days a week during the elective period, providing 7th and 8th graders with prior experience the opportunity to develop their musical skills in a collaborative setting. Open to woodwind, brass, and percussion players, the band showcases its talent at the annual Christmas and Spring concerts, Grandparents Day, and special performances at nearby schools—building confidence, camaraderie, and a lifelong appreciation for music.
String Ensemble
High School and Middle School String Ensembles meet five days a week during elective periods. They are open to students with two or more years of experience playing a string instrument – violin, cello, viola, or bass.
Students explore works from the classical repertoire, which may be combined with some band instruments depending on the group size. The string ensemble performs at our annual concerts and other events, such as our annual fundraising event, Dinner at the Ridge.
Men's Chorus
About the Music Director Mr. John Riccobono
- B.A., M.A. New England Conservatory of Music
- Year Appointed: 2013
Mr. Riccobono began his career as principal percussionist with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, while at the same time performing as a freelance jazz pianist and vibraphonist. As an educator, Mr. Riccobono served as the director of the Supplemental Program for Educational Skills (SPES), a program providing academic enrichment and character education for boys living in Boston’s inner city. Here he started an instrumental music program with a few donated instruments, teaching all the lessons and directing rehearsals. The music program eventually grew to over 100 students with three ensembles for different age-levels and professional musicians volunteering to help with lessons. The SPES jazz band made several tours, performing in cities such as Washington, D.C., New York and Chicago. Mr. Riccobono moved to the Bronx, NY to become director of the Crotona Center, a character education program for boys, and most recently worked at the Midtown Center in Chicago, assisting with volunteer training and teaching character during the summer program.