SALLY O'NEILL
Middle School Music Director
New West Charter School
Los Angeles, California
BIOGRAPHY
Learning. Teaching. Performing.
Sally O’Neill grew up on Long Island and began her music journey in the 4th grade. She started on the flute and then began to double on piccolo as soon as she was allowed. Band was always her favorite subject and she knew from a young age that she wanted to do it for the rest of her life. Sally studied Music Education at the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam and earned a B.M in 2013. After student teaching in Brooklyn, NY she then continued her education and earned an M.A from Teachers College, Columbia University. Soon after graduation in 2016, Sally moved to the west coast to begin teaching full time. This is her eighth year teaching and fifth year as the Middle School Music Director at New West. Teaching instrumental music at the middle school level is where her passion lives.
Primarily a flute/piccolo player, Sally has performed extensively with many ensembles including the Brooklyn Wind Symphony, SMC Wind Ensemble, Pasadena Community Orchestra, and the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project in Schladming, Austria. You can even hear her playing on the CW's TV show, Katy Keene and NBC's La Brea, which she recorded for at Remote Control Studios. Sally recently performed at a Piccolo Masterclass with the principal flute and piccolo players of the MET Opera Orchestra.
In the classroom, Sally looks to instill a passion for performing, listening, and enjoying music in every student. Through dedication and hard work, her students will learn a new skill and language while making friends and having fun. Her students have performed at Carnegie Hall, Knott's Berry Farm, and the LA Marathon, and have visited the Walt Disney Concert Hall for various concerts, rehearsals, and workshops.
When Sally is not teaching or practicing, you can find her enjoying a live concert. She also enjoys yoga and pilates, cooking, and playing with her adorable kittens, Poppy and Rocco.
COURSE OVERVIEW
Middle School Curriculum
BEGINNING STUDENTS
All Beginning students will focus on note reading, tone production, bow hold, embouchure, air support, posture, and the fundamentals of rhythms. All students must perform during class and during each concert. Playing assignments are submitted via MusicFirst. Upon successful completion of this course, students may audition for the next level course.
Daily practice is expected.
INTERMEDIATE
BAND AND STRINGS
Intermediate students continue to move through the second book in their assigned series. Students play music with increasing difficulty and independent parts. All students must perform during class and during each concert. Playing assignments are submitted via MusicFirst. In addition to successful completion of their current class, students may choose to audition for the 8th Grade Ensemble.
Daily practice is expected.
8TH GRADE ENSEMBLE
This group combines the woodwinds, brass, strings, and percussion students in one ensemble, where students continue to work together and perform frequently. Students perform for each other and submit frequent playing assignments on Music First. Students will also build upon music history and theory as they now can see how all of the sections work together in an ensemble. Students are preparing to move into the High School Music Program.
Daily practice is expected.
STUDENT RESOURCES
Practice, Practice, Practice!
RECOMMENDED METHOD BOOKS
Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion:
Solos and Duets for All Instruments
Strings:
Additional Flute Resources:
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
APPS FOR SMART PHONES AND TABLETS
Always have the tools you need!
Access your MusicFirst Account from ANY device. You must have the app for Iphone or Ipad.
Ear Training and Intonation
Create a virtual ensemble
