Under the direction of Mr. John Szymanski, Queen of Angels School works to consistently develop music skills in its students, beginning in preschool and proceeding through the eighth grade. Employing a variety of teaching methods, Mr. Szymanski strives to meet the standards developed by the National Association for Music Education, while also instilling in his students a love for music — which, in the classroom, can range from religious music to classical, rock, gospel, blues, and jazz. Children are as likely to hear a Bach cantata as a Beatles tune.

The school’s classes are augmented by opportunities for students to perform, travel, and record with the Queen of Angels children’s choirs, under the direction of Mr. Kent Jager. Students in middle school use their class time to expand upon their musicianship via Orff instruments and recorders, while the junior high classes feature music theory lessons and individual hand bell ensembles.

In addition, the students of Queen of Angels have two main performing opportunities a year – the annual Christmas Pageant, which is held in the Queen of Angels Church and is composed of Church music and hymns – and the Spring Pops Concert, which is made up of more contemporary music and is held in the gym.

As Mr. Szymanski says, “Music is a constant source of happiness and wonder in myself and many other people around the world, and it’s my pleasure to bring the appreciation, enjoyment and creation of music to the children of Queen of Angels.”