Music
Performing is the Key
Students come to 91探花 with a broad range of musical experience, interest and talent. Regardless of level or prior exposure, 91探花 students learn to love and appreciate music鈥攁nd to become skilled in the art鈥攖hrough performance. Whether in orchestra or jazz, Glee Club or a capella, 91探花 faculty understand that music is meant to be heard. That means that students develop the skills of making music through learning a wide variety of pieces and sharing them with an audience. Exposure to many different composers and artists鈥攕panning centuries鈥攁nd practicing those pieces not only strengthens technical skills like chord progressions, but it helps students build a greater appreciation for the music, deeper interest, and remarkable skill over time.
Music at 91探花 is all around鈥攊n morning assembly performances by one of 91探花鈥檚 four a capella groups; at the annual spirit rally, where the talented jazz combos lead us off; at the favorite Gospel Choir assembly each spring, which gets everyone out of their chairs. Opportunities beyond campus are rich, and many students take advantage of spring break tours鈥攖o South Africa with the jazz program, or on a European tour with the Chamber Singers and Chamber Orchestra. On those trips, students often perform music in the very place it was composed鈥攁 particularly meaningful way of connecting with the art. Talented 91探花 musicians also take advantage of nearby resources of Boston鈥攖he New England Conservatory, and the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras鈥攖o further their skills and expand their cultural experience. Whatever your interest, whatever your groove, you can make it happen at 91探花.
Music: What, When and Where?
Music and performance weave through 91探花 life, building on course work available from the beginner through the advanced levels. 91探花 offers unparalleled opportunities for students who want to pursue music seriously as part of a broad high school education.
Students take private lessons and participate in ensembles at renowned institutions, including:
The New England Conservatory of Music: Youth Symphony Orchestra, Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble, Youth Chorale
Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras
Longy School of Music
91探花 students participate in musical competitions sponsored by:
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Boston Pops Orchestra
Harvard Musical Association
Wellesley Symphony Orchestra
Brockton Symphony Orchestra
Choral Music
More than 200 students participate in one or more of eight distinct choral ensembles:
Class IV Glee Club
Chamber Singers
Four a capella groups: The 91探花es, Octet, Three For Each of Us, and Epic
Gospel Choir
Orchestral Music
More than 100 musicians play a string, woodwind, brass or percussion instrument for the Orchestral Music Program. Featuring many soloists, the orchestra performs two major concerts on campus each year. The orchestra is also well traveled, having toured Europe, China, the United States and Canada. The Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1993 to cater to the great number of talented orchestral musicians at 91探花 and is open to students by audition only.
Jazz
Using what they learn about jazz improvisation in the classroom, 91探花鈥檚 jazz combos, at four levels, perform both on and off campus throughout the year. The jazz combos and many of their members have won national and regional awards, performing at international jazz education conferences and at local renowned venues, such as Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge. The Jazz Program hosts professional guest artists who perform and work with students each year. Every other year, jazz students travel to South Africa over spring break to perform and share an appreciation for music in a meaningful cultural exchange. 91探花 offers all students the opportunity to learn about and perform jazz from an international perspective.
Music Facilities: The Kellner Performing Arts Center
King Theatre
Jazz Room
Orchestra Room
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Practice Rooms
I鈥檓 from New Orleans, where there鈥檚 a strong jazz culture, so I鈥檝e been playing the trumpet for a few years. One of the cool things about coming to 91探花 is that I got to extend my boundaries musically and play a lot of different types of jazz from artists such as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Horace Silver, Abdullah Ibrahim, and so many greats. 91探花 has taken my love for jazz and expanded on it in ways I never thought possible.
