Mary Lea Johnson Performing Arts Center
Calhoun Music Program
Calhoun students can choose from a wide variety of music classes, and work in small groups with professional music faculty.
In the Lower School, our youngest students receive their first introduction to music through studies with a World Music specialist. Starting in second grade, students begin their first formal instrumental lessons with recorders and percussion instruments. Fifth graders choose to sing in the chorus or pick an instrument to learn.
Calhoun offers a robust orchestral and chamber music program throughout the Middle and Upper School—with Strings, Winds/Brass, and Percussion components. Students have opportunities to select the repertoire they study and perform, from classical to contemporary works and popular genres, and even compose their own original music. Students in the music program have broad access to a rich faculty of professional musicians, composers, and teaching artists.
Calhoun is a leader in jazz music, and hosts a citywide jazz conference each year. Our student-musicians have frequent opportunities to perform at concerts for our community or around the city.