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Music

Winter Sing

Music

Calhoun’s music program nurtures creative expression and inspires a lifelong love of music. A wide array of elective offerings, along with opportunities to study one-on-one with faculty, give students a strong foundation in musical technique and exposure to genres and styles from around the world.

In our study of music, we strive to be the best we can be as performers, but we also use music to deepen our learning across disciplines. Through the practice of an instrument or participation in a chorus, students heighten their skills as collaborators, leaders and community members.

In Lower School, children receive an introduction to music through studies with a World Music specialist and learn the basics of music reading, rhythm and solfege through movement and singing, Orff instruments and percussion instruments. Beginning in fifth grade, students can take formal instrumental lessons. The music program includes concentrations in woodwinds and brass, strings and chorus. In Upper School, students may choose to add jazz or percussion to their studies after building a solid foundation with an instrument.

Our music teachers are experienced masters of their craft who bring their range of passions and expertise to their work in the classroom.

Meet Our Music Staff

Student Performances

Students in preschool through 12th grade have the opportunity to showcase their talents to the community in a range of performances held throughout the school year.

Winter and Spring Sings

The annual Winter and Spring Sings showcase the musical talents of students in 3rd-5th grades.

Calhoun Jazz Festival

Jazz Fest is a space for people to come and watch the people within our community perform. We feature Calhoun student bands, student bands from other schools, and faculty performances.

Upper School Jazz Night Concert

Student jazz bands perform for the community each year at Jazz Night.

Upper School Winds Ensemble

Upper School winds and brass players perform in a large ensemble and in small chamber music groups. 

Strings Concerts

Middle and Upper School strings ensembles perform classical music along with contemporary favorites.

81st Street Performing Arts Theater

Calhoun's Mary Lea Johnson Performing Arts Center has multiple floors dedicated to the performing arts. We have two theaters, and dedicated rehearsal spaces for our student musicians and actors.