Fine Tuning: The Art of Music Making By Edel Thomas, Chair of the Music Department
O
ur music program offers sophisticated learning experiences that cultivate inspiring performances and showcase each student at her very best. This performance-based philosophy integrates music literacy, theory, history, singing and instrumental learning at every level.
As a consequence of this caliber of music learning and music making, our students discover and develop their emergent skills and talents. young singers for the Eastern Division Honor Choir in Baltimore – and all were accepted. Not surprisingly, such outstanding opportunities have inspired a surge in student enrollment in extracurricular music activities. In the past two years, we’ve seen a marked growth in the number of students who elect to learn an instrument, play in an ensemble and/or sing in one of the choirs. In addition, although when our girls enter the Upper School all music classes and performance groups are elective, participation from the ninth grade through the 12th remains remarkably high.
Freshmen Blythe Dewling and Rose Chrin
At Kent Place School, students enjoy a dedicated faculty of passionate artist-teachers who also perform on Broadway, in opera houses and in concert halls throughout the United States and abroad. Because they’re professional musicians, they have the experience to design curricula and establish rehearsal procedures that are conducive to attaining a high level of artistic expression. These gifted educators say that nurturing skills, sharing expertise and inspiring young musicians provide enormous satisfaction.
Our overall music program is accessible to all students, and is thriving. From the Pre-Kindergarten bell ringers, who welcome the holiday season at our All School Grandparents and Friends Day Assembly, to singing and playing in the Primary School Winter and Spring Concerts, and from performing in the Middle and Upper School musicals to participating in the greatly anticipated STAR holiday presentation, our girls revel in the making of music. Watching them blossom is magical.
As a consequence of this caliber of music learning and music making, our students discover and develop their emergent skills and talents. And their hard work pays off: For example, last year we released a CD commissioned for the Kent Place Chamber Singers and the Lyrica Chamber Orchestra of Morris County. The composer, Nancy Galbraith, professor of composition at Carnegie Mellon University, was so impressed that she remarked: “[T]he performance is exquisite . . . I like when I’m listening to a good performance of music I’ve written!” Later the singers toured Vienna and Salzburg to more rave reviews. Clearly the 45 students involved were challenged at the highest level, but their reward was immeasurable. Like the KPS Chamber Singers, many of our other gifted students perform with acclaimed orchestras and choral groups in the metropolitan area. Sponsored by Kent Place faculty, they have the opportunity to train for auditioned honor choirs and regional orchestras, at both the state level and the national. Last year, the Primary School Chorus prepared seven
The Upper School Orchestra rehearses for The STAR.
DID YOU KNOW . . . •
Our Chamber Singers were invited to perform a commissioned work with the Lyrica Chamber Orchestra. The event was recorded and released on CD in 2014.
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Auditioned singers have biannual opportunities for international travel and performances. Our most recent trips were to London and to Vienna.
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All orchestral music is custom arranged for both the diversity of instruments and the ability of each individual performer.
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In February 2014, all seven of our students who auditioned for the Eastern Division Children’s Choir, in Baltimore, were accepted.
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In addition to music classes in the Primary School, supplemental instrumental class instruction is available to any third-, fourth- or fifthgrader. Private study with teaching artists on campus may take place during the academic day.
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A third of all Middle and Upper School students participate in the orchestral program and many of them perform in multiple high-level performance chamber groups as well.
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