Musical showcase

The audience sits quietly, completely enamored by the rich, vibrant sound of the cello played by 8th-grade student Joshua Lee. John DeLuca ’23 takes the crowd through myriad emotions with his vocal solo. And sophomore Shirley Zhang stuns the room to silence and then applause while she strums her guzheng with a pick on every finger.

music, at its core, evokes emotion. It’s known to generate blood flow and inspire creativity and joy. And the students who presented at the Portledge Musical Showcase in April did just that.

Portledge students participate in music and perform at every school level, beginning with classroom instruction and singing in Lower School, advancing to instrumental lessons in fourth grade, and forming performance groups in Middle School. The program aims to harness that joy to explore and create music together.

Student music performances are highlighted on campus with winter and spring concerts and an additional Musical Showcase each spring for Middle and Upper School students, which is by audition only. Several Portledge students continue their music studies and practice beyond classroom time, and they are invited to share their talents that evening. All students are invited to audition via video for the Showcase, and members of the music and theater departments then decide who will perform based on a voting rubric.

From Bach to Broadway, 19 students took the stage as soloists or in duets for 16 pieces. Additionally, all of the performances featured a beautiful Steinway & Sons piano brought in for the occasion. This year’s Showcase featured performances from students in 7th–12th grades.

Mrs. Eden White, Upper School Dean and Accompanist for five students at the Showcase recalls, “The thing that stands out to me beyond the extraordinary talent is that there is a resounding energy and support from faculty, parents, and students alike that is unmatched. The sense of community in the music and theatre departments reflects the energy and beauty of being a musical artist.”

Students interested in the performing arts are able to foster that interest at Portledge through the variety of class offerings in acting and music. The Showcase highlights a small group of our student artists, but the talent goes beyond what was presented that night.

Thank you to our music department and all of our student artists for a successful Showcase and a successful year in the arts.