The Arts

LOWER SCHOOL

MUSIC CURRICULUM & PERFORMANCES

Grades K-2 begin their journey with general music classes every week. In Grade 3, chorus is introduced into the curriculum as a separate additional class. In Grades 4-5, students also begin the study of an instrument (choosing between violin, viola, and cello). 

All students perform at the Holiday Concert in December and the Spring Concert in May, and Kindergarten performs at their annual Visitors Day. The Performing Arts Department works with every Lower School grade to prepare a “grade song” which is performed at our annual Arch Day. Select grades and individuals are chosen to perform at our annual Holiday Arts Festival. 

THEATER CURRICULUM & PERFORMANCES

All grades K-5 rehearse and perform one show per year, which are often adaptations of children's books or popular Broadway shows. Shows are rehearsed for about 8-10 weeks during the school day. During the rehearsal process, students are introduced to basic theater vocabulary and technique including spatial awareness, vocal projection, and peer-to-peer interaction. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL

MUSIC CURRICULUM & PERFORMANCES

Students in Grades 6-8 choose from a variety of music electives, including Vocal Ensemble, Instrumental (violin, viola, cello), Music & Technology, and Guitar. Elective options may vary per year.

All students participating in Vocal Ensemble, Instrumental, and Guitar perform at our Holiday Concert in December and the Spring Concert in May. Select performance groups are chosen to perform for the entire school community at our Holiday Arts Festival. 

THEATER PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Middle School students have several theatrical opportunities each year, including a musical, a spring play or cabaret, and a weekly class. All Middle School students are eligible to audition for the winter musical, which is produced in conjunction with the Upper School. Auditions take place in December with several performances in March at an off-Broadway theater. Past musicals have included Legally Blond, Guys & Dolls, Hairspray, and The Drowsy Chaperone, just to name a few. In the spring, students are encouraged to audition for a non-musical play or musical cabaret that takes place in the school's auditorium. Past shows include Peter and the Starcatcher, Radium Girls, Only in my Dreams, and The Complete History of America (Abridged). During the school day, students can take an Improvisation & Devised Theater activity, which meets weekly. Students are introduced to the basic building blocks of improv and work together to create original characters and scenes that are shared with their peers at an assembly. 

UPPER SCHOOL

MUSIC CURRICULUM

Students in Grades 9-12 may choose to take one or more music electives throughout their time in high school. Ensembles and classes include:

• A Capella: BWL has two a capella groups, the Beaux Ties and the MsChords. These groups are by audition only.
• Rock Band: the BWL band, open to students at all levels who play any instrument. This ensemble is by audition only.
• Orchestra: designed for students who wish to continue their study of violin, viola, or cello.
• Vocal Ensemble: open to all students interested in singing. This ensemble focuses on a variety of genres, including pop, folk, rock, musical theatre, and traditional choral material.
• History of Pop Music: a non-performance elective focusing on the development of rock n' roll and how today's pop music came to be.

All Upper School students in an ensemble perform at the Holiday Concert, Spring Concert, and Holiday Arts Festival.

THEATER CURRICULUM

Several theater electives are offered each year, but class options may vary. Electives may include Theater Master Class, Audition Technique, Advanced Acting, Devised Theater, Dance Technique & Composition, and Puppet Theater.