Students who participate in our musical ensembles come from a variety of backgrounds.  Some have taken years of instrumental lessons; others join the chorus and discover singing for the first time their freshman year.

No matter what your instrument or level of proficiency, you will find a place here.  Over one-third of the entire student population are involved in our choral or instrumental ensembles.  These ensembles meet during conflict-free time during the middle of the day, and students receive academic credit for their participation.

This midday conflict-free block allows students the to fully participate in musical ensembles without having to sacrifice participating in a team sport or taking advanced academic classes.  Best of all, students still have plenty of time to eat lunch with their friends.

Academy Singers

The Academy Singers is our large chorus of male and female voices. Open to all students, this group rehearses and performs a varied program of music.  Rehearsals are two days per week, and the ensemble performs at our three major school concerts.  

Select Chorus: "The First"

Our Select Chorus is an auditioned 24-member ensemble open to 10th-12th graders.  This group sings more advanced choral works of the 15th-20th century, in English and in foreign languages, and performs at both on- and off-campus events and concerts.  On occasion, members of this chorus will guest-conduct a piece of music at one of our school concerts.

Auditions are held during the first week of classes each September.

The Academy Orchestra

The Academy Orchestra is open to all students who have intermediate abilities on orchestral instruments or piano.  The ensemble performs both classical and contemporary repertoire at our major school concerts during the year.

Jazz Band

Performing a blend of traditional and contemporary jazz repertoire, our Jazz Band is open to all students who have intermediate abilities on guitar, bass, drums, piano, sax, or brass instruments.  The group performs at the major school concerts during the year.

Student Performances in Concerts      Our major school concerts include about six "slots" for selected student performers.  All students, from freshmen through seniors, are encouraged to audition for their own solo slot. There is absolutely no "preferential" treatment for upperclassmen. Freshmen and sophomores are given the same opportunity as our veteran musicians.  

The Guild is a student-run variety show, held three times teach year, featuring just about any sort of music, acting, poetry reading, juggling, and comedy.  All students are welcome to participate.

Student Recitals feature performances by students studying voice or an instrument, along with talented students who aren't enrolled in formal music lessons.  These performances take place in our Black Box Theater, a relaxed and less formal setting.

Every Wednesday, students gather for Chapel.  While this weekly event usually features a speaker, students have the opportunity to either play as everyone assembles, during the event itself, as everyone is dismissed, or any combination of the three.  

Every Friday, The Morning Meeting Band plays either rock, jazz, or originals.  Members are usually chosen at the beginning of each year, but guest performers are always welcome to jam with the group.

Rock Bands spring up quite often during the school year.  Some have lasted for several years, and members have gone on to perform together in college and beyond, and some form just to play one special event, such as our annual Powder Puff football game.

In addition to our ensembles, we offer courses such as Music Theory and American Music History for students to further pursue their musical studies.  As part of our Introduction to Fine Arts course for all freshmen, students may request a course in Music, which explores songwriting, the history of rock music, and other topics pertinent to the music scene today.

Upperclassmen may also work one-on-one with a music faculty member in an Independent Study program.  Students who are interested in diving into such topics as Advanced Music Theory, Conducting, or Composition are invited to make their proposals to the music faculty member with whom they would be studying. 

Singers and instrumentalists interested in studying with a private teacher have the opportunity to take lessons with talented instructors from the area who come to The Governor's Academy to offer lessons on several instruments and voice. Students have one 45-minute lesson each week, scheduled during one of their free blocks.

For more information on our Studio Lesson Program, please contact Chris Drelich, program coordinator.