MUSIC
The Cheshire Academy Music Program believes all students benefit from music education, from absolute beginners to students planning a career in music. Embodying the Cheshire Academy ethos of “meeting students where they are and taking them beyond where they imagined possible,” all students can participate in our program and be challenged to grow as musicians and as people.
Student musicians develop tenacity, patience, focus, and confidence at Cheshire. They also have many opportunities to display leadership in student-led ensembles such as our rock bands, flute choir, and a cappella ensemble.
Advanced students have the opportunity to take private lessons, audition for all-state music festivals, and study AP Music Theory and IB Music.
Students who participate fully in evening music ensembles are eligible for one-on-one or small group lessons. During the day, students can take classes to focus on their instruments or singing (Music Performance), study music theory (AP Music Theory and IB Music HL and SL), or learn about songwriting or music technology. Our after-school music program gives students more time to practice (as an alternative to after-school athletics), and even participate in the winter musical’s pit band. There are also numerous ensembles available to students in the evenings; see below for a full list. Schoolwide Morning Meetings give students the opportunity to perform for the school in small groups or as a solo performer.
Performance Groups
Chorus
ORCHESTRA
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
GUITAR ENSEMBLE
JAZZ BAND
ROCK BAND
A CAPPELLA
FLUTE CHOIR
WINTER MUSICAL
MUSICAL THEATER PIT BAND
Performance Opportunities
- Weekly all-school morning meetings
- Convocation and Commencement
- NAfME National Honors Ensembles
- CMEA All-state Festivals
- CMEA Southern Region Festivals
- Winter Concert
- Winter Reception
- Spring Concert
- Parents Weekend
- Open Houses
- Coffee Houses
- Talent Shows
Music Major
Music Major is a unique capstone program for student musicians at Cheshire Academy. The program offers a yearlong course designed for honors-level music students who are dedicated to pursuing their passion for music, exploring the art of expressing meaning through sound, and who may be considering majoring or minoring in music in college or aspire to a career as a professional musician.
At the heart of this course is the process of music mastery, with a rigorous focus on developing skills such as practice, nuance, phrasing, performance, and technical proficiency, all of which are essential for creating top-level music.
While Music Major is particularly beneficial for students who plan to apply to music programs for college, all students with a strong interest and background in music can thrive in this class. Throughout the course, students have opportunities to perform regularly and engage in audition preparation, showcasing their talents and honing their skills. All Music Major students receive individual lessons for their specialty instrument from world-class teachers.
Mastery of Skills
Through the Music Major program, student musicians hone their mastery in the following areas:
- Ear training. Students learn to identify intervals, chords, and melodies by ear as well as transcribe music from ear.
- Sight reading. Students learn to sight-read music with confidence at varying levels of difficulty.
- Scale proficiency. Students learn to play all major and minor scales in all keys up to the highest range of their instrument.
- Virtuosic performance. Students learn to perform and interpret challenging repertoire representing a variety of musical styles and periods, from Baroque to the modern era.
- Ensemble work. Students learn to play in ensembles and work with other musicians.
- Performance skills. Students hone their performance etiquette and stage presence.
- Quality recording. Students create audio and video recordings of their performances for use in auditions and competitions.
Ultimately, this course aims to inspire each student to channel their passion for music and strive to achieve their full potential, producing work that reflects their unique abilities and dedication to the art form.
Over the years, our music program has proven to be an asset to our student musicians, offering them a wide range of benefits. Graduates have gone on to pursue their musical talents at prestigious institutions, including Berklee College of Music, Hartt School of Music at University of Hartford, Music and Performing Arts Professions at New York University, and Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University.
In addition to those who have pursued music as a career, many of our graduates who have chosen other professional paths continued to participate in music throughout their college years and perform throughout their lives. The skills and knowledge gained through the Cheshire Academy Music Program have enriched their lives and provided them with a lifelong appreciation for music.
Instrumental Breadth & Depth
The Music Major program serves the following instruments, through established relationships with world-class instructors and performers:
- Bagpipes
- Cello
- Clarinet
- Double Bass/Electric Bass
- Flute
- French Horn
- Guitar (electric and acoustic in all styles)
- Oboe
- Organ and keyboard
- Percussion (drum sets, mallets, snares, and other)
- Piano (Classical and Jazz)
- Saxophone
- Trombone
- Trumpet
- Tuba
- Violin
- Viola
New instruments are welcome and supported by the music faculty.
