Music - Saint James School

Whether your goal is to learn to play an instrument, to sing for the first time, or to advance to new heights of achievement, Saint James offers a wide range of music classes and opportunities. Our students are engaged in a variety of musical disciplines, from singing in the Chapel Choir and a cappella groups to instrumental chamber ensembles and student-organized bands. Private music lessons are taught by twelve adjunct music faculty during the academic day so that students do not have to choose between a musical interest and athletics, clubs, or theater.

Our music programs are housed in the Pohanka Fine Arts Center. The state-of-the-art building has three practice rooms, seven teacher studios, an ensemble rehearsal room, choir rehearsal room, classroom, and recital hall.

PRIVATE MUSIC INSTRUCTION is available in voice, piano, guitar, strings, brass, winds, and percussion.

MUSIC THEORY FUNDAMENTALS AND AP MUSIC THEORY prepare students planning to pursue music in college.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES include wind and string ensembles, boys' and girls' a cappella groups, winter musical, and recitals.

THE SAINT JAMES CHAPEL CHOIR is one of the finest in the country, with choristers leading twice weekly services of Holy Eucharist and Sunday evening Compline. They also sing regionally at area parishes and cathedrals, and have performed during recent spring break trips to England and Florida.

Vocal and Choral Music

Where better to find your voice than at Saint James? Students enjoy numerous opportunities to sing and perform. The 40-student Saint James Chapel Choir leads the School in daily chapel and twice-weekly services of Holy Eucharist. Affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music in England, a training program is used to provide goals and markers of achievement. Vocal coaches and sectional rehearsals conducted by levels of experience provide new singers with additional training and give more advanced singers the opportunity to work on additional repertoire.

Choristers serve as School ambassadors, performing in concerts and services at local and regional churches and cathedrals. In March of 2018, the Choir toured the United Kingdom where they sang services of Choral Evensong and concerts at the cathedrals of Winchester, Guildford, Christ Church Oxford, Bristol and Wells, and Tewkesbury Abbey.

Private voice lessons stress the development of healthy vocal technique while allowing students to explore a wide variety of repertoire and styles. In addition to Chapel Choir, the boys’ and girls’ a cappella groups and the spring musical offer opportunities for a variety of performance experiences.

Instrumental Music

At Saint James, classically trained cellists, drummers, rock guitarists, trombone players, and bluegrass banjo players all find a home in which to study, explore, and perform. Saint James faculty members enjoy playing side by side with students.

Chamber ensembles are formed according to enrollment and ability. Students who would like to play in a larger ensemble may audition for the Shepherd University Preparatory Orchestra.

Music Classes

SECOND FORM MUSIC & THEATER

CHAPEL CHOIR (Forms III-VI)

APPLIED MUSIC INSTRUCTION

ADVANCED MUSIC THEORY

MUSIC THEORY FUNDAMENTALS (FORMS III-VI)