In PreK through 4th grade, students are introduced to rhythmic and tonal instruments.
Beginning in 5th and 6th grade, students can choose to begin instruction on a brass, woodwind or percussion instrument. The band program provides skills-based performance ensembles from 7th-12th grade which include 2 concert bands, a marching band with drum line and color guard, a basketball pep band and a traveling jazz band.
With a tradition of excellence, awards, accolades, leadership training and a spirit of fun, the Whitefield Academy Band program serves students throughout middle and high school with numerous opportunities for both on and off campus performances, a wide variety of musical community service opportunities, division and state audition experiences and progressive, challenging learning to insure college readiness and a lifetime engagement in music-making.
In both lower and middle school, various art disciplines, including chorus, are available for every student. High school students are offered expanded programs in all areas of fine arts on an elective basis.
Students in the lower school will have the opportunity to discover and explore their talents through a number of listening, playing, and singing skills. In middle school, the goal is to develop the unique voice. Students will learn sight-reading and music analysis.
Once in high school, students will present several evening concerts throughout the year and will perform both on and off-campus.
The orchestra program at Whitefield Academy offers young musicians the opportunity to excel in musical skill and performance.
The opportunity for orchestra instruction begins as the Lower School offers violin lessons in an after-school program on a group or individual basis. In the Middle School, fifth and sixth grade students choose a musical elective in orchestra, band, or chorus. Seventh through twelfth graders may continue in orchestra in either the Orchestra I or Orchestra II class as students learn more advanced techniques, study music history and music theory, practice an array of musical styles, and begin to develop compositional skills.
Orchestral students at Whitefield perform in chapel services, concerts, and campus events which enrich the life of the community while giving the students valuable experience toward further musical study and performance at the college level or beyond.