The Performing Arts

Eaglebrook is a musical place, with boys singing and playing instruments every day. Along with analyzing, practicing, composing, and performing music, boys participate in drama, learning to act in, write, and direct plays and musicals. 
Many students are new to performing arts, training their voices, ears, and stage presence for the first time, and we welcome boys who have never sung a note, strummed a cord, or recited a sonnet. At the same time, we offer advanced performing arts classes to boys ready for a lead role in a production or first chair in band. Boys can join band, jazz band, chorus, or string orchestra, and can audition for the a cappella group, The Eaglebrook Ad Libs, who sing the National Anthem each year at Fenway Park. To make sure boys hit all of the notes, they also study the history and theory of music. 
 

Performing Arts Videos

Performing Arts Photos

Courses

List of 8 items.

  • Ad Libs

    Open to Sixth Formers by audition. This ensemble of 8-12 singers performs mostly four-part contemporary a cappella music, though other genres are also explored. The group performs frequently both on and off campus, as well as once a year for a Red Sox game at Fenway Park in Boston. Students interested in singing with the Ad Libs are strongly encouraged to gain experience by first singing with the Chorus. 
  • Band

    The Band is a year long elective for students who play wind, brass, and percussion instruments. The group is for students who have had some previous experience playing a band instrument and offers the opportunity to play in a large ensemble. Differentiated instruction is a key component of the program, so all levels from beginning to advanced, are able to participate. Students are exposed to different styles of music from marches and jazz to current pop music. They learn note reading, develop proper playing technique, explore different styles of musical expression, and learn to use music vocabulary appropriately. The Band is also a performing ensemble and students perform on and off campus several times throughout the year.
     
  • Chorus

    The Chorus is a year long elective for all students who wish to sing in an ensemble. This ensemble is for students of all levels from beginning to advanced. Proper singing posture and breathing technique are taught daily, along with basic skills including note reading, identifying basic rhythms, and using music vocabulary appropriately. Many styles of music are practiced and performed, with the main focus being on popular music. Performances are given throughout the school year. 
  • Instrumental Workshop

    Instrumental Workshop classes are offered for beginning wind and brass students and for band students who are unable to participate in Band because of scheduling conflicts. For beginning students, a method book is used to learn basic notes, rhythms, and music vocabulary. Posture, embouchure, and other techniques are also taught on a daily basis. Beginning students continue to participate in all of the band performances by playing simpler parts that are written for their skill level. For more experienced players who have a scheduling conflict, another Instrumental Workshop class is offered and band music is the main focus along with learning basic musicianship skills.
  • Introduction to Acting

    Improvisation, pantomime, theater games, and voice training. (Trimester course)
  • Jazz Band

    Jazz Band accommodates those students who have demonstrated both exceptional ability and motivation in Band. The Jazz Band rehearses twice a week outside of the academic day and is a year-long commitment. The group performs several times throughout the year both on and off campus.
  • Piano Lessons

    Elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels. An individualized modern approach to piano techniques including the Baroque to contemporary composers with development of musical skills through supervised practice and public appearances. Students interested in piano as an elective should fill out an interest sheel available through their advisor. Sectioning for piano is determined by a combination of the timely receipt of the interest sheet, the student's grade level, schedule, and availablity.  (Trimester course)
  • String Orchestra

    The String Orchestra is a year long elective for students who play string instruments. This performing group is a large ensemble that practices outside of the academic day, and it is for students who have had some previous experience playing a string instrument. Students are exposed to different musical styles from classical to pop. They learn note reading, develop proper playing technique, explore different styles of musical expression, and learn to use music vocabulary appropriately. The String Orchestra is a performing ensemble and students perform on and off campus several times throughout the year.
     

Faculty

List of 4 members.

  • Photo of Wendi Melnik

    Ms. Wendi Melnik 

    Performing Arts Department Chair; Director of Band, String Orchestra, & Jazz Band
  • Photo of Benjamin Demerath

    Mr. Benjamin Demerath 

    Teacher; Coach
  • Photo of Tyler Keyes

    Mr. Tyler Keyes 

    Theater Director
  • Photo of Emily  Luker

    Ms. Emily  Luker 

    Teacher; Dorm Head
271 Pine Nook Road   |   P. O. Box 7   |    Deerfield, MA 01342   |   413-774-7411