Performing Arts

Students have formal music instruction starting in the three-year-old preschool and visit the lower school music studio once a week through the 5th grade, and 6th graders take theater for a quarter.

High school students have the option of taking of seven performing arts courses, and students in grades 6th-12th may audition for theater productions, including the Spring Musical, and join the Instrumental Ensemble.

Our campus has a music studio, a multipurpose room with a stage for smaller productions, and a large stage in one of the gymnasiums for larger programs. Smaller music programs are also performed in the Founders Chapel. 

Students participate in the S.C. Independent School Association Music Festival for which they receive numerous medals for their performances.

Christmas Music Program

With a mix of traditional hymns, including Angels We Have Heard on High and Joy to the World, to contemporary songs such as If I Were a Reindeer and Here Comes the Snow, students in 1st-5th grades performed for a standing-room-only crowd of nearly 700 in the Nash Student Center during the Christmas program. The program included a nativity scene and the story of Christ’s birth while students sang Silent Night in its original German and in English, and the Afternoon Chorus was highlighted for two numbers. The show concluded with an appearance by Santa as the students sang a Jingle All the Way medley. Mrs. Julia Sims-Owens, lower school music teacher, directed the program. Christmas and winter-themed art, created  by lower school students taught by Mrs. Renee Norton, adorned the foyer and greeted guests as they arrived for the program.
 

Spring Musical

For the Spring Musical, the Theater Department is presenting The Music Man Jr. on March 13 & 14, 2024. The musical will feature students in grades 6-12. Information regarding tickets will be available soon.

Lower School Chorus Concert

Directed by Mrs. Julia Sims-Owens, the Lower School Chorus performed a spring concert in the Founders Chapel on May 2. The concert featured songs from around the world, opening with the Liberian folk song “Banuwa Yo,” and concluding with the Hebrew “Shalom.” Other international numbers included the classic Irish song “Danny Boy” and “Amigos” which was performed in English, Spanish, French and American Sign Language. The upbeat “Catch the Rhythm” and the anthem “Always Sing Your Song” rounded out the program. Composed of fourth and fifth grade students who audition to become a member, the chorus is an extracurricular activity that rehearses after school once a week. Mrs. Yvonne Wilkes was the accompanist for the concert. 

Shrek the Musical

Watch the show on YouTube by visiting Wilson Hall Theater.

The Theater Department presented Shrek the Musical Jr. which featured a cast of 33 and a crew of 17 students in grades 6-12. Over 500 guests attended each of the two performances which culminated in rousing standing ovations.

Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Shrek the Musical Jr., based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and Broadway musical with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori. It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. Part romance and part twisted fairytale, Shrek Jr. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family. 

Lead roles were performed by Slade Custer ‘24 - Donkey, Annabelle Huffman ‘23 - Fiona, and Justin Grynkewich ‘23 - Shrek. Featured roles were performed by Madison Archebelle ‘23 - Dragon, Frances Mac Elmore ‘25 - Witch, Sean Galloway ‘23 - Lord Farquaad, Sam Richards - Pinocchio ‘23, and Caitlyn Schumacher ‘23 - Gingy. Playing multiple featured roles were Joslynn Barrick ‘28, Mary Claire Bearak ‘24, Katie Croft ‘24, Hannah Harkrader ‘28, and Abby Hodge ‘29. Mr. George Carruth was the director, Mrs. Lori Brown music director, Mr. Sean Hoskins producer, and Mrs. Jen Reimer choreographer. Mrs. Rachel Brown and Mrs. Tara Schumacher were in charge of props, set design, and scenic design, and Mrs. Renee Norton coordinated costumes.

State Music Festival Gold Medal Winners

Benjamin McIver, Lauren Kohl, Riley Coker, Annabelle Huffman & Abby Hodge (vocal solo) and Quentin Smith (percussion) received superior ratings and a gold medal at the SCISA State Music Festival held at the USC School of Music in Columbia. Also earning a gold medal and superior rating was the 4th & 5th Grade Chorus. Mrs. Julia Owens, lower school music teacher, and Mr. Scott Warren, high school music teacher and the advisor for the Instrumental Ensemble, accompanied the students to the festival.

Theater Production: Miss Nelson is Missing

Under the direction of Mr. George Carruth, the Theater Department presented Miss Nelson is Missing on the multipurpose room stage to two sold-out shows with audiences of 110 each night. A special performance was also held for students in the 107 kindergarten and first grade classes during the school day. The cast included students in grades 7-12, and students worked behind the scenes with hair, costumes, make-up, lighting, sound, sets and props. Members of the Instrumental Ensemble, directed by Mr. Scott Warren, provided music.

The comedy, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from the popular book by Harry Allard Jr., revolves around Miss Nelson, a teacher who cannot control her classroom because she is too nice. When she disappears, her replacement is the hard-as-nails, detention-loving, recess-canceling, homework-overloading substitute teacher Viola Swamp. With the Big Test approaching, the students realize how much they miss Miss Nelson and they will do anything, including hiring a private detective, to solve the mystery of her disappearance and bring her back.