US Choral Concerts

A Cappella Foundations is a vocal ensemble that will introduce students to the fundamentals of a cappella singing, including vocal technique, music literacy, and artistic expression. In a cappella music, everything you hear is made using only the human voice—no instruments—through harmony, vocal technique, and beatboxing-style vocal percussion. They will also cultivate a working knowledge of fundamental music theory and explore the wider cultural context of the repertoire they study. Throughout the course, students will learn how to listen for tuning and ensemble blend during rehearsal. The aim of the course is to develop confident musicians and prepare for a public concert at the end of the term. Weekly individual voice lessons are not required but are available on campus to students for an additional fee. Students who are on financial aid at Beaver have the same percentage of aid applied to their private music lessons. Students interested in taking more than one art class should reach out to the registrar or the Head of Performing Arts to discuss possible options.

One Term Course

Prerequisite: No prerequisite

B-Side A Cappella is a vocal group open to everyone—from beginners to experienced singers—with the option to take the class for honors credit. In a cappella music, everything you hear is made using only the human voice—no instruments—through harmony, vocal technique, and beatboxing-style vocal percussion. In B-Side, students rehearse and perform contemporary pop songs while building confidence, musicianship, and strong ensemble skills. Building on A Cappella Foundations, students will learn how to arrange music for voices, experiment with improvisation, and explore how a cappella fits into broader cultural and musical traditions. Rehearsals emphasize collaboration, creativity, and independence, with frequent opportunities to work in small groups and take on leadership roles during weekly rehearsals.

B-Side performs in one public concert each term, giving students regular opportunities to share their work with an audience. This course may be taken more than once. Weekly private voice lessons are not required, but are available on campus for an additional fee. Students receiving financial aid at Beaver will have the same percentage of aid applied to private music lessons. Students interested in enrolling in more than one arts course should contact the registrar or the Head of Performing Arts to explore scheduling options.

Two Term Course. Can be taken for 1 Term only if in conjunction with A Cappella Foundations.
Prerequisite: Any Upper School choral ensemble or permission of the instructor.

Select Singers is an all-year Honors vocal ensemble for experienced singers which performs choral music from across a wide variety of traditions, time periods, and places across the globe. Select Singers aims to advance vocal technique, ensemble skills, and individual musicianship through study and performance of a wide variety of choral repertoire. Students will work in a variety of smaller groups within the ensemble in both sight-reading exercises and sectional rehearsals. Students should be highly motivated and committed to learning music at an accelerated pace and be prepared to sing for public concerts in smaller ensembles. Select Singers will perform in concerts at the end of each term. This course can be taken more than once. Weekly individual voice lessons are not required but are available on campus to students for an additional fee. Students who are on financial aid at Beaver have the same percentage of aid applied to their private music lessons. Students interested in taking more than one art class should reach out to the registrar or the Head of Performing Arts to discuss possible options.

Three Term Course – E Block

Prerequisite: Audition