Music Program

Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC)

All ECLC students participate in weekly 30-minute classes. Students have the opportunity to sing and play instruments in as class, as well as learning some of the fundamentals of music.

The ECLC students also participate in a variety of performances throughout the school year. Some of the events include a Kindergarten play, The Christmas Story, Chapel performances, a Grandparents’ Day program and a Celebration of their studies of the different Habitats of Heathwood.

Lower School

Students in grades one through four participate in weekly 40-minute classes. They are introduced to the basic elements of music – including rhythm, melody and harmony – through experiences in listening, singing, playing and movement. Classical music and identification of well-known composers are an integral part of the listening experience, and there is an emphasis placed on integrating music with the classroom curriculum at all four levels.

Lower School (LS) students are given a variety of opportunities to perform throughout the school year. Traditionally, the second and fourth grades present a class musical; first-graders perform for our weekly morning meetings or chapels; and third-graders culminate their year with our South Carolina Day performance. Fourth graders serve as the choir for Heathwood Hall’s annual Festival of Lesson & Carols held in December at Trinity Cathedral. All LS students participate in the Grandparents’ Day musical program.

Students in third and fourth grade may also choose to join the LS Chorus, which meets once a week. These students perform in the community as well as in various choral concerts held on campus throughout the year.

Band

Students in grades five through twelve have the opportunity to learn to play a band instrument. Instrumentalists are taught the fundamentals of music reading and of their individual instruments through classes that meet three days a week. An emphasis on overall musicianship is achieved through preparation for performances as a large ensemble and with smaller groups.

In addition to two formal performances in the fall and spring, the Jazz band, Pep band and various chamber ensembles can be heard throughout the school year at a variety of events and chapel services. Band students also have the opportunity to audition for the S.C. Region Band and All State ensembles, which are comprised of students representing both public and independent schools.

Chorus

Intermediate/Middle School (I/MS) students have the option of participating in chorus for the full academic year. The I/MS chorus program focuses on music theory and performance culminating in a winter and spring concert.

Students also have the opportunity to participate in festivals and competitions, including sixth-grade S.C. Clinic, SATB SC clinic, Carowinds competition, and the South Carolina Independent School Association choral competition.

Upper School (US) students may choose to study chorus for the full academic year. The US Chorus program offers a General Chorus as well as an Honor’s Choir. The General Chorus class focuses on music theory and performance. The Honor’s Choir offers more rigorous material for the singer.

Students in both choirs have the opportunity to perform locally, nationally and internationally. Heathwood Hall choirs have been very successful in festivals and competitions at South Carolina Independent School Association events, Festival Disney, S.C. Solo and Ensemble, S.C. All-State Chorus and Columbia College Women’s Honor Choir.

Music Theory

Music Theory is a full-year course that meets for fifty minutes each day and is offered to Upper School (US) students. The class is an opportunity for students to study the many building blocks that form a musical composition. Students learn the fundamentals of music notation and spend considerable time developing their aural skills through sight-singing and dictation activities. The class equips students with the skills necessary to take the AP Music Theory exam, to interpret a score of music and to compose original music.

Private Lessons

Weekly 30-minute music lessons are available through the after-school program. Lessons are offered in piano, violin, voice, and guitar for students beginning as young as Kindergarten and extending through Upper School. Music instructors include members of the music faculty as well as other local music professionals.