Equipping young artists with opportunities for individual expression within a tight-knit community of musicians.
WHY OAK HALL
MUSICMusic at Oak Hall takes a modern approach to music education putting the emphasis on the individual musician and teaching them how to work within any size ensemble. This trajectory provides our students with real-world situations and experiences that can be applied after graduating from our halls.
We do this through:
- Small ensemble chamber concerts and large orchestral/band performances
- Arts Conservatory music recitals
- Specialty and honors ensembles that focus on specific styles or instrumentation
- Inclusion of any instrument or level of experience into our main performance groups
Cofrin Arts Center
The music department is centrally located within the Cofrin Arts Center, a premier facility featuring four dedicated performance and rehearsal spaces and a professional art gallery. More than just a teaching facility, this space serves as the heart of our music community, providing a collaborative environment where students connect, create, and share their passion for music outside of regular class hours.
Custom Arranged Music
All of our music is thoughtfully arranged for each individual performer by our directors and students. Student arrangers are regularly featured in concerts and recitals, showcasing their creativity and technical skill. They are trained in Dorico, the industry-standard composition software, and work collaboratively with directors and peers to produce polished, performance-ready scores. For students eager to deepen their understanding of music theory, we offer a yearlong AP Music Theory course. This comprehensive class equips aspiring composers and arrangers with a strong foundation in melody, harmony, and musical structure. Graduating seniors who complete the course are eligible to be featured in a special end-of-year concert celebrating their accomplishments.
Multiple Music Styles
Our program emphasizes a comprehensive exploration of diverse musical styles, ensuring students develop the versatility and confidence required to excel in any ensemble. This eclectic approach is reflected in our performances, which regularly feature an expansive repertoire ranging from classical orchestral works and jazz to global music, pop, and musical theater.
Global Music Concert
Every year, our music department hosts a global music concert in the spring focusing on a region or culture. In addition, Oak Hall houses a nationally renowned Taiko Ensemble, Tsubasa!
Tsubasa! is a taiko fusion ensemble under the direction of Jason Stahl. Participants include Middle and Upper School students, non-music faculty members, and administrators who meet voluntarily twice a week after school. This group explores the music of East Asia by mixing traditional rhythms and instruments with contemporary styles. In 2014, Tsubasa! was one of four school ensembles selected to perform in front of thousands of educators at the National Association of Independent Schools Conference and has been invited to play at music conferences throughout Florida.
Musical Performances
Our concerts feature students from varied grade levels playing all kinds of instruments, such as winds, voice, strings, guitars, drums, and more. On average, our music department performs over 200 pieces of music a year! From recitals, pit orchestras, traditional end-of-year concerts, and shows at Universal or Disney, our program provides opportunities for our students to use their talents and showcase their achievements with family and friends. With our advanced course options, students are empowered to compose original pieces and perform them in student-led concerts and recitals.