Music & Chorus

At The Burlington School, music education begins in preschool and continues through Upper School, helping students build musical skills, confidence, and a love for the arts.

Early Childhood & Lower School

Beginning in PS3, students learn the basic elements of music—melody, rhythm, harmony, tone color, and style—at developmentally appropriate levels. Movement, folk dance, instrument exploration and singing are key components in early grades, helping students understand rhythm and expression. By second grade, students begin exploring music history, composers, and reading rhythms and notation. Lower School students perform as a community at Veterans Day and May Day programs.

Middle School

Middle School students may participate in choir, hand chimes, instrumental music (offered based on interest), or Rock Ensemble.

  • Choir students strengthen vocal technique and learn to sing from sheet music, with opportunities to audition and perform with the Upper School choir.

  • Hand Chimes focuses on rhythm, notation, teamwork, and technique. Students perform at Veterans Day, May Day, and throughout the year for Middle School Meeting and Extended Day students.

  • Piano Lab is an opportunity for students to learn music theory, piano technique, and performance etiquette. Working with partners that become mentors, students practice, polish and perform together. They present a recital at the end of each trimester, which parents and teachers are invited to attend.

  • Rock Ensemble introduces students to collaborative music-making through contemporary styles such as rock, pop, blues, and jazz. Students develop ensemble skills, learn rehearsal and performance techniques, and gain confidence as performers, with opportunities to share their work with the school community throughout the year.

Upper School

Upper School students may choose Choir or Rock Ensemble as arts electives.

  • Choir welcomes students of all experience levels and emphasizes ear training, sight singing, diction, breath control, and ensemble skills, with opportunities for solos and small-group performances.

  • Rock Ensemble brings student musicians together in small groups to perform music from a variety of popular genres, including rock, blues, pop, jazz, and more. Students typically perform three concerts per year, with additional performance opportunities throughout the school and community.