Music

Bring Your Passion for Music to Life

Want to play some cool riffs, lay down a beat, belt out a tune, or make beautiful harmonies together? Canterbury's Music Department gives you every opportunity to bring your musical creativity to life.

Vocal Music

MAKE YOUR (SINGING) VOICE HEARD

This is your chance to hone your solo vocal skills or learn how to sing tight harmonies in an ensemble. Maybe you would like to lead music at weekly Mass, take the stage in a musical, or just have fun singing with your friends. You will find plenty of vocal performance opportunities during your time on the hilltop.

Instrumental Music

Your PASSION, Our Program

Canterbury’s diverse Instrumental Music program lets you follow and develop your passion for music, from Classical to Contemporary, through a variety of performance opportunities. These include fall, winter, and spring concerts; “pop-up” performances around campus; and off-campus concerts. We also offer a variety of academic music electives.

Vocal Courses

Choral Ensembles

The two main choral ensembles at Canterbury that are featured at concerts throughout the year and at on-campus events such as Parents Weekend, Board of Trustees visits, Grandparents Day, Honors Assemblies, and Sunday Mass. Students from all grades are encouraged to participate in making music together and forging lifelong friendships.

Varsity Voices is Canterbury’s high-level, mixed vocal ensemble, specializing in a cappella and accompanied contemporary and popular music. Explore tight vocal harmonies, complex rhythms, and advanced vocal techniques in this challenging and fast-paced environment. By audition or video submission.

Canterbury Singers is the place where anyone can find their singing voice. This non-auditioned, multilevel, mixed singing ensemble is open to all Canterbury students who have a love of music. Improve your vocal skills and build confidence while exploring multi-part ensemble singing through a variety of styles, including pop, classical, seasonal, musical theatre, and multicultural music.

Solo Opportunities

If you relish the opportunity to challenge yourself further by performing a solo, these activities can help make it happen for you.

Chapel Cantor

The Chapel Cantor is part of the music ministry team. If you have strong musical skills, public speaking ability, and a passion for your faith, you may be asked to be a cantor for weekly Sunday Mass. Working closely with the Director of Liturgical Music and Chapel Organist, you will lead the congregation in lifting their voices to enliven Mass and deepen their expression of faith.

Voice Recitals

Students who take private voice lessons participate in annual studio recitals in the L. Michael Sheehy ’56 Choral Classroom. You will present solo pieces before a full house, followed by food and fellowship with the audience. It is a much-anticipated yearly event enjoyed by members of the singers’ families and friends alike.

CMEA Regional and All-State Honors Choir

All students enrolled in an ensemble are eligible to audition. You will prepare for fall auditions by working on an Italian Art Song, scales, and sight-reading. The Choral Director works with all interested students both as a group and individually to help singers have the opportunity to perform with other singers from the state under the baton of master conductors. It is a great way to make new friends off campus.

Spring Musical

Through rehearsal and performance, you and your fellow student actors practice techniques unique to musical productions, such as singing, dancing, and the art of performance in this genre. Actors are expected to display a disciplined work ethic, teamwork, and personal responsibility as basic requirements for participation. The course culminates with two performances on the Canterbury stage. By audition.

Instrumental Courses

Contemporary Music Band

This is a high-level ensemble composed of a select group of instrumental and vocal students, specializing in music from a broad spectrum of contemporary music styles such as pop, R&B, rock, jazz, and funk. Here, you will prepare music for performance at various concerts and special events throughout the year, both on- and off-campus. You are also given the opportunity to record a digital portfolio in our on- campus recording studio. When selecting pieces for the group, students’ musical experience as well as musical interests are considered. By audition.

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