A balanced life explores all facets of a liberal arts education. In addition to our courses, we offer extracurricular ways to explore art and to exercise creativity outside the classroom.
(Full year, Grades 9-12) An a cappella ensemble started by John Hiltonsmith in 1991, Beg To Differ® has roots in doo-wop and barbershop vocal harmony and has branched into more contemporary a cappella styles and approaches. Students have opportunities to perform several times during the year, usually by request, at off-campus events. Auditions are required.
(Extracurricular, Grades 7-12) The MUS Drumline was founded in 2014 by alumnus Ahmed Latif ’15. Under the direction of Instructor in Music Bryan Scott, students learn drum fundamentals and perform at several athletic events during the year.
(Extracurricular, Grades 7-12) Individual lessons can be scheduled with qualified faculty or with local Memphis instructors. Lessons are most commonly in guitar, piano, and voice. Instruction in other instruments, music theory, and improvisation may also be available, depending on the schedules of the instructors.
Music Theory I: Basic Theory (One semester, Grades 11-12) - This course takes students from basic theory of notes, staves, clefs, etc., through seventh chords and the beginnings of advanced music theory. It is a prerequisite for all other music theory courses, including AP Music Theory.
Music Theory II: Functional Theory (One semester, Grades 11-12) - This coursefocuses on introducing students to the most common aspects of music theory regularly used by professional musicians. It guides students through chord extensions, chord substitutions, number systems, basic arranging, and major and minor modes, among other topics. Students must have successfully completed Music Theory I, or passed a proficiency exam to register for this class.
Advanced Placement Music Theory (Full year, Grades 11-12) - This course is a study of musicianship, musical materials and procedures, and how and why music sounds the way it does. Students learn to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. They develop their aural and sight‐singing skills through listening and performance exercises and their written and compositional skills through writing and creative exercises. This course prepares students for the AP examination.
Orchestra is open to all woodwind, brass, percussion, and string players. This ensemble focuses on the foundational elements of music, including note and rhythm reading, improving playing technique, and ensemble playing. Sections of the orchestra also break out to form a string ensemble and a concert/jazz band. Students meet two times per week in this half-credit course. Guitar, electric bass, piano, and beginning-level players may join with permission of the instructor.
(Extracurricular, Grades 7-12) Pep Band, which provides music at athletic events, is a student-run organization facilitated by Mr. Chris Piecuch and Mr. Bryan Scott.
(Full year, Grades 9-12) In Jazz Band or Studio Band, the jazz or rock/pop-style ensembles focus on learning, practicing, and performing music as though in a professional studio environment. Students learn about style, technique, differences in genre, and ensemble dynamics. Auditions are required.
(Full year, Grades 9-12) This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the process of modern recording. Students learn about the recording industry from its early stages up through the present. Topics include signal paths, microphone types and placements, analog recording, and digital recording, editing, mixing, and general production.
(One semester, Grades 11-12) This is an introductory course in public speaking that stresses the organization and presentation of speeches in a variety of settings. Students completing this course are able to incorporate public speaking into situations they will face in their personal and professional lives.
(Extracurricular, all Grades 7-12) Theater offers students an excellent outlet for self-expression and development. We produce at least two shows each year – one comedy or drama and one musical. Musicals frequently compete in local or regional competitions, where students have received top honors for set design, acting, ensemble performance, and overall production, among others. Auditions are open to all MUS students and female students from local schools. There are opportunities to participate in all areas of theater, including acting, singing, dancing, directing, writing, public relations, lighting and sound design, stagecraft, and stage management. Seniors may direct a play, which is added to the regular season. For consideration, seniors must pass an interview and proposal process conducted by the director of theater.
(One or two semesters, Grades 9-12) A hands-on experience in the technical production of plays and musicals, this course expands students’ understanding and appreciation of the dramatic arts through practical exercises and script analysis. Projects in lighting, sound, and scenic design offer an introduction to enduring design principles through immersion in multiple aspects of stagecraft.
Latin Music Concert: Oct. 22
Music from Cuba, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Spain will enliven the Dining Hall as the MUS band and orchestra groups perform their first concert of the year October 22 at 7 p.m.
Talented musicians from the Class of 2024 performed in the inaugural senior recital April 21 in Hyde Chapel. The concert featured solo performances by Joel Lim on oboe, Dannie Dong on piano, and Gabe Chen on violin.
Seniors, from left, Eshaan Patnaik (clarinet), Alan Zhou (flute), and Joel Lim (oboe) competed recently in the Tennessee Bandmasters Association Solo and Ensemble Competition. They won the ensemble portion qualifying to represent MUS and the West Tennessee District for the Tennessee Bandmasters Association Honors Recital at the Tennessee Music Education Association All-State Conference April 10-13.
Twenty-eight musicians earned chairs in All-West Tennessee bands and orchestras, and five received alternate status. In addition, a record 12 students qualified for All-State honors, six in orchestra and six in band.
The West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, an affiliate of the National Association for Music Education, hosted auditions for bands January 13 and orchestras November 18. During the weekend of February 8-10, students receiving All-West honors will attend a clinic at the Memphis Convention Center and perform in a concert at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.
Congratulations to all Owl musicians who auditioned for the All-West Tennessee Orchestras. They performed difficult musical excerpts, scales, and were required to sightread in front of a judge who is a professional musician and/or teacher.
Upper School and Lower School students interested in participating in the MUS Theater Company’s fall musical, Mamma Mia!, should head to Hyde Chapel May 8, 10, and 11 for auditions and tech interviews. Theater Assistant Director Ted Fockler ’10, Instructor in Music Matt Tutor ’91, and Theater Technical Director Robert Fudge welcome potential actors, actresses, designers, and crew members.
Instructor in Instrumental Music and Director of Band and Orchestra Programs Chris Piecuch has been named the University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music Educator of the Year. He will receive the award in an April 26 ceremony in the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center.
Freshman Miles McCarroll won the schoolwide English-Speaking Union Shakespeare Competition January 27 by performing an excerpt from Henry IV, Part 2, Act 5, Scene 5. Sophomore Amrik Chakravarty placed second with a performance as Nick Bottom from Act 4, Scene 1 of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Five Owls earned honors in the Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards for work they produced during the first semester. See their work HERE.
Andrew Xu ’23 entered an illustration titled “Poli Sci,” which earned a Gold Key. Xu’s art will be on display at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, and it will be sent to New York for national judging.
Congratulations to all Owl musicians who auditioned for the All-West Tennessee Orchestras. They performed difficult musical excerpts and scales, and were required to sightread in front of a judge who is a professional musician and/or teacher.
A clarinet concert in Hyde Chapel November 16 was the culmination of a residency with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra clarinet quartet. President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Abell introduced the program, saying, “Music provides the soundtrack to your life as you live it.”
Juniors Dannie Dong (percussion) and Joel Lim (oboe) were selected for the All-National Honor Ensembles, sponsored by the National Association for Music Education.
Congratulations to seventh grader Gus Williams for his second-place win in the grade-level BRACE awards at Briarcrest with “Psychadillo,” created in Mrs. Laura Beck’s Art 7 class.
As MUS highlighted Hispanic heritage this month with a chapel guest from Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group, artists in Mrs. Laura Beck’s seventh grade classes created Día de los Muertos posters. While working on their pieces, Owls studied Hispanic heritage as well as color therapy, symmetry, and Zentangles.
Instructor in Art Laura Beck is hosting a pumpkin carving contest! Students can enter by submitting a photo of their creation by October 27. The artist must be in the photo with his pumpkin.
Art and Star Wars clubs hosted a Star Wars themed art contest last month. The winners, announced in assembly Wednesday, May 4, were junior Charlie Gallop and seventh grader Clay Patterson.
A record 28 musicians earned chairs in All-West Tennessee bands and orchestras, and another two received alternate status. This surpasses last year’s record of 25 musicians and three alternates. Additionally, eight students qualified for All-State honors.