Instrumental Music

Whether giving wings to a new musical interest or furthering their repertoire of musical skills, instrumental musicians have many opportunities to share their talents and passions with the EHS community.

Classically trained cellists, jazz-inspired drummers, rock guitarists, and bluegrass fiddlers all find a home in which to study, explore, and perform. Students have numerous opportunities to work with professional instrumentalists in master-class settings, as well as to pursue private study on the instrument of their choice. There is rarely a moment without music on the EHS campus.

Episcopal’s extensive recording and popular music program gives students from all musical backgrounds a chance to study their favorite genres of music. EHS students have written songs; scored films; produced records; remixed songs from popular bands, such as Radiohead; and organized campus-wide concerts. The curriculum is based on three key points: analysis of popular works and the process that goes into creating them; hands-on experience in the state-of-the-art digital recording studio and extensive lab spaces; and careful study of the theory and science behind creating, documenting, and distributing music. Arts classes in recording technology, songwriting, guitar, popular music history, music business, and music theory are taught by faculty members with ample practical experience in their field.

OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:

Full orchestra for strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion
Jazz Band
Student-run "garage-bands"
Private study on all instruments
Guitar class
Recording and songwriting classes
Study of American popular music
On-campus coffee houses and open-mic concerts, as well as opportunities to perform in chapel and community meetings
Extracurricular options
Visiting professional musicians from all genres
Attendance at performances at the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, Birchmere, Blues Alley, and the 9:30 Club, among many others

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