Redefining Excellence One Instrument at a Time
When Hackley’s Strategic Plan charged the Performing Arts Department with redefining excellence, the faculty was energized to further raise the level of music instruction and performance. The idea of building for the future through the creative arts inspired Lower School music teacher Heidi Chisholm to consider how to create new music performance opportunities for students, faculty, and staff, and how to elevate music at Hackley.
What was her idea? To develop a partnership with a semi-professional performing ensemble.
Heidi Chisholm, Hackley music teacher
In working to “Promote the Hilltop as a Learning Hub,” Hackley began hosting rehearsals of the St. Thomas Orchestra on campus this past year. The goal was to form a partnership with the orchestra by including Hackley students and employees in the semi-professional group. Currently, three faculty and staff are members of the group and numerous students have been invited to audition to join the group in the fall.
To introduce the orchestral group and the partnership, a Sunday night event was held on April 10 to bring the orchestra and the community together. Hackley students were introduced to the instruments through a uniquely immersive experience. Students heard each instrument played by a professional musician, they touched and held the instruments, and even played them. Seated with the orchestra players, students then had the thrill of hearing iconic works by Beethoven and Copland. It was a completely immersive orchestral experience that captivated the students.
The event also kicked off registration for the Lower School string program, the Middle School band program, and the Music Institute private lesson program. More importantly, it demonstrated our diversity of programming and the unity that exists between the different areas of the Performing Arts Department.
Musical excellence at Hackley is being redefined, one instrument at a time.
