Unlock the Music Within
GDS’s music programs go beyond the notes, with opportunities to build confidence, experimentation, and collaboration skills through performance, all while inspiring a lifelong love of music.
Lower/Middle School Music
PK-8th Grades
Our LMS music program lays the foundation for a lifelong love of music while nurturing confident performers, active listeners, and musically literate students. Through classes, assemblies, informal gatherings, and evening performances, students experience the joy and beauty of making music together. They explore rhythm, melody, and harmony through movement, singing, and instrument play—building both creative expression and a strong understanding of musical concepts. Lower School students have weekly music classes in which they gain skills in singing, percussive instruments, and recorders; students in 4th-8th grade have the opportunity to master more refined experiences in specialized time in chorus or band.
High School Music
9th-12th Grades
In High School, students dive into a rich and varied music program with multiple opportunities to perform and grow. With three choral groups and four jazz ensembles, they can explore their talents both as ensemble members and soloists. Through focused study in music theory and literacy—and a dynamic performance schedule—students are challenged to deepen their skills, expand their creativity, and thrive as well-rounded musicians.
Program Highlights
Course Offerings
- Middle School Music Class Core Curriculum for 5th & 6th Grade
- Middle School Chorus - 5th-8th
- Middle School Band - 5th - 8th
- GDS Singers
- Chamber Choir
- TOLV: Advanced Choral Ensemble
- Jazz Improvisation and Creative Music Lab
- Jazz and Creative Music Chamber Ensemble
- Jazz - Large Ensemble
- Jazz - Upper Level
Performances
- October - HS Fall Cabaret
- October - HS ISCF Fall Concert
- October - HS Choralcopia
- December - Choral Extravaganza (4th-12th grade singers)
- December - HS Jazz & Creative Music concert
- January - MS Band Concert
- March - MS Cathedral Treble Choral Festival (4th-6th grade)
- March - MS Choral Festival (7th-8th grade)
- April - HS Spring Cabaret
- April - HS ISCF Spring Concert
- May - HS Spring Choral Concert
- May - HS Jazz & Creative Music concert
- May - MS Chorus Concert
- May - MS Band Concert