Performing Arts

The USJ Junior Bruin Choir is made up of 5th grade students who audition for the opportunity to be a part of the choir.  Once selected they rehearse once a week, prior to school starting.  Since the choir originated in 2015, they have been invited annually, by the Memphis Grizzlies, to perform the National Anthem. The students look forward to performing at the Memphis Grizzlies game every year!

"This is a great stepping stone to middle school choir, where their knowledge of music will continue to grow," said Elizabeth Atkins.  "It also enhances the students' talents and passion for music with the goal of continuing that passion throughout their middle and upper school career."
 

Future stars on the Middle and Upper School stage are nurtured in Lower School. Beginning with Jr. Kindergarten. Every Lower School grade performs a musical to the delight of families and friends. These musicals are directed and produced by the Lower School Music teachers. 

"The benefits to the young performer range from developing a love of singing and public speaking skills to building self-confidence," says music teacher Leslie Scott. “For the youngest children, being in a grade level musical develops a love of singing, movement, and pretending, which all come naturally to children this age.”

During “musical time,” students gain self-confidence and pride in performing. Students also learn theatrical terminology like “blocking,” how to read musical notation such as “first ending,” dynamics, and other music theory terms that they will continue to use once they complete their Lower School education.

“As the students get more experience, they begin to learn the importance of how each role contributes to the whole production,” explained Elizabeth Atkins, long time lower school music teacher here at USJ. 

“Most importantly, being in these productions fosters a child's self-confidence, which builds on each previous year. Leslie and I have both seen this happen and discuss it frequently … how two years ago, a particular student was reluctant to even be a participant in the musical, and how this year, they want a large speaking part or a solo."

Many students go on to shine in Middle School musical productions — perhaps due in part to their Lower School music experiences on our stage. 

Every year, the Lower School Music teachers choreograph two dances to songs that are both classic and current hits. After a month of practice, the students perform during halftime at one of the Upper School football games. This has become a fun tradition where students learn musicality, formations and how to work together as a group. 

The band program at USJ continuously strives to produce well-seasoned musicians. Nearly every senior who leaves the program is offered some type of college scholarship for band. The program sets the standard for excellence as it consistently has students selected to the All-Northwest Honor Band each year. Band members also have opportunities to perform on campus in jazz bands and concert bands.

In middle school band, we introduce new students to the various instruments so they can choose what they want to play. “It is all about exposing them to the instruments in the first week and encouraging them not just to play what their friends play,” said Tom Grant, who has been teaching band for more than 30 years.

USJ's 6th grade music program exposes students to basic music skills with emphasis on music elements such as music theory, music and rhythmic composition, and music history, including the study of musical styles. Students are taught to play the recorder as a pre-band instrument.  

The 7th grade music curriculum focuses on music, media and technology as students explore the ways music is used as a communications tool to help deliver a variety of messages.  

Our 8th grade music curriculum incorporates the playing of the Ukulele.  With ukulele as a fundamental instrument, students can springboard their musical education from the very beginning, encouraging our young students to become enthusiastic learners and proud musicians. 

The Performing Arts at USJ is known for its show stopping productions given by our Middle School and 9th grade students. "We try to perform two middle school musicals a year, giving the students an opportunity to be in multiple productions, or to give our student athletes the opportunity to play sports and participate in the arts,” said Dr. Tammy Grant, musical theatre director for the past 25 years.

USJ has had the privilege of doing a trial run of band parts for Music Theatre International, one of the largest theatrical publishing companies.  “These trials have afforded our students the opportunity to work with the arrangers as they prepare music for student instrumentalists,” said Dr. Grant.  The cast gets to work with a live orchestra, which is an experience they usually don’t receive until they get to the upper school.  Band Director Tom Grant states how “it offers the band students an invaluable hands-on experience into creating a soundtrack for a musical. They have a personal investment in their side of the production. No other school does this.”

USJ’s theatre program starts with our middle school students. Here they will get the opportunity to perform in at least one play per year.  Students will focus on basic elements of theatre including proper audition etiquette, basic stage directions and acting terminology.

According to the American Alliance for Theatre & Education, activities in the theatre will improve a child's reading comprehension, along with verbal and non-verbal communication. "For many students, being themselves around their peers is difficult.  The stage gives these kids a chance to come alive, be someone else and be confident in that character," said Erica Davidson, theatre director. 

The band program at USJ continuously strives to produce well-seasoned musicians. Nearly every senior who leaves the program is offered some type of college scholarship for band. The program sets the standard for excellence as it consistently has students selected to the All-Northwest Honor Band each year. Band members also have opportunities to perform on campus in jazz bands and concert bands.

“It is all about exposing them to the instruments in the first week and encouraging them not just to play what their friends play,” said Tom Grant, who has been teaching band for more than 30 years.

Students who take part in our choral department are given numerous opportunities to excel in the world of chorus. They have performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, been selected to The National Association for Music Education All-National Honor Ensembles, taken place in The Quad State Honor Choir Festival and University of Tennessee at Martin Honor Choir Festival, performed with the Jackson Symphony and much more. 

Several choral students are also regularly selected to the Tennessee All Northwest Honor Choir and the Tennessee All State Choir each year. The USJ Concert Choir is highly competitive as Upper School Choir teacher Dian Eddleman expounds upon each student’s musical talents.  “Our students are prepared for performances of all types – from the local stage to the national arena,” said Eddleman.  As William Ward, an American Motivational Writer, states, “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”   This is what Dian Eddleman does every day in class.

The Fine Arts department at USJ is known for its show stopping productions given by our Upper School students. Several Upper School musicals and students have been nominated for the Orpheum’s High School Musical Theatre Awards, which is part of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards program including 30 programs from across the United States.  Some of the accolades won were Best Supporting Actor and Best Special Effect. 

Aside from performance opportunities, students are also able to take on the responsibilities of set design, choreography, and other activities required for a production. Upper School students are also heavily involved in assisting our Middle School students with their productions. Whether its choreography or backstage supervision, Upper School students gain knowledge of the working parts of a musical aside from performance. Through this, Middle School students are given the opportunity to connect with and learn from those older than them. When involved in a USJ musical, each student experiences firsthand the process of putting on a show from beginning to end.

USJ’s theatre program is both challenging and rewarding in its curriculum. Each year, Middle and Upper School students have the opportunity to perform in multiple productions. Whether a student is learning about the history of theater in the classroom or acting on stage, they will become well-rounded in all aspects of our program. As our students grow in their knowledge, they are then able to take advanced

classes in which they are instructed on script analysis, scene study, and explore the relationship between visual elements such as design and directing.

The theatre department at USJ is very proud of the work they do in the community.  Students, along with the theatre director, Erica Davidson, have written plays for local organizations as an avenue to raise awareness and money.  “Theatre is a beautiful way to learn about life, and to express oneself creatively,” said Davidson.  “Even in my classes, I know I might not have a student who will go on to act professionally, but if they have a better appreciation for the talent and hard work it takes to put on a production then I’ve done my job.”