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Explore our Curriculum

MS Music

NCS offers Middle School students opportunities to develop musical skill through participation in coordinate choral and instrumental ensembles, such as Coordinate Chorus, Orchestra, and Cathedral Choristers. Students explore a wide variety of repertoire and music curricula and perform throughout the year as part of concerts, services, and special events at Washington National Cathedral, across the DC metro area, and at adjudication festivals.

  • Cathedral Choristers MS

    The Cathedral Choristers are an auditioned choir of 20 girls drawn from grades 7 through 12. The normal route of entry into the choir is through the novice chorister program, which begins in grade 6 from both within and without the NCS community. The choristers rehearse first period each morning during the academic year and sing two to four services a week at the Cathedral, some as part of the The Washington National Choir of Men and Girls. The girls are also involved in occasional singing engagements both in the area and away.

  • MS Chorus

    MS Chorus is a choral ensemble in which singers develop healthy vocal technique and ensemble skills through the exploration of a wide variety of repertoire and styles. The chorus collaborates with Form I & II singers from St. Albans at various points during the year. Annual performance opportunities include fall and spring concerts, the Independent Middle School Choral Festival, the NCS-STA Service of Lessons and Carols, an adjudication trip, and various cathedral and chapel services and other occasions. In addition to the performance repertoire, students develop their individual musicianship skills. 

  • MS Orchestra

    This year-long course emphasizes the fundamentals of ensemble playing through weekly rehearsals. The Orchestra is coordinate with St. Albans and offers performances throughout the year, often in conjunction with other musical groups. Members must be able to demonstrate basic capability on an instrument in order to join and should concurrently be taking private instrumental lessons, either through the school or independently.

  • Whitechapel Guild MS

    This yearlong course introduces 8th-graders to the art and science of English “change ringing.” Students are taught the basics of ringing (or “handling”) on the large English change ringing bells hanging in the Cathedral’s central tower. In addition, they are introduced to simple change ringing theory using handbells. By fourth quarter, students start to ring as a group and may be able to join Upper School members of the Guild in simple change ringing before the end of the school year.

Department Faculty

  • Photo of A. Scott Wood
    A. Scott Wood
    Director of Instrumental Music & Music Department Chair
    202-537-2205
    Bio
  • Photo of Julie DeBoer
    Julie DeBoer
    Chorister Program Director
  • Photo of Melissa Richardson
    Melissa Richardson
    Director of Choral Music, Middle School
    202-537-6336
  • Photo of Quilla Roth
    Quilla Roth
    Whitechapel Guild Coordinator
    202-537-8986
3612 Woodley Road NW Washington, DC 20016 202.537.6300