Music

The Walnut Hill Music Department is the only high school program linking a major conservatory, New England Conservatory (NEC), with an independent school. This partnership engages students in a diverse and comprehensive music curriculum delivered at both Walnut Hill and NEC. Students can major in an orchestral instrument, piano, voice, composition, or jazz. The curriculum is enhanced by innovative performance projects, master classes by dynamic guest artists, and the thoughtful integration of contemporary topics such as entrepreneurship and civic engagement. Walnut Hill’s proximity to Boston allows students to attend a wide variety of concerts by major ensembles and soloists at the city's world-class concert halls. Our program—offered within an inspiring and creative community—prepares graduates to thrive in a conservatory, university, or college setting.

Learn more about our four programs in Music.

Classical Instrumental

Composition

Jazz

Voice

Courses in Music

CHAMBER MUSIC

Chamber Music plays a central role in our on-campus Music Major for classical instrumentalists. Through the study of repertoire from the 18th Century to the present, students learn crucial skills including score study; rehearsal techniques; non-verbal communication; group dynamics; and expressivity and interpretation. Our students participate in at least one chamber ensemble for all or most of the semesters they attend Walnut Hill. Chamber music at Walnut Hill includes weekly coachings, regular independent rehearsals, masterclasses, and performance opportunities both on and off-campus.

COMPOSITION FOR NON-MAJORS

Composition for Non-Majors is a one-semester course designed for music students with little to no previous experience in writing music down on paper. The class is exposed to music of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and representative styles. Issues of notation, writing for specific instruments and developing a musical idea are covered. This project-based class culminates in students writing music for their classmates and having it performed by the end of the semester.

COMPOSITION SEMINAR

Composition majors and other advanced composition students are exposed to some of the major influences in contemporary music through detailed analysis of scores and representative styles of music. This course includes in-class composition projects and readings; once-a-year readings of student works by a professional ensemble; and a study of instrumentation and orchestration. All of these elements are designed to motivate and inspire students to write their own music and to acquire the technical means to express themselves. Composition students’ works are presented in concerts at Walnut Hill three times a year. Required for all composition majors.

DEPARTMENTAL MASTERCLASS

DICTION FOR SINGERS

EAR-TRAINING

FORM AND ANALYSIS

Form and Analysis is a one-semester required course that follows Music Theory II. Students in this class study the major forms of Western music including binary, ternary, rondo, sonata, variations, rondo variations and sonata rondo forms. Detailed analysis of representative works at the phrase and sectional levels and long-range harmonic goals of the composer are studied.

JANUARY PROJECT

During the time between winter break and the beginning of second semester, the Music Department collaborates on an annual community-wide project focusing on the in-depth study and performance of a major work. All music students and many faculty participate in this process-oriented exploration, culminating in a performance at an all-school assembly in late January. Regular arts classes are suspended to allow the Music Department to focus on the project in depth. In addition to rehearsals, activities include topical workshops, field trips, masterclasses, presentations by outside speakers, and more.

JAZZ ENSEMBLE

This small jazz combo includes a drummer, a bassist (electric and/or acoustic), one or two chordal instruments (piano or/and guitar), and any number of melodic instruments (woodwinds-including free reeds, brass, voice, and pitched percussion). The coach will play with the ensemble and act as its arranger. Repertoire consists of a variety of jazz and related music styles from many different eras of history from the 1920s to the present. The pieces will include improvisation, accompaniment and articulation styles appropriate to the pieces that differentiate the musical language of the repertoire. Each semester concludes with a public performance on or off campus. Concert recordings will be reviewed in class. All Jazz Majors participate in the Jazz Ensemble. For non-majors who wish to participate, private jazz instruction is required to help work on the pieces. This two-hour class meets twice per week.

MUSIC HISTORY

Music History is a one-year course required of all Seniors. This course sees music as an essential form of expression across cultures and historical periods. While the main focus of the course is Western music and its social contexts, it also explores musical traditions from the students’ countries of origin. Course content includes listening, discussion, score analysis, and practice in writing about music.

MUSIC THEORY I & II

Music Theory I:

Music Theory I is a yearlong course that begins with a review of fundamentals and covers beginning counterpoint and an introduction to four-part harmony. Students also learn to appropriately harmonize bass and soprano lines. This course is taken in conjunction with Ear-Training and Solfege. Prerequisite: “C “or better in Fundamentals of Music, or through the placement process.

Music Theory II:

Music Theory II is a yearlong course continuing the study of species counterpoint in two voices; four-part diatonic harmony; melodic and rhythmic figuration; harmonic analysis of all chromatic chords, and an introduction to form in tonal music. This course is taken in conjunction with Ear-Training and Solfege. Prerequisite: A grade of “C “or better in Theory 1, or through the placement process.

SOLFÈGE

Solfège classes meet once a week and are required for many music students enrolled in music theory courses. Placement into an appropriate class is determined by a test given to new students at the beginning of the year, or a returning student’s work in the previous year. Some students test out of solfege. Students use fixed-do solfege syllables to sight-sing and prepare melodies, rhythms and clef exercises from the Dannhauser and Weber books each and every week.

VOICE MASTER CLASS

Weekly class for Voice Majors in the traditional master class format. Students perform and receive constructive feedback regarding musicality, phrasing, dramatic presentation, artistry, musical style, performance practice and technical challenges. Each singer performs at least twice per semester to prepare and improve pieces being presented in recital performances and auditions. Lead teacher for this class is Head of Voice, Teresa Winner Blume. Guest teaching artists include professional opera singers as well as faculty from top music conservatories.

VOICE REPERTOIRE

Voice Repertoire meets weekly to study classical vocal music from the Baroque through contemporary art song. Students also learn language translation skills through online resources and the vast music library at New England Conservatory. In addition, students have the opportunity to rehearse their recital songs with piano in preparation for the fall Voice Department Recital. In the spring semester, students rehearse for the opera and recitals and learn to prepare a printed concert program.

VOICE SKILLS

This weekly voice and opera workshop class explores a wide range of skills essential to students of singing. The class is led by Head of Voice, Teresa Winner Blume, along with a number of guest teaching artists who are experts in their fields. In past years, we have covered topics such as Acting and Song Text Interpretation; Acting through Language and Improvisation; Poetic Analysis; Vocal Anatomy and Pedagogy; Theater Tech: Costume Design Concepts and History; Movement and Alignment for Singers; Spatial Awareness and Moving Through Music; Stage Combat; Important Documents: Résumés, Cover Letters, and Repertoire Lists; and more.

Types of Gifts

Annual Gifts

Our fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. Annual gifts, both unrestricted and restricted, provide essential current-use funds.

Leadership Gifts

Annual Fund gifts of $1,000 or more paid in a single fiscal year, or gifts of $25,000 or more paid over 5 years are considered leadership gifts. Gifts may be restricted by donors in accordance with the gift acceptance policies of the school.

Planned Gifts

A Planned Gift is a donation from your assets instead of cash. With it you can create a meaningful philanthropic legacy through a bequest, beneficiary designation, trust, or annuity, while gaining tax benefits and/or life income.

Endowed Gifts

An endowed gift is a long-term investment in Walnut Hill. The minimum gift to create an endowed fund is $50,000. Funds may be restricted by donors in accordance with the gift acceptance policies of the school.

Memorial & Honorary Gifts

Making a memorial or honorary gift is a meaningful way to both recognize an individual's importance to you and to support Walnut Hill. These special contributions could acknowledge a birthday, special achievement, or milestone.

Gifts-In-Kind

Walnut Hill does accept select gifts-in-kind. Good condition Steinway pianos, new building materials, art supplies, among other items and services are welcomed.

Types of Gifts

Annual Gifts

Our fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. Annual gifts, both unrestricted and restricted, provide essential current-use funds.

Leadership Gifts

Planned Gifts

Endowed Gifts

Memorial & Honorary Gifts

Gifts-In-Kind

Walnut Hill does accept select gifts-in-kind. Good condition Steinway pianos, new building materials, art supplies, among other items and services are welcomed.

Student Work

Chamber Music: Shostakovich Trio

Walnut Hill Jazz Ensemble

Opera: Dido and Aeneas

Points of Pride

Recent Accolades

2022 Boston Symphony Concerto Competition
Jinyoung Kweon ’23, Piano, 1st Place
Keila Wakao ’24, Violin, 2nd Place

2023 Boston Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition
Ye Sol "Joanna" Yi '23, Bassoon, 1st Place
Saehyun Kim '24, Piano, 2nd place

2023 Penn State University Ballora-Wang Young Composers Award
Ravi Nguyen ‘23, Composer

2023 National Pathways Festival Orchestra for musicians of color
Alex Aranzabal ‘23, Cello

2023 New England Conservatory Preparatory School Concerto Competition
Saehyun Kim ‘24, Piano, First Place
Jiyu Oh ‘25, Violin, Second Place

Classicalia International Piano Competition
Andrew Sijie Li ’25, Finalist

CS Music Vocal Competition—National Audience Choice Round
Fangzhen "Angelina" Wang ’22, 1st Place, Classical High School Division

CS Music Vocal Competition—Classical High School Division 1
Leping "Clark" Xiong ’23, National Finalist

2022 Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition
Jinyoung Kweon ’23, Piano, Second Prize

German Flute Society Young Flutists Competition
Xiaoyu "Helen" Chen ’25, 3rd Prize (tie), Age Group 2

2022 Morningside Music Bridge Concerto Competition at New England Conservatory
Saehyun Kim ’24, Piano, First Prize

Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Composition Competition
Qianyu "Yuki" Huang ’22, Massachusetts State Winner

National Youth Orchestra at Carnegie Hall
Alex Aranzabal ’23, Cello

National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS)
National Winner:
Fangzhen "Angelina" Wang ’22, 1st Place, High School Classical Treble
New England Regional Winners:
Fangzhen "Angelina" Wang ’22, 1st Place (tie), Upper High School Treble
Kate Li ’23, Soprano, 3rd Place, Upper High School Treble
Leping "Clark" Xiong ’23, Tenor, 1st Place, Upper High School Tenor/Baritone/Bass
Samuel D’Amico ’22, Baritone, 2nd Place, Upper High School Tenor/Baritone/Bass
Riley Musi ’23, Finalist, Upper High School Treble
Katie Clifford ’22, Finalist, Upper High School Treble

National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS)—Boston Competition
Riley Musi ’23, 2nd Place

New England Conservatory Preparatory School Concerto Competition
Saehyun Kim ’24, Piano, Winner, Category B

A. Ramon Rivera Piano Competition at the Rivers Conservatory
Jiarui "Gary" Zhou ’22, Piano, 2nd Prize and Bach Prize

Schmidt Vocal Arts Competition—Massachusetts Region
Kate Li ’23, Winner

Schmidt Vocal Arts Competition—National
Kate Li ’23, Finalist and Encouragement Award Winner

Sendai International Music Competition of Japan
Saehyun Kim ’24, Piano, Semifinalist

University of Massachusetts Young Artist Awards—Upper High School
Fangzhen "Angelina" Wang ’22, 1st Place
Leping "Clark" Xiong ’22, 2nd Place
Riley Musi ’23, 3rd Place

Yamaha USASU Junior International Piano Competition
Seokyoung Hong '25, First Prize
Andrew Li '25, Second Prize

2023 Yamaha Rising Pianists Concert (Tokyo, Japan)
Saehyun Kim ‘24, piano

Matriculation

Walnut Hill music students matriculate to some of the best colleges and conservatories in the world including:

Berklee College of Music — Boston University — Cleveland Institute of Music — Colburn School of Music — Columbia University — Curtis Institute of Music — Eastman School of Music — Harvard University — Indiana University — Johns Hopkins University — The Juilliard School — Manhattan School of Music — Mannes College of Music — McGill University — New England Conservatory — Oberlin College and Conservatory — Northwestern University — Peabody Conservatory — Rice University — Royal Academy of Music — Royal College of Music — Smith College — Vanderbilt University — Yale University

Notable Alumni

Benny Ibarra '89

Blake Hinson '06

Carolyn Sproule '06

David Requiro '03

George Li '13

Hae Sun Paik '83

Kee-Hyun Kim '01

Mei-Ann Chen '91

Melissa Reardon '96

Michael Maccaferri '91

Ralph Farris '89

Thomas Mesa '08

Samantha Hankey '11

Evren Ozel '17

After their studies are complete they also go on to make meaningful contributions as musicians and educators and in a variety of other fields. Click on a picture above for a sampling of some of the exciting things our alumni have gone on to do. For more news from our alumni, visit our Class Notes page.

Music Faculty

Teresa Blume

Head of the Voice Program, Voice Teacher, Classical and Musical Theater; Opera Director

Whitman Brown

Music Teacher

Jennifer Elowitch

Director of Music

Laura Thielke

Director of Chamber Music

Matthew Anderson

Secondary Lesson Instructor

Jung Bang

Collaborative Pianist & Music Faculty

Gina Beck

Secondary Lesson Instructor

Lisa Caliri

Secondary Lesson Instructor

William Cooper

Music Teacher

Mary O'Keefe

Music Department Assistant

Zipporah Peddle

Adjunct Voice Instructor

Hannah Shields

Secondary Lesson Instructor, Chamber Music Coach

Doina Simovici

Secondary Lesson Instructor

Elaine Smith-Purcell

Voice Teacher

David Zoffer

Music Teacher

Steps to Apply

Complete the Inquiry Form

Complete an Application

Our application process is structured to help us get to know you as a whole person and evaluate your readiness for curriculum in arts, academics and as a community member. Applying to Walnut Hill will allow you the opportunity to explore our programs by meeting educators and artists to see for yourself if we are the right place for you. Please be aware that you are able to apply for more than one arts focus if applicable but that you can only choose one arts major once enrolled at Walnut Hill.

You will find our preferred application on Veracross. In addition to submitting an application, each applicant must complete an audition or portfolio review depending on what artistic focus you are interested in applying. Please visit the audition section of our website here for more information about this.

To begin the application process, please submit an inquiry and Veracross, our application portal, will email you to create an account.

Our application requires biographical information, a student questionnaire, and a parent questionnaire. Applicants are asked to submit one academic teacher recommendation of the student's choice and one arts recommendation of the student's choice. We also require an official transcript containing three years worth of academic grades.

We recommended that applicants request these documents directly from their online application.

If you prefer to send a PDF version, please use the links below and send them to the Admission office.

Transcript Request Form
Academic Teacher Recommendation
Arts Instructor Recommendation

Any student currently in a home-school environment is required to submit Standardized Test Results (SSAT) along with the supplement below.

Home-School Supplement

Application Fees:

The application fee is $72 for U.S. citizens and $107 for international applicants. Fees are required to submit an online application and can be paid directly through Veracross.

Fee waivers are available upon request by emailing the Director of Enrollment Management, Kevin Smith at ksmith@walnuthillarts.org.

If you have specific questions about your application, please be in touch with the Admission Office at 508.650.5020 or admissions@walnuthillarts.org.

Schedule an Audition or Portfolio Review

Schedule an Interview

Once an online application is submitted, Walnut Hill requires each applicant to interview with their assigned admission representative. Find your Admission representative below:

Kevin Smith

Director of Enrollment Management

https://calendly.com/kevinsmithwalnuthill

Andrew Houlihan

Associate Director of Admission, 11th Grade, 12th Grade, and Post-Graduate Applicants

https://Calendly.com/houlihan

Amanda Leshowitz

Assistant Director of Admission, 9th Grade Applicants

https://calendly.com/aleshowitz

Jillian Rothman

Assistant Director of Admission, 10th Grade Applicants

https://calendly.com/jillian_rothman

Music

Still Accepting Applications for Fall 2023!

Limited Spaces in Certain Majors Remaining.

Summer of the Arts