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Music and Performance

Home School Life Music and Performance

For Gray Academy students, arts and creativity are integral to overall learning, Jewish expression and exploration of individual talents and passions. At school, Jewish festivals and educational milestones are celebrated with music and dance. Outside the classroom, students can explore their talents, hone their skills and build lifelong memories through after-school music programs, musical theatre, songwriting and performance.

Band, Drumline and Vocal Ensemble

 

Students in Grades 4 through 12 can learn to play and perform by participating in optional after-school band, drumline programs. Beginners can choose from a range of instruments and learn the fundamentals of playing. Intermediate and advanced groups can take their skills to the next level and perform at events outside school.

For the 2025-26 school year, we are thrilled to welcome a new instructor and new options to complement our traditional offerings, all open to students at no additional cost.

Our traditional programs

  • Beginner Band – for students in Grade 4 and up to learn the basic foundations of music through the instrument of their choice.
  • Intermediate Band – for students in Grade 5 and up with at least one year of experience with an instrument to develop and deepen their skills.
  • Beginner Drumline – an opportunity for students in Grade 4 and up to experience percussion and movement in performing, with drums as the main instrument.
  • Intermediate Drumline – for students in Grade 5 and up with at least one year of drumline experience.
  • Senior Drumline – for students in Grade 7-12 and up with at least two years of drumline experience.

Exciting NEW music opportunities!

  • Rock Ensemble – for students in Grades 6-12 up who are comfortable with one or more instruments and are able to read basic music notes, we are thrilled to offer this new opportunity to jam, dream and gig with peers.
  • Jazz Ensemble – for students in Grades 6-12 and up who can read music and enjoy playing with others, this is a brand-new opportunity to gain exposure to the jazz genre and the beauty of improvisational music.
  • High School Vocal Ensemble – opportunities for students in 7-12 to enjoy singing and learning to use the voice as an instrument. Students will be enjoy learning and performing pop songs, musical theatre, Jewish music and more, along with the beauty of singing in a large group.

All participants have opportunities to perform for classmates, family and friends at our annual school concerts.

Musical Theatre

Gray Academy has a long tradition of staging high-calibre musical productions for the community. In alternating years, musicals are mounted by High School and Elementary. On stage, our students never fail to delight audiences with their impressive singing, dancing and acting talents. Behind the scenes, students play an integral role in set-building, stage management, technical production and more.

Recent performances include:

  • High School Musical – 2025
  • Dr. Dolittle Jr. – 2024
  • Mamma Mia – 2023
  • Schoolhouse Rock – 2022
  • Dear Edwina – 2020

Yom Ha’Atzmaut Song Festival

For nearly five decades, Gray Academy (and Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate before it) has hosted the Yom Ha’Aztmaut Song Festival, a musical competition celebrating Israel and Jewish themes.

Students in Grades 5 through 12 are invited to compose and perform their own original songs before a live audience and panel of judges. Prizes are awarded to top entries in Novice (Grade 5), Junior (Grades 6-8) and Senior (Grades 9-12) categories.

Click here to learn more about the Song Festival and view our retrospective Song Festival Greatest Hits video!

School Life