BE
Musical
Band
Davidson Academy, students have the opportunity to be involved in the band program from Grades 5- 12. The Davidson Academy Band Department includes Concert Band and Pep Band in the Upper School, and the Fifth/Sixth-Grade Band in the Lower School.
Pep Band for football season rehearses during school and performs at varsity football games on Friday nights. During basketball season, the pep band rehearses after school and performs at varsity home basketball games.
Concert Band is a continuing study of instrumental technique beginning in Grades 7-12. This course concentrates on music of all styles and degrees. This literature is used in rehearsal and performance as the medium for constant improvement in intonation, tone quality, dynamics, and phrasing. This band performs a spring concert. The course also supplies students for All Mid-State Band, WKU Honors Band, and Tennessee Tech Festival Bands, as well as others.
Fifth/Sixth Grade Band takes place in the Lower School and acts as a beginner course for band students. In this course students become familiar with their instruments and develop the mechanical skills necessary to proceed with band in the Upper School. They will learn to read music, identify note values, and learn basic music theory concepts.
Vocal Groups
Schola Cantorum
Open to all students in Grades 7-12; rehearsals are during school hours. Students learn proper vocal techniques and how to maintain vocal health. Participants perform literature from all time periods covering many styles with appropriate technique, tone, articulation, and phrasing. Basic to intermediate music theory is also covered and helps students increase their adeptness in sight reading and ability to precisely match fundamental concepts with other chorus members. Students are required to prepare for the MTVA Honor Chorus auditions and will audition, if approved by director Embrey Brannon. Students perform a winter and a spring concert, as well as perform at various events and venues in the community. High-school students will receive one fine arts credit for participation.
Treble Makers
An extracurricular show choir, open to all students in Grades 7-12. Auditions are held in November. Incorporates movement and dance to popular music arranged by the director. The group typically learns a Christmas show to perform for Lower School students and other elementary students in the community, as well as a spring show to compete in various show choir competitions across the Southeast. Rehearsals are after school and meets through March, with peak times being in December and March.
US Chapel Praise Band
An audition, but non-credit, group that leads worship in chapel most weeks. Members consist of: vocals, guitars, keys, and percussion. Rehearsals are as needed. The group is directed by Bob Campbell.
Fifth/Sixth-Grade Chorus
Led by Lower School music/drama teacher Carla Burleson, this group performs in two programs each year, in addition to chapels and special events. Genres include everything from classical to Broadway, and choreography is often included. Students learn fundamentals of singing and performance.
LS Chapel Praise Team
Multiple teams of eight vocalists rotate singing each week, in addition to a guitarist and drummer. Rehearsals are held once a week. In addition to fundamentals of singing, students learn basics of worship leadership with transitions from the reading of the Word, to prayer, to song. Emphasis is given to the responsibility that leadership role brings because it spills over
to peer influence and living by example.
Private Piano & Voice
Private piano and voice instruction are available on campus through Tralena Walker. Mrs. Walker holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. She teaches Suzuki and traditional piano method and classical voice method. She has had piano training with the legendary Suzuki teacher and maestro Mary Craig Powell. She is a Speedway Records recording artist, having recorded two tracks on the album "Thunder Road," which sells at all major NASCAR racetracks. Mrs. Walker has performed the National Anthem at NASCAR events and national audiences on ABC, Fox, NBC and cable networks.
She has taught students at DA since 2003.