Performing Arts
Germantown Academy's performing arts department provides a foundation in music, drama, theatrical design, and public speaking to all students in Prekindergarten through 12th grade. We provide a curriculum that promotes imagination and aesthetics, an understanding of oneself and others, and clear communication. Our faculty models high standards of performance along with a spirit of kindness and cooperation. We prepare students to continue in the performing arts in college and beyond, whether as a vocation or a personal passion.
UPPER SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS
Germantown Academy offers students a wide range of opportunities in the Performing Arts. Students interested in choral music participate in the Singing Patriots, while students with a pronounced interest and talent in voice may audition to join Singing Patriots Select. String instrument performance is offered through membership in the Academy String Orchestra as well as the advanced-level Honors Strings. The Academy Symphonic Band, including Honors Band, offers students an opportunity to play from the modern wind ensemble and band repertoire. This group occasionally combines with the String Orchestra for larger community events. The GA Jazz Ensemble, consisting of interested students from all performing ensembles, is an extracurricular group that meets before school, allowing full expansion of musical offerings while providing an authentic jazz experience to as many students as possible. GA music ensembles perform regularly on campus in addition to frequent performances in local Philadelphia venues. The choral program undertakes performance tours regularly, including tours to east coast cities and Europe. Additional extracurricular opportunities include the GA/PC Day Pump Up the Jam Band, A Cappella Club, and spring Pop Music-Themed Assembly.
The theatre component of GA Performing Arts includes annual courses in acting, improvisation, musical theatre, theatre production, and technical theatre. All courses in sophomore through senior years may be taken at the regular or honors-level. GA’s Audition and Performance courses provide students with a serious interest in pursuing theatre at the college-level, a chance to prepare thoroughly for this rigorous process. Naturally the vast majority of students taking theatre classes performs or participates in one or more of our Belfry Club productions, which includes musicals, comedies, and dramas offered as extracurricular activities. Recently, the Belfry Club was cited as the best high school theatre program in the Philadelphia area by Philadelphia Magazine.