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Music at Fairfield Prep

The Fairfield Prep Music Program offers a robust selection of courses and clubs for every musician — from the violinist looking to hone his skill in the Orchestra to the drummer who just wants to jam with the Blues Band.

Led by Mr. Dan Horstmann, Prep offers five musical ensembles: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, String Orchestra, Select Choir, and General Music. These are academic courses where students are in class every day working on techniques and skills required to perform at high level. Their efforts culminate in annual concerts at the Quick Center for the Arts.

Prep students are required to take one year of fine arts, and the vast majority of those who start in the Music Program continue their studies all four years.

Academic Excellence

Learn more about each course on the curriculum page.

Symphonic Band

Symphonic Band is an advanced level performance group that includes all brass, woodwind, and chamber percussion instruments (piano included).

Symphonic Orchestra

Symphonic Orchestra is an advanced level performance group that includes all classical string instruments (violin, viola, cello, upright bass).

 

Select Choir

This is an advanced level performance chorus. Students are encouraged to participate in Western Regional and All-State competitions, and are expected to perform at the two annual concerts during the school year.

Wind Ensemble

Wind Ensemble is a beginner intermediate level performance group that includes all brass, woodwind, and chamber percussion instruments (piano not included).

General Music

This freshman level course offers a non-performance-based approach to learning about music. Students enrolled in this course will explore music theory, music appreciation, and music history.

Extracurricular

Students interested in music outside of the classroom have several additional opportunities through Music Clubs.

Learn more at our clubs page.

Chamber Singers (Mixed-Voice Choir)

This auditioned group of singers is a mixed‐voice choir that rehearses outside the school day. The Chamber Singers are featured at the two Music Department Concerts at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.

Blues Band

The Blues Band is a non‐auditioned group of musicians that shares a passion for jamming with friends.

Jazzuits

The Jazzuits focus year‐round on performing varieties of genres but the majority of music is from the jazz/pop/rock genre.

Music Ministry

Welcome to all musicians (no audition needed) including, but not limited to: singers, guitarists, bassists, drummers, and all other instrumentalists!

Beatboxing Club

In the Beatboxing Club, we will teach and learn new sounds, watch professional beatboxers, and collaborate together.

Music Competition

Advanced musicians have opportunities to excel beyond the classroom at Fairfield Prep. Prep musicians participate in regional auditions and perform in ensembles at the Connecticut Music Association Western Regional Festivals.
 
Image: Participants in the Western Regionals Competition in early 2019.

Flexibility

At Prep, students don't have to choose between doing sports, clubs and music. The majority of Prep musicians participate in sports in addition to either an ensemble or a club. Teachers and coaches work with the students so they can participate in all activities that interest them, regardless of schedules.
 
Image: Select Choir member and football player Spencer Spellane '21 sings the National Anthem in the fall of 2019.

Community Engagement

The Music Program continues the Fairfield Prep tradition of community outreach by participating in a number of annual events. The Jazzuits and Select Choir perform during the annual Shop & Stroll in downtown Fairfield, and since 2018 Fairfield Prep has participated in the annual Anti-Defamation League Concert at the Klein Memorial Auditorium.

Performing at the Quick

Fairfield Prep students perform twice a year at the Quick Center for the Arts, a state-of-the-art concert facility on the Fairfield University campus.

View the spaces at the Quick Center

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