Arts

Performing Arts

“…If we become a society of critics and consumers rather than of doers, then the Arts are completely betrayed...”
Robert Shaw
God has graciously given us the gift of music and has ordained that we worship Him with singing and instruments. Veritas places great value in giving students a rich music education. We strive to teach music skills that will last a lifetime, deepen students' understanding and appreciation of great music, provide opportunities for making beautiful music together, and inspire them with a passion for excellence to the glory of God.

Veritas music teachers are specialists in their fields, offering a diversity of developmentally-appropriate group instruction in general music, singing/choir, string orchestra, and music appreciation. General music classes are provided for kindergarten through fourth grades. In fifth through eighth grades, students select either choir or strings. High school students have the option of continuing their music training through membership in either the High School Concert Choir or the High School String Orchestra.
 
All students have multiple opportunities to perform each year. Lower School students participate in grade-level showcases, the annual Christmas program, and Grandparents' Day, and Upper School students perform both on and off campus on multiple occasions, including our Lessons and Carols Service, caroling in Carytown, regional string and choral assessments, String and Choral Concerts in the spring, Grandparents' Day, Deck the Halls and Spring Fever (our popular student-led shows), and other opportunities to minister to our community through music.

Program Overview

List of 3 items.

  • Grades JK - 4 | Early Music Education

    Junior kindergarten through fourth grade students enter Mrs. Heidi Thurmond's colorful classroom to learn the fundamentals of singing, playing, and reading music. Traditional Orff and Kodály approaches are used, giving students rich experiences and a solid foundation in both instrumental and vocal skills.

  • Grades 5 - 12 | Choir

    5th through 12th grade choir students join Mr. Jack Templeton to further develop skills in part-singing, choral tone, and musicianship. Repertoire is carefully chosen to both challenge students and allow them to shine in performance. Sight reading, solfege, and music theory are core elements of the curriculum. 5th through 8th grades receive grade-level instruction, while 9th through 12th students join together for our Veritas High School Concert Choir.

  • Grades 5 - 12 | Strings

    5th through 12th grade strings students join Mrs. Lilli Benko in our beautiful orchestra room, where they build and hone their skills on violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students cultivate a love for music while diving deep into a particular area or genre of focus for the year. Last year, students explored the world of jazz; this year, they are immersing themselves in all things Baroque. 5th through 8th grades receive grade-level instruction, while 9th through 12th students join together for our Veritas High School Orchestra.

Video Performances

One of the musical highlights of our year is the annual Lessons & Carols service in December. The service is based upon a traditional sequence of nine Scripture readings, followed by musical selections performed by our high school choirs and string ensemble. In December 2019, we were graciously hosted by All Saints Episcopal Church in Richmond for a rich evening of music and contemplation that included the two performances below.
In the Bleak Midwinter
Words by Christina Rosetti, Music by Gustav Holst, Arranged by Mark Hayes
Performed by the High School Concert Choir
Lully, Lulla, Lullay
Traditional Carol, Arranged by Philip Stopford
Performed by the Veritas Chamber Singers
In March 2020, the Veritas Strings Program presented a concert inspired by the Baroque period (1600-1750), arguably one of the richest and most diverse periods in western music history.  Many timeless works of this era were largely commissioned by the church to bring laymen in touch with the artistic world through emotional intensity, rich texture and ornate beauty. One of the greatest masters of the Baroque era was Johann Sebastian Bach, whose music reflects a deep and abiding Christian faith. In the following two clips, both the Veritas 5th Grade Orchestra and High School Ensemble embrace the first movement of Bach's great Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, giving a unique view into the growth and arc of the Veritas Strings Program.
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5
Johann Sebastian Bach, Arranged by Richard Meyer
Performed by the Fifth Grade String Orchestra

The Veritas Fifth Grade Orchestra is our entry-level group strings class. Students meet twice a week for 50 minutes to learn the foundations of string playing: proper bow and left-hand technique, accurate intonation, disciplined practice habits and the art of playing in an ensemble.
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major, BVW 1050, Allegro
Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by the High School String Ensemble
Solos by Christopher G. (harpsichord), Lucas C. (violin), Bethany G. (flute)

High School strings students meet four periods a week and continue to refine their skills through quality repertoire (focusing on classical and jazz genres), music theory, and a contextual study of musical masters and their works. In 2019-20, our high school ensemble had two notable distinctions: students learned to play on Baroque-era bows (designed with a 'convex' or outward curve), and we had the use of a harpsichord, the official keyboard instrument of the period.

Audio Performances

Choose a song in the drop-down box below to hear more performances from our choirs and string ensembles.

Audio Performance Credits

Bach's Lunch
Les Hooper
Performed by the High School String Ensemble, solos by Victoria Duell (violin), Eli Redding (bass), Josiah Burijon (piano), Mr. Jim Reynolds (percussion)

Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major, BVW 1050, Allegro
Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by the High School String Ensemble, solos by Christopher Gilley (harpsichord), Lucas Chuidian (violin), and Bethany Gaubatz (flute)

Concerto for Two Cellos in G Minor, RV 531, Allegro
Antonio Vivaldi
Performed by the High School String Ensemble, solos by Andrew Young and IV Smith (cello)

Lully, Lulla, Lullay
Tradtional Carol, Arranged by Philip Stopford
Performed by the High School Chamber Singers

The Star-Spangled Banner
Lyrics by Francis Scott Key, Music by John Stafford Smith
Performed by the High School Chamber Singers

Vive la Compagnie
Traditional College Song, Arranged by John Leavitt
Performed by the Men's Choral Ensemble
3400 Brook Road, Richmond, VA 23227
Phone: 804.272.9517  |  Fax: 804.272.9518  |  Email: info@VeritasSchool.com