Arts
Music
Where every voice and instrument finds its place.
Music
As a universal human expression, music is fundamental to understanding our world and our place within it. At Oakcrest, students develop musicianship through performance, listening, analysis, and study—from their first ensemble experiences in Middle School to advanced performance and music theory in the Upper School.
Instrumental
Chamber Ensemble
Middle School instrumentalists develop sight-reading, technical, and ensemble skills through increasingly challenging repertoire spanning a variety of musical styles and periods. The ensemble currently includes strings, harp, flute, clarinet, and bass clarinet, with additional instruments included at the director’s discretion.
Chamber Orchestra
Upper School instrumentalists build upon their Middle School training through increasingly challenging repertoire ranging from classical to contemporary. The ensemble currently includes strings, harp, flute, and clarinet, with additional instruments included at the director’s discretion.
Oakcrest Harp Circle
The only harp circle in Northern Virginia, this distinctive ensemble experience allows students to develop musicianship and community through this timeless instrument.
Choral
Middle School Choirs
Sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade choirs develop vocal technique, music theory, sight singing, and independent musicianship while exploring repertoire from medieval to contemporary. Students perform at Oakcrest’s Christmas and Spring Concerts and deepen their understanding of music’s connection to culture and faith.
Concert Chorus
Upper School students strengthen their musicianship, creativity, and vocal technique through increasingly challenging choral repertoire from medieval to contemporary. Students perform throughout the Oakcrest community and beyond while continuing to develop independent musicianship through solfeggio.
Liturgical Choirs
The Middle School Liturgical Choir sings at Mass on special feast days throughout the academic year, giving students the opportunity to use their musical gifts in service of the Oakcrest community. The Upper School Liturgical Choir sings for Mass each Friday during the academic year, helping create a beautiful and prayerful setting for the school community’s worship while developing students’ musical gifts.
Each year, several students are selected for district-level choral ensembles, and Oakcrest alumnae have gone on to pursue opera and vocal performance at the professional and collegiate level, as well as careers in contemporary music and the performing arts.