At Duchesne, music education inspires courage, confidence, and compassion, empowering students to discover their unique voices and share them with the world. In an environment of joyful creation, girls express personal, universal, and abstract ideas with confidence, interpreting and performing music that challenges them to grow as both artists and individuals. Through a balance of ensemble and individual opportunities, they develop the courage to take creative risks and the compassion to connect deeply with others, strengthening our community through meaningful and memorable performances.
Lower School
Music in the Lower School is a joyful and foundational part of each girl’s experience, where students from Petite Hearts through Grade 4 build vocal confidence and musical understanding through age-appropriate songs, movement, instruments, and active listening. Students share their voices both on campus and out in the Houston community with students leading music during weekly assemblies, school liturgies, and prayer services, as well as performing for beloved traditions like Grandparents Day, Christmas programs, and May Crowning.
Middle School
Middle School students deepen their music skills through a vibrant program that fosters creativity, confidence, and performance. In 5th grade, students explore music literacy, composition, singing, and recorder, while 6th graders build on these foundations with ukulele and a 6th grade choir, including opportunities to perform in concerts and audition for the TPSMEA Children’s Honor Choir. Both grades lead music during assemblies and prayer services. In 7th and 8th grade, students may join choir—a semester-long class focused on harmony, sight-reading, and performance, with opportunities to sing at school events, visit nursing homes, and attend local musical theater and opera performances.
Upper School
Upper School students at Duchesne enjoy a wide array of musical opportunities that blend classroom learning with performance and community engagement. There are two choirs in Upper School, Treble Choir which is open to all and Advanced Choir which is a select auditioned group. Both choirs have exciting performance experiences, including singing the national anthem at an Astros game, the annual Christmas Concert, and the Spring Pop Show. Students can also audition for TPSMEA Region and All-State ensembles, participate in the ISAS Fine Arts Festival, serve as liturgical cantors, and attend Houston Grand Opera’s High School Night. Beyond choir, students may take Guitar I & II, Handbells, Music Theory, AP Music Theory, and Vocal Development. Each course includes performance opportunities, with Vocal Development culminating in a solo recital open to the school community.