Vocal Arts
The Vocal Music program at Westinghouse Arts Academy invites students to explore and strengthen their unique voices through focused instruction and creative collaboration. Whether students come with years of experience or are just beginning their vocal journey, the program provides a welcoming environment where all are encouraged to grow as confident and expressive performers.
With an emphasis on vocal technique, musical literacy, and ensemble work, students study a wide range of musical styles and traditions. Classroom learning is complemented by regular performance opportunities, where students develop stage presence, musical interpretation, and collaborative artistry.
Our faculty is committed to providing consistent, high-quality instruction while creating a space that supports personal growth and artistic risk-taking. Through individual and group work, students build the technical skills, musical understanding, and professional habits needed to pursue a variety of future paths—whether in performance, education, or other creative fields.
Above all, the Vocal Music program fosters a sense of community where students support one another and learn what it means to contribute to a shared artistic vision.
As they progress through the Vocal Music program, students build a strong foundation in vocal technique, musicianship, and collaborative performance. In the early years, coursework focuses on developing healthy singing habits, ensemble skills, and musical understanding through classes such as Vocal Ensemble, music theory, ear training, and music history.
As students grow in confidence and ability, they have opportunities to explore more advanced areas of study. These may include vocal repertoire, small group performance, songwriting, or technology-based music-making such as digital recording and basic arranging. Upper-level students continue developing their vocal identity through a combination of ensemble and solo work, with individualized coaching and guidance to support personal artistic goals.
Throughout the program, students are encouraged to take creative risks, support one another, and discover how their voices can connect with both music and community.
Learning Objectives
- To apply healthy and stylistically appropriate vocal production techniques to the choral and solo singing art forms.
- To apply the ability to appropriately project the combination of elements required for exemplary singing through the rehearsal and performance of experience-appropriate solo, unison, and multi-part literature.
- To demonstrate an increased level of mastery of music literacy skills.
- To recognize and analyze more complex musical forms.
- To continue to develop an appreciation of music of many styles, periods, and cultures by identifying and demonstrating the characteristics and interpretive elements of each being studied.
- To demonstrate an understanding of the skills needed to compose and arrange music.
- To demonstrate an understanding of the skills necessary to improvise melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
- To demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between music and the other arts disciplines.
- To demonstrate critical listening skills in rehearsal and performance as well as in the performance of others.
- To evaluate performances and demonstrate the skills needed to discern the quality of a performance.
- To provide extensive opportunities for the enjoyment of active music-making through participation and public performances.
- To demonstrate individual responsibility to the Performing Arts Department and Westinghouse Arts Academy as an organization through the understanding of the components of a successful performance and participation in a variety of leadership opportunities.
- To have a comprehensive understanding of the possibilities and opportunities provided to continue to sing throughout life.
Artistic Expectations
All Students will be expected to follow the policies and procedures in our Student Handbook and Performing Arts Handbook, create a respectful and positive learning community, and practice professional musicianship.
Students in Vocal Ensemble and Vocal Repertoire classes can expect to participate in approximately 4 to 6 graded after-school performances per school year.
The Performing Arts Department holds a monthly Studio Class where all Performing Arts students present what they are working on in their disciplinary classes. Vocal Repertoire students can expect to perform at least once per year, and Vocal Ensemble students can expect to perform at the director’s discretion.
Students will also have other opportunities to perform at Westinghouse and the surrounding community with events such as masterclasses, open mic nights, choral festivals, service projects, and fundraisers.
Audition Requirements
Send a video file of your audition, described below, as an attachment to an email, or link to a video on YouTube or a similar platform. Make sure permissions enable anyone with the link or file to watch it.
- Memorize and sing one song. Your song should showcase various aspects of your voice or style. For example: uptempo, ballad, classical, contemporary, pop or Broadway.
- Your lyrics must be memorized, and be 2-3 minutes in length.
- Recorded accompaniment will be accepted at this time. (We have a live accompanist for classes, and also for in-person auditions).
You will also submit answers to a series of questions in writing or a video.
Required Courses
- Music Literacy I & II
- Choir
- Intro to Piano
- (1) Introductory Dance Class
- Show Choir OR Applied Voice
- Advanced Harmony & Collaboration
- Songwriting & Music Technology
Vocal Opportunities & Events
2023-2024 Vocal Music Performances
Fall Concert – Instrumental and Vocal students showcased
Spring Concert – Instrumental and Vocal students showcased
Additional Performance Opportunities
- Masterclasses
- Monthly Performing Arts Dept. Studio Class
- Open Mic Nights
- Service Projects
- Fundraisers
Clubs Service Organizations
Tri-M Music Society
A Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter opens up a world of opportunities for students who have already shown themselves to be academically capable and musically gifted. Through performance and community service, they’ll develop confidence, creativity, critical thinking, compassion, and a host of other leadership skills sure to serve them well throughout their life.
