Music ensembles—such as jazz, classical, handbells, and choir—have long been an integral part of school life at D-E. The incredible talent at our school is often on display during D-E’s annual assemblies and concerts, including the upcoming Winter Orchestral and Choral & Handbells Concerts on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, and Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, respectively.

For many of our student musicians, training began in the Lower or Middle School with the Private Lessons Program, offered by D-E 360° and taught by D-E instructors who are often working professionals. Lessons, comprising a total of 27 45-minute sessions once a week on orchestral instruments—piano, brass, woodwind, guitar, vocals, percussion, or strings—are available to students in every division and can accommodate any skill level.

“We’re happy to make space for these professional musicians,” says Director of D-E 360° Dr. Sherronda Brown, who calls this program “dear to my heart.”

Rob DeBellis, who has taught music at D-E since 1985, is one of these musicians. For his private lessons, he teaches woodwind instruments, specifically saxophone and flute. Mr. DeBellis also directs the highly popular Jazz Rock and Stage Band ensembles, which will perform in the Winter Concerts. He says that a majority of his students go on from these private sessions to play in the Upper School ensembles.

“Our biggest strength [at D-E] is having a professional teaching faculty—almost all of us are out playing in the New York scene,” says Mr. DeBellis. “It’s more like a college music faculty that brings a certain perspective, energy, and vibrancy to our program that our students latch on to.”

For instance, Strings Lessons are led by Ella Heifets, who plays violin and viola in New York orchestras and Broadway shows. Kindergarten through Grade 5 students who are enrolled in Private Lessons and have been playing their instrument for at least a year are eligible to play in the Lower School Strings Ensemble, for which Ms. Heifets is the Music Director.

Similarly, Jared Newlen, a working musician who has performed in prestigious performing arts centers in New York and abroad, teaches Woodwind Lessons; and Owen Caprell, a trombonist and low brass doubler who is gearing up to play in the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City this season, among other orchestras, teaches Brass Lessons. Both are Co-Directors of the Lower School Band Ensemble, which is open to Private Lessons students in 4th and 5th grade.

“The LS Band performs at LS assemblies, the music lesson recital, and the ‘Orchestra Extravaganza’ in April,” says Mr. Newlen.

Beginning this year, Strings Lessons opened to Pre-K students, so even the youngest members of the D-E community can get their feet wet in the performing arts.

“We are trying to approach kids to start learning instruments at a very early age,” says Ms. Heifets. “We want to open their interest in music.”

In the summer, Ms. Heifets also instructs Middle and Upper School students in D-E 360°’s String Society, which helps them hone their craft and culminates in a Grand Finale Concert.

Among the many benefits of students starting in the Private Lessons Program is that it “helps them be on the same page as the Middle and Upper School Orchestra,” says Ms. Heifets. “The goal is to build the foundation going up to the different divisions.”

Of course students in Private Lessons are prepped for success even beyond the halls of D-E.

“My students have participated in audition-based programs such as the New York Pops Kids on Stage, Third Street Summer Chamber Music Camp, and the Summer Arts Institute at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School,” says Mr. Newlen.

On Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 7:00 PM, the D-E community will get a chance to experience our elite young musicians during the Middle & Upper School Orchestra Concert in Schenck Auditorium, featuring the MS Percussion Ensemble, directed by Kevin Norton; the MS Orchestra, directed by Diego Garcia; String Jam, directed by Mr. Garcia and Annaliesa Place; and the US Orchestra, also directed by Mr. Garcia. D-E faculty and guest artists will also perform alongside our students.

Then, on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 7:00 PM, music plays on at the Winter Choral and Handbells Concert in Hajjar Auditorium, when US Handbells perform Let’s Ring, Zimbelstern, and Jingle Bells; an a cappella performance of Can’t Catch Me Now fills the room; the D-E Ringers play songs including Skaters Waltz and Over the River; and the US Chorus sing the White Winter Hymnal and more.

Both concerts are open to all in the D-E community and are free admission.