In Kindergarten and Grade 1, boys begin with the body. They clap, stomp, sing, dance, and play. They learn to distinguish beat from rhythm, fast from slow, and stillness from motion. Through improvisation, percussion, and participation in school-wide performances, they begin to explore music from around the world. In Grades 2–4 , those foundations deepen. Boys learn to read music on the staff, perform call-and-response pieces, and experiment with different musical forms. They compose, collaborate, and play together. They sing in English, Spanish, Tagalog, and other languages, broadening their musical and cultural awareness. By Grade 5 , boys are ready to use performance to tell stories. They explore posture, gesture, and movement as tools for communicating emotion and meaning. In Grade 6 , the focus turns to voice. Each student writes and delivers a personal narrative, discovering the strength in speaking honestly and clearly. In Grade 7 , voice and movement come together. Boys work as an ensemble to devise scenes or interpret dramatic texts. They learn to collaborate, reflect, and perform with intention. In Grade 8 , they lead. Whether delivering Chapel Talks or performing in a culminating stage production, they draw on years of preparation to share who they’ve become, not just as performers, but as people who know how to listen and express themselves with heart. BY GRADE 8, BOYS AREN’T JUST PERFORMING. THEY’RE LEADING, LISTENING, AND LIFTING THEIR VOICES WITH JOY AND CONVICTION. Through performing arts, boys gain more than technical skills. They learn how to
connect, express what they believe, and carry themselves with clarity and purpose. These are more than performance skills; they are life skills. And by the time they reach their final performance, our boys are ready for whatever stage comes next.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
John Walker and Brandon Joseph teach performing arts at Cathedral School for Boys. John, who has taught Lower School performing arts since 2018, holds a B.A. in choral conducting from the University of Utah. Brandon joined the school in 2020 and became the Upper School performing arts teacher in 2023. A performer and director, he has worked with Opera Colorado, Curious Theatre, and Kent Denver’s summer musical program. He previously taught at Aspen Country Day School, held arts leadership roles with the Aspen Music Festival and Saint John’s Cathedral, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the
American Conservatory Theater.
2025–2026 RED&GOLD
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