A music teacher stands at the front of a classroom instructing a group of students playing electric guitars and bass guitars. Music stands are arranged in front of the seated students.

Arts

Music

McLean’s trained faculty take pride in helping students connect meaningfully with music, building skills alongside appreciation.

A young person in black clothing plays a Yamaha grand piano on stage, seated on a piano bench with a dark curtain in the background.A group of young children participate in a music class, some sitting and some standing, while a teacher instructs near a large “Music” mural and a digital whiteboard.A group of children sit in chairs on stage, each playing acoustic guitars during a performance or rehearsal.A children's choir stands on risers and sings while a person in a blue shirt plays the piano, facing them, on a stage with a black curtain backdrop.A young person in black clothing plays a Yamaha grand piano on stage, seated on a piano bench with a dark curtain in the background.A group of young children participate in a music class, some sitting and some standing, while a teacher instructs near a large “Music” mural and a digital whiteboard.A group of children sit in chairs on stage, each playing acoustic guitars during a performance or rehearsal.A children's choir stands on risers and sings while a person in a blue shirt plays the piano, facing them, on a stage with a black curtain backdrop.
Two women dressed as nuns perform on stage; one stands beside a desk while the other sits behind it, both in period costume with a church background.A person with short curly hair plays a blue electric guitar while seated indoors, with keyboards and another guitarist visible in the background.A person plays a drum set in a music room with a sign that reads "Property of McLean School" visible in the foreground.A group of children sit on stage playing violins, following the direction of an adult standing in front of them.Two women dressed as nuns perform on stage; one stands beside a desk while the other sits behind it, both in period costume with a church background.A person with short curly hair plays a blue electric guitar while seated indoors, with keyboards and another guitarist visible in the background.A person plays a drum set in a music room with a sign that reads "Property of McLean School" visible in the foreground.A group of children sit on stage playing violins, following the direction of an adult standing in front of them.

Our K-12 music curriculum emphasizes music literacy and theory, as well as performance. These performance opportunities range from winter and spring concerts and competitions to sporting events and local festivals. McLean strives to provide a purposeful music education for every student and maximize its impact on cognitive and social-emotional development. 

Lower School

Students build a lifelong love of music as they explore rhythm, melody, and movement through singing, instruments, and creative expression. Students have an opportunity to join chorus or string ensembles beginning in Grade 3.

Students explore:

  • steady beat & sound 
  • active listening & pitch
  • instrument families
  • multi-sensory activities &  hands-on exploration
  • music vocabulary
  • vocal skills through games and songs
  • multicultural music 
Four photos show children in a music class playing string instruments, percussion, and singing, with a colorful "Music" mural in one classroom.

Middle School

Students deepen their musical skills and confidence through performance, composition, and ensemble work that foster creativity, collaboration, and joy. Students may take strings, band, guitar, and chorus. More advanced music fundamentals are taught, including:

  • complex forms
  • compound meter &syncopation
  • beginning composition
  • ensemble play in parts
  • sight reading and vocal mechanics
Collage of students playing violin, guitar, and cello, and a teacher conducting students singing at a piano in a music classroom.

Upper School

Students refine their artistry and performance skills through a range of vocal and instrumental opportunities that inspire self-expression, discipline, and a lasting appreciation for music. Offerings abound: 

  • chorus
  • award-winning jazz band and rock, pop, and blues ensemble with emphasis on history, theory, improvisation, scales, and chords
  • advanced string ensemble featuring both classical and popular music
  • music production course designed to expose and teach students relevant technology, songwriting, and recording, complete with a culminating demo
A collage of four images shows students singing, playing saxophone, learning guitar, and performing on drums in a music classroom setting.

After McLean

Our graduates have gone on to study music at some of the country’s top performing arts programs, including Interlochen College of Creative Arts, Berklee College of Music, Pace University, and New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

A collage of four images showing two people singing into microphones, a close-up of hands playing a trumpet, and a person playing an electric guitar on stage.

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The entrance to McLean School.

Discover the McLean Experience

It’s critically important for a child to be in a school that respects them for who they are, and supports their academic strengths and challenges. This has always been true for McLean. 

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