choral music

The CHORAL PROGRAM at The Lovett School has a rich and distinguished history, dating to the School’s founding. Lovett’s philosophy of utilizing a comprehensive curriculum that seeks to develop the whole child—intellectually, physically, spiritually, socially, aesthetically, and emotionally—is exemplified through an emphasis on the visual and performing arts. Choral/vocal music at Lovett has enjoyed strong and outstanding leadership over several decades. Lovett choral ensembles are represented annually in the Spivey Hall Honor Choirs and the GMEA All-State Choruses.

The purpose of the Lovett Choral Program is to seek excellence in every aspect of programming, rehearsals, performances, and conduct. As a musical community, we strive to become our very best as viable individuals and collective performing artists. As students and teachers, our goal is to be tolerant, open, kind, and forgiving to create a community where all feel valued and accepted.

Follow along as we navigate the 2022-23 school year with virtual recordings, class videos and more at @LovettFineArts on Instagram.

Honors Singers

The Lovett Singers is a select group of Upper School singers established in 1976. The Lovett Singers represented the United States in 1978 on President Carter’s Friendship Exchange Program to Newcastle, England. They have performed at the World’s Fair in New Orleans and Disney World, and won the First Place Gold and the Sweepstakes Trophy at the 1991 Heritage Music Festival in New Orleans. They performed under the baton of conductor John Rutter in Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall in November 1991 and sang at Carnegie Hall in November 1996. They won the coveted Grand Choral Championship titles at the MusicFest Competitions in Orlando in 1995, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2007. Members of this ensemble participate annually in Spivey Hall High School Honor Choir, the GMEA District

Five Honor Chorus, and the GMEA All-State Chorus. In 2013, the Singers won a Gold Medal (Superior) in the Heritage Music Festival in Orlando. At the same festival, the Singers garnered four additional trophies: Outstanding Choral Group Award, Festival Sweepstakes Award for Choral Program, Adjudicators Award (achieving a score above 95 percent in all categories), and the Worldstrides Heritage Performance

Special Invitation to Perform in Carnegie Hall. In 2014, the Lovett Singers traveled to New York City, where they performed the national anthem for a sold-out Brooklyn Nets/Boston Celtics game, and performed the Haydn Nelson Mass in Carnegie Hall under the direction of Anton Armstrong. In Spring 2016, the Singers returned to Carnegie Hall and were honored to perform the National Anthem for a sold-out New York Knicks-Miami Heat game in Madison Square Garden.

faculty SPOTLIGHT

Charley Snell

Charley Snell returns to Atlanta from Bloomington, IN, where he is completing his doctoral degree in Choral Conducting at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. During his time in Bloomington, Mr. Snell studied conducting with Dominick DiOrio, Betsy Burleigh, and Walter Huff, as well as teaching undergaraduate courses in conducting, music theory, and voice, directing the All-Campus Choir, and singing in multiple ensembles including the internationally-renowned NOTUS Contemporary Vocal Ensemble. He also served as assistant director/choral scholar at the Trinity Episcopal Church under Marilyn Keiser. Previously, Mr. Snell led the choral program at Lakeside High School in Atlanta from 2008-2015, where his choirs performed across the nationally and internationally, receiving superior ratings and accolades. Mr. Snell also served as the Assistant Choirmaster at All Saints Episcopal Church under Ray Chenault, and as an assistant director in the Atlanta Master Chorale. Snell earned his Bachelor of Music Education and Master’s of Music from Florida State University and Emory University, respectively. His work included studies with Andre Thomas, Kevin Fenton, Eric Nelson, and Simon Carrington. For the past two decades, Mr. Snell has worked with choirs of every age and level of education both at the local and state levels bringing his passion for the choral art to numerous singers throughout the country. As a tenor, he has performed across the United States and internationally, both as a soloist and as a chorister. He has studied with Larry Gerber, Stanford Olsen, and Dr. Brian Horne. He resides in Smyrna with his wife, Jane, their two children, Nils and Elin, and their dog, Klaus.

men’s chorus

The Men’s Chorus sings for special concerts, chapel services, and competitions. They won first place in their division at the 1995 MusicFest Competition in Orlando, and the coveted Grand Championship. They also won first place in their division in the 1996, 1998, 2002, 2004, and 2006 competitions and second place in the 1998 Grand Championship. The Men’s Chorus won first place Gold in the 2000 Southern Star Music Festival and the Sweepstakes title for the highest score of the festival. In 2008, this group earned superior ratings in performance at the GMEA Performance Evaluation, as well as earning a superior rating at Festival Disney.

women’s chorus

The Women’s Chorus participates in chapel, the Service of Lessons and Carols, the classical concert, and the spring musical. They have performed at Disney World, the Piedmont Driving Club, and for the Atlanta Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs. Members of this ensemble participate annually in the GMEA District Five Honor Chorus, and the GMEA All-State Chorus. They won Outstanding Choral Group, first place Gold, and the coveted Adjudicator’s Trophy at the 1991 Music Heritage Festival in New Orleans. They received first place at the MusicFest Competitions in 1995, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2004, and 2006. In 2008, this group earned superior ratings in performance and sight-reading at the GMEA Performance Evaluation. The Lovett Women’s Chorus regularly performs for holiday caroling in the Vinings area.

Middle School Chorus

Choral music has historical and cross-cultural connections that transcend time and artistic disciplines. Singing is a powerful emotional outlet. In this class, singers are “choral artists.” Students will build vocal, theory, and artistic skills needed to perform a varied repertoire of music. Through a process known as “scaffolding,” individual and choral ensembles will develop independence and musical maturity through perceptive assessment of self and others. The music studied will broaden their perspective of the world, build self-confidence, and provide an exciting opportunity to establish close friendships. Students will understand that each person’s shared efforts create a product much greater than the sum of individual talents.

Eighth Grade Chorus

faculty SPOTLIGHT

DEBORAH ULRICH

Deborah has served as middle school choral director for 25 years. She is in her thirteenth year at Lovett. Her middle school choral teaching experience includes public schools on Long Island (NY), Cobb County, and Marietta City Schools. She is a recipient of the Georgia STAR Teacher Award (2011), and The Beth and Ray Chenault Fine Arts Award (2019). She has served in organist and organist/choirmaster positions in Texas, Ohio, New York, and Georgia. She is currently organist at Roswell Presbyterian Church, and served as adjunct organ instructor and University Organist at Ashland University (OH), as well as an adjunct faculty member at Long Island University. Deborah received a Bachelor of Music in organ performance from Wesleyan College, and a Master of Sacred Music from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, with further organ study at the University of Cincinnati-Conservatory of Music. She is a consecrated Diaconal Minister, and has served in various leadership positions in the United Methodist Church at the conference, state, regional, and national levels.

seventh grade chorus

Lower School General Music

The goal of the Lower School General Music program is to build a strong foundation of musical literacy. Children are exposed to a diverse curriculum designed for active and fun music learning through singing, playing instruments, listening, moving, and creating.

Children gain skills in improvising, reading, and composing their own music and learn to use music vocabulary to describe what they feel, see, and hear. Music elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and form are sequenced age appropriately throughout the music curriculum. Children experience a well-rounded repertoire of music representing different genres and cultures.

faculty SPOTLIGHT

JAN BONER

faculty SPOTLIGHT

SAMANTHA PUCKETT

Sixth Grade Chorus

Samantha Puckett is a mezzo-soprano originally from Katy, Texas. She attended West Texas A&M University for her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music. Samantha pursued her Artist Diploma at Georgia State University. In addition to her role at Lovett, she is currently an alto staff singer at the Cathedral of St. Philip. Samantha’s operatic roles include Magda Sorel (The Consul), Charlotte (Werther), and Rebecca Nurse (The Crucible). She continues her vocal study and often performs as a guest soloist in Atlanta and its surrounding areas.

Jan Boner is the Kindergarten through second grade music teacher in the Lower School. She completed a Master’s in Education through Lesley University in Curriculum and Instruction: Integrated Teaching through the Arts. She has a bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Ohio University, as well as a Bachelor of Theology with an emphasis in Christian leadership from The Way College of Biblical Research. Janet is a Board Certified Music Therapist, working with young children with developmental delays and autism. Janet served as president of Early Childhood Music & Movement Association and on the board for several more years. She brings to Lovett her passion for music, young children, and many years of teaching experience.

Marianne Beverly

Marianne Beverly, Lovett’s Lower School choral director and general music teacher in Grades 3–5, has been a music teacher for many years. She received her bachelor’s degree in music education and performance at Converse College. While teaching in the DeKalb County school system in Georgia, she earned her master’s degree in music education at Georgia State University. She has been teaching at Lovett for 30 years.

Lower School Chorus

The Lovett Lower School Chorus is a group of fourth and fifth grade students who delight audiences with their joyful singing and charismatic stage presence. These singers rehearse once a week, after school hours, in preparation for the Lower School Holiday Choral Concert, Holiday Sing-A-Long, Lower School Talent Show, and Lower School Spring Choral Concert.

lower school M&Ms

The M&Ms are a group of third and fourth grade boys whose love for singing brings them to rehearsals once a week to enjoy the camaraderie of an all-boy choir. They perform in the Lower School Holiday Choral Concert, Holiday Sing-A-Long, Talent Show, and the All-School Closing Chapel in May.

dance (upper, middle)

The Middle and Upper School Dance Program is taught by Rebecca Metzger and is designed to introduce many styles of dance to the beginning student, but with a focus on ballet as the foundation of all dances. In the seventh and eighth grade dance classes, students are introduced to ballet, hip hop, jazz, and contemporary dance. In the Upper School dance class, students can focus on more detailed aspects of dance, concentrating on the fundamentals of technique (ballet, jazz, and contemporary), proper stretching form, strengthening exercises used in pilates and Gyrotonic, and the choreographic process. Upper School students also develop their performance ability by performing in the Hendrix-Chenault Theater for fall and spring dance concerts, school assemblies, chapel services, and the Spring Arts Festival.

faculty SPOTLIGHT

Rebecca Metzger

Rebecca Metzger, an Atlanta native, left home at 16 to attend the School of American Ballet on a full merit scholarship. In her senior year of high school, she was named a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts and was one of two dancers to receive the first ever Mae L. Wein Award for students of outstanding promise. At 18, she joined the New York City Ballet, performing a variety of corps, soloist, and principal roles during her career. She has appeared in the PBS series Dance in America and The Balanchine Essays. While rehearsing, performing, and touring full-time, she attended Barnard College, graduating magna cum laude. Following her performing career, Metzger became the creative director of the New York City Ballet Workout. She has taught ballet to all levels and ages, from the public schools of New York City to elite ballet academies, and is a repetiteur for both the Jerome Robbins and George Balanchine Foundations. Rebecca joined Lovett in 2012 and is thrilled to be a part of the Fine Arts Department, a place that clearly understands the value of integrating academics with the arts.

upper school dance seventh grade dance eighth grade dance

faculty SPOTLIGHT

Aaron James, a dancer, choreographer, creative director and actor has been active in the professional entertainment for just over 10 years. He got his start as he was a participant in MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew with a crew called Royal Flush that he created along with his younger brother. Exposure from being on ABDC eventually propelled him into a full fledged professional dancing career that gradually led to many other opportunities in the entertainment world. Aaron has graced the stage with many big names such as Kanye West, LeCrae, Pharrell, Little Big Town, T-Pain, Jacob Latimore and more. Aaron is now actively choreographing and creative directing various projects for many independent artists as well as balancing an emerging acting career and you can find Aaron in many movies, television series and commercials airing on many major networks and streaming platforms.

As the founder and director of Bluebird Uncaged, Rebekah’s passion is to bring hope and dignity through dance. From sitting mesmerized by the Nutcracker as a toddler to training at the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education to dancing principal roles, she has experienced the power, freedom, and joy in using dance to communicate. Rebekah is a freelance artist from Atlanta, GA and has appeared with companies such as The Georgia Ballet and the Atlanta Opera. She’s also been a guest artist with Telluride Dance Academy and Sawnee Ballet Theatre. Rebekah loves using dance to serve internationally and has travelled to Panama, Cuba, and most recently The Netherlands, to perform and conduct workshops. In 2018, she curated the Uncaged Community Dance Festival where some of Atlanta’s leading dance companies converged for a week of collaboration. Rebekah also loves mentoring the next generation through teaching; she was a faculty member at the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education for nine years and is currently a guest teacher around the US. Rebekah holds a BA in Communications from Thomas Edison State University. Rebekah holds a BA in Communications from Thomas Edison State University. When she’s not in the studio, Rebekah enjoys spending time with her family, reading, paddleboarding and pickleball, or winding down with hand-embroidery.

Ashlynn Brooks received her dance training from Central VA Dance Academy as her passion for dance began at the age of 10. She experienced several years of performances, recitals, Nutcrackers, and trips to NYC to take classes at Broadway Dance Center. She continued her training at Virginia Tech, where she majored in Theatre and Creative Writing. During her time there, she began teaching fairytale ballet at a local studio in Blacksburg called Little Leapers. After college, she decided to move to ATL to pursue her passion for screen acting and continue to teach dance to younger age groups.

Third–Sixth Grade Hip Hop

Second and Third grade Dance

Kindergarten and First Grade Dance

Instrumental Music

Upper School Band

The Upper School Band Program is a composite of the concert/symphonic band, jazz ensembles, woodwind, brass, and percussion ensembles. Members of the Upper School band are encouraged to study privately with Lovett’s Conservatory of Music faculty or local performing artists. Students are further encouraged to participate in select state and local honor groups, including the GMEA All-State Band, the GISA All-Select Band, the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Metro Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble, the Rialto Jazz Orchestra, and other extracurricular performing ensembles. Members of the Ellington Jazz Ensemble are selected by audition. The Lovett Ellington Jazz Ensemble and Wind Symphony compete in national festivals and competitions.

Honors Ellington Jazz Ensemble

faculty SPOTLIGHT

TIM PITCHFORD

Tim Pitchford, a native Floridian, lived and taught in Illinois for a decade before becoming Lovett’s Upper School Director of Bands and the Honors Ellington Jazz Ensemble Director. During his time in the midwest, he was the jazz progrm director and trombone professor at Illinois Wesleyan University, a private liveral arts college in Bloomington, IL. Under his direction, the IWU Jazz Ensemble performed for the 2014 Illinois Music Educator’s Conference and the Elmhurst Jazz Festival. Dr. Pitchford has served as a clinician for the Marshall University Jazz Fedtival, the Northwest Oklahoma University Jazz Festival, the Bradley University Jazz Festival, and the Illinois State University Jazz Festival. As a professional trombonist, he has performed with Arturo Sandoval, The Manhattan Transfer, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Patti Austin, Aretha Franklin, the Woody Herman Orchestra, and many others. From 2002-2005, he toured internationally with K.C. and the Sunshine Band. Dr. Pitchford holds degrees in jazz performance from University of North Florida, Georgia State University, and the University of Miami.

wind Ensemble

Seventh Grade Band

Middle School Band

The Lovett Middle School Bands perform numerous times throughout the year, including a holiday concert, the annual Prism Concert, the Lovett Jazz Festival, and at other venues. Students perform concert band literature, and in seventh and eighth grade begin a curriculum of jazz studies. The Middle School Bands have received superior ratings, sweepstakes honors, and outstanding soloist awards at numerous band festivals, as well as invitations to perform at the state music convention. They also have produced many All-State band students.

Eighth Grade Band

Sixth Grade Band

faculty SPOTLIGHT

Lynn King is the Middle School Band Director, who also assists with the Lower and Upper School Band programs. Mrs. King received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Appalachian State University. Before coming to Lovett, Mrs. King taught at Henderson Middle School for 11 years. At Lovett, Mrs. King is the Girls’ JV Tennis Coach and the Team Mom for the Varsity Swimming Team. She is also a freelance oboe player in Atlanta and plays with The Cobb Wind Symphony. Mrs. King is a guest clinician in many metro Atlanta schools. In addition, Mrs. King sits on the Board of Directors for the Dresden Elementary School Foundation; this foundation promotes improving literacy among students along the Buford Highway Corridor.

Born in Jacksonville, FL, Justin Varnes studied at the University of North Florida before moving to New York to study at the New School. In New York, he toured with Phoebe Snow, with whom he performed on the Roseanne Barr Show with Michael McDonald, Madison Square Garden, and NPR’s “World Café.” He regularly performs with his own quartet, was tapped for work as part of the Earl Klugh Trio, and is a top call sideman for touring artists throughout the Southeast. Justin has performed with Mose Allison, Wessell Anderson, Kenny Barron, Peter Bernstein, Don Braden, Ann Hampton Callaway, Five for Fighting, Gavin DeGraw, Victor Goines, Wycliffe Gordon, Vincent Herring, Kevin Hays, Kevin Mahogany, Tony Monaco, Marcus Printup, Bob Reynolds, Lew Soloff, David Sanchez, Ira Sullivan, Sachal Vasandani, and Jimmy Vivino. In addition to his career in performing, Justin teaches at Lovett and Georgia Tech, and is also heavily involved in teaching jazz to youth groups such as the Rialto Youth Jazz Orchestra, Rialto Jazz for Kids, and Young Audiences. He also teaches and works with several national jazz programs, including Interplay Jazz & Arts and the Hilton Head Junior Jazz Foundation.

Lower School Band

The Lovett Lower School Bands offer a unique experience for young instrumentalists. Students enjoy learning the techniques to perform in large and small ensembles. They begin their musical training in the fourth and fifth grades. The bands perform a holiday concert in December, participate in a spring concert in March, and play for the Lower School in May. Some band students have played their instruments in the annual talent show, chapel services, and some school musicals and other school events.

Fifth Grade Band

Fourth Grade Band

faculty SPOTLIGHT

Charissa Gransden, director of Lower School bands, studied music education and flute performance at Florida State University. She graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree from Georgia State University. This is her 16th year at Lovett, and her 26th year teaching band. Charissa has taught private flute lessons and flute masterclasses for over 30 years. She loves watching students discover the joy of music.

Chamber Orchestra

The members of the LOVETT CHAMBER ORCHESTRA are comprised of students in grades 9-12. Musical excellence is achieved through student-centered instruction on the physical and intellectual skills required to perform string and full orchestra music from a wide range of musical styles and genres.

Middle School Orchestra

The MIDDLE SCHOOL ORCHESTRA program is comprised of students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. These young musicians are developing the physical, intellectual, and social skills vital to string music study. They perform a wide variety of musical styles and genres for both the Lovett and Metro Atlanta communities.

Eighth Grade Orchestra

The LOVETT HONORS COLLEGIUM STRINGS is an honors-level ensemble that draws its members from the Chamber Orchestra. This ensemble focuses on compositions intended for performance by small string ensembles. Students in Collegium Strings engage in scholarly preparation of music through theoretical analysis, historical context, and historically appropriate performance practice to create authentic performances. Students from the Lovett Orchestra program are regularly selected to participate in honors and youth orchestras around the country.

DAVID ECCLES faculty SPOTLIGHT

David F. Eccles is a native of Norfolk, Virginia. He has held string education positions in Virginia and Florida. In the spring of 2022, he was honored with the O. Wayne Rollins Master Teacher award. He has served as a guest conductor for many state, county, regional, and community orchestras. Mr. Eccles has presented education sessions at local, state, and international conferences. He is a clinician and consulting author for the Hal Leonard Corporation. He holds advanced degrees in Music Education from Florida State University and University of Miami (Florida) and Bachelor of Music and Media from Norfolk State Univeristy.

faculty SPOTLIGHT

Grace Kawamura Stubbart

Grace Stubbart is the Middle School Orchestra Director at The Lovett School. She attended Kennesaw State University for her Bachelor of Music degree, and also earned a Master of Music degree from the The University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Prior to her position as Middle School Orchestra Director, Grace was a violin instructor for the Lovett Conservatory of Music for four years. Grace holds a section violin position with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra and has performed with various orchestras in the Metro-Atlanta area such as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Ballet, and Atlanta Opera. In her spare time, Grace enjoys being at the barn riding dressage and jumping over cross rails and spending time with her husband, two bunnies, cat, and dog. bunnies and cat.

Seventh Grade Orchestra

Lower School Orchestra

The Lovett Lower School Orchestras offer third, fourth, and fifth graders the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of playing the violin, viola, cello, and bass. The Lower School Orchestra is centered on the physical, social, and emotional aspects of playing a string instrument. Student performances throughout the year include a holiday concert in early December, a String Spectacular concert in the Spring, and a Lower School performance in May. Orchestra students may also perform in special events such as chapel services and the annual talent show. First-year players and experienced players are welcome in the Lower School Orchestra.

Sixth Grade Orchestra

Fifth Grade Orchestra

Fourth Grade Orchestra

Third Grade Orchestra

The Third Grade Orchestra offers students an early opportunity to experience playing the violin, viola, cello, and bass. Firstyear players and experienced players are welcome in the Third Grade Orchestra. This class focuses on the baseline skills of playing a string instrument, as well as the physical, social, and emotional aspects of playing music. Student performances throughout the year include a holiday concert in early December, a String Spectacular concert in the spring, and a Lower School performance in May. Third Grade Orchestra students may also perform in special events such as chapel services, the annual talent show, and a recital at the High Museum.

faculty SPOTLIGHT

PERRY MORRIS

Perry Morris is the Lower School Orchestra Director at The Lovett School. Perry earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance from Kennesaw State Univeristy. Perry remains active as a performer, studio teacher, and clinician in Metro-Atlanta.

Theater Arts

The Theater Arts Department is dedicated to teaching an in-depth, multi-layered approach to the study of theater and its collaborative nature. Through acting classes, design and production, and education as audience members, students learn to communicate and expand their imagination, creativity, thoughts, and emotions. In classes and productions, Lovett students discover self-discipline, self-motivation, selfesteem, and social interaction. The artistic process in acting and design and production is the core of all the work within the program. Students experience a heightened sense of culture and an ability to make critical value judgments through skills in acting and design and production. The Theater Arts Department combines these elements to form a curriculum that allows students to explore and experience the theatrical world, instilling a lifelong love of theater. The Theater Department produces plays and musicals in both semesters, along with other workshop productions. In addition, they take an annual trip to New York City that is highly recommended, but optional.

Design And Production

The Design and Production classes are designed to provide and develop the skills needed to succeed in the demanding world of theatrical design and production. Offered to Upper School and eighth grade students, this program explores design and production from conceptual design work to the “nuts and bolts” that help make a production happen. Utilizing both hands-on applications as well as in-class projects, each student will be able to explore, expand, and realize their own creative potential. The course covers all aspects of backstage work, including stage lighting and carpentry; scenic, lighting, and costume design; stage management; operations; and fundamental sound design and engineering.