Performing Arts

The MPCS band program, under the leadership of Billy Flood, supports robust activities during the curricular school day and maintains year-round performance and competitive ensembles after school. Curricular band offerings include fifth-grade band, middle school bands (grades 6-8), and high school band.
 
These curricular band classes culminate in four on-campus performances per year. In addition, middle and high school bands participate in the Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluations each spring.

Extracurricular Band Activities:

• Competition marching band (The Soaring Eagle Marching Band)
• Competition indoor drumline (Genesis)
• Competition winter guard (Uplift)
• Blues ensemble
• Basketball drumline (Knockmen)
• District and All State Bands
• Solo and ensemble festivals
• University of Georgia Honor Band Nominations ("MidFest" and "JanFest")
• Educational performance trips (off campus)

The MPCS chorus program, under the leadership of Julie Duncan and Sarah Cole, supports robust activities during the curricular school day and maintains extracurricular year-round performance opportunities. Curricular chorus offerings include fifth-grade chorus, middle school choruses (grades 6-8), and high school chorus.
 
These curricular chorus classes culminate in three on-campus performances per year. In addition, middle and high school choruses participate in the Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluations each spring. The lower school choruses are consistently rated as "Superior" through the annual Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluations.

Extracurricular Chorus Activities:

• Third- and fourth-grade honor chorus
• Middle school show choir (Rhapsody in Blue)
• High school vocal jazz ensemble
• High school honors chorus
• District and All State Honor Chorus

The MPCS orchestra program, under the leadership of Dr. Alex Binkley, supports robust activities during the curricular school day and maintains year-round performances and ensembles after school. Curricular orchestra offerings include fifth-grade orchestra, middle school orchestras (grades 6-8), and high school orchestras.

These curricular orchestra classes culminate in three on-campus performances per year. In addition, the Eighth Grade and High School Orchestra participates in the Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluations each spring.

Extracurricular Orchestra Activities:

• Solo and ensemble performances
• Music in the Parks Music Festival
• Bluegrass Ensemble
• District and All State Orchestras
• GISA All Select Orchestra

The MPCS dance program, under the leadership of Lynne Brague, supports robust activities during the curricular school day and maintains year-round extracurricular learning opportunities. Classes are held in the dance wing of the Murray Arts Center in three dance studios. Curricular dance offerings include middle school dance classes (grades 6-8), high school dance classes (four sections leveled by ability), and high school dance and health. Extracurricular dance activities include collaborative participation in dramatic and show choir productions and classes with the Murray Arts Academy in ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, pointe, and tap. The dance program presents two on-campus performances per year that combine curricular dance classes and Murray Arts Academy dance classes.

The MPCS drama program, under the leadership of Jennifer Fitzpatrick and Meagan Williams, supports robust activities during the curricular school day and maintains year-round extracurricular learning opportunities. Curricular drama offerings include middle school drama classes (grades 6-8), high school drama classes, and costume design and fabrication classes in a fully-equipped costume shop (offered in grades 7-12).

Extracurricular Drama Activities:

• Dramatic and musical productions for lower, middle, and high school
• Middle and high school show choirs
• Work-calls to design and create costumes for MPCS theatrical productions
• Opportunities for assistant stage management and direction

The technical theater program, under the leadership of David Morgan, offers high school students opportunities in the foundations of theater tech, hands-on learning of light design, set design and construction, and other elements and principles of technical theater. Extracurricular theater tech activities include work-calls to build theatrical production sets and high-level tech crew work to assist with scene change management, lighting design, audio design, and implementation during productions.

The recording arts program, under the leadership of Marshall Young, gives students the opportunity to train in audio recording and production skills using state-of-the-art technology and soundboard mixing in the LeFevre SoundLab. Skills are developed in various courses that include audio recording, songwriting, production, and with student groups such as the chapel band and other contemporary commercial music ensembles. Extracurricular internship-style opportunities in the LeFevre SoundLab provide students with real-world experiences, preparing them for careers in the field of audio engineering.