Ongoing research continues to offer dramatic statistics concerning young people who participate in their school music program.  In the 1997 College Board publication, Profiles of SAT and Achievement Test Takers, it was stated that, “Students with course work experience in music performance scored 89 points higher on the SAT tests than students with no course work in the arts."  This kind of information clearly and positively marks the future of our young musicians.  The analytical, self-discipline, communication, and creative thinking qualities that are essential for success in business and education are the foundation blocks of Thomas Sumter Academy’s music program.

Curriculum

Lower School
"Music Express" is quickly becoming an invaluable resource for music educators across the country.  It is designed specifically for elementary music programs, Kindergarten-5th Grade, and comes in the format of a contemporary magazine. We receive six issues throughout the year beginning with an August/September edition and going on through June.  Each issue comes with a teacher's magazine, a CD, and full-color student magazines featuring songs, activities, listening maps, articles and a special "spot light" feature on music from a different country from around the world.

Music School
Middle School students attend music for six weeks during the course of the school year.  7th and 8th Grade students participate in a musical production that involves singing, drama, staging, costuming and working on the technical aspects of a major production.  Additionally, there is a requirement of five other "specials."  “Specials” are designed to broaden horizons and expose students to things they may not otherwise experience.  Music is a great way of reinforcing history class and it often has a way of mirroring what is happening in the world around us.  It is our way of expressing, communicating and, in a way, recording history.

Upper School
"General Sound" is our Upper School concert and show choir.  This an auditioned group of students in the 9th-12th Grades who are dedicated to using music as a means of communicating a message of hope, joy, and peace.  One fine arts credit is required for graduation, but many of our students take "General Sound" for several years as an elective because of their desire to sing and participate in the performing arts.