"We prepare students to engage in the world that is and to help bring about a world that ought to be."
From Recorders to Broadway: The Music Program at Friends Seminary
Dr. B rehearses with Upper School Chamber Players
Music at Friends Seminary is more than a set course offerings—it’s a journey of exploration, creativity, and connection that spans Kindergarten through 12th grade. Rooted in a deep appreciation for the arts and supported by an extraordinary team of professional musician-educators, the program invites every student to find their voice, discover their rhythm, and explore their potential.
Lower School: Building Musical Foundations
Music education at Friends Seminary begins in the Lower School, where students explore what music is, what it can accomplish, and how musical skills can enrich life beyond the classroom. Reflecting on his students’ enthusiasm and progress, Lower School music teacher Jonathan Weisbrot shares, “I am amazed at their growth and their ability to put all the facets of music together so that they can take them outside of the class and apply them to what they’re learning in other subjects and out in the world.”
Students in Kindergarten through Grade 4 engage in rhythm exercises, solfège, and hands-on exploration of Orff instruments such as xylophones and maracas. These activities help them develop a sense of their own musical identity—an identity that will shape their experiences with music throughout their time at Friends and beyond. They also explore the cultural and historical significance of music, learning about composers and the vital role music plays in human expression.
By third grade, students participate in chorus and begin playing the recorder, an accessible instrument that serves as a stepping stone to more advanced musical study. This foundation equips them with the skills needed for Middle School music instruction. Throughout the year, Lower School students share their progress in concerts, sing-alongs, and beloved community events like Grandparents Day and the holiday assembly.
Middle School: Pathways to Passion
In Middle School, students embark on a more tailored musical journey. At the end of Grade 4, they attend a demonstration of various instruments, sparking curiosity and guiding their choice of instrument for Grade 5. Whether they opt for strings, winds, brass, or percussion, students commit to two years of study, laying the groundwork for musical mastery.
Small group instruction during Grades 5 and 6 transitions into full ensemble performances in Grades 7 and 8, where students explore an eclectic repertoire and sometimes even perform original compositions by their peers. Faculty foster creativity by encouraging students to participate in the selection of pieces, often contextualizing their significance by teaching about composers and their works.
Upper School: Mastery and Exploration
The Upper School music program offers both advanced study and fresh opportunities for exploration. Students can join ensembles like orchestra, jazz band, or chorus, or delve into specialized electives such as vocal music theory, musical theater, and instrumental studio—a new offering that provides personalized instruction for students eager to learn a new instrument or refine their skills on an existing one.
One of the most exciting aspects of the Upper School program is the opportunity for students to compose original works. Will ’25 has composed a new piece for the Chamber Players Orchestra every year since Grade 9, inspired by his studies, experiences, and the unique instrumentation of the group. His compositions reflect a range of styles, from Baroque French influences to modern mixed meters, and are a testament to his dedication and creativity. This year, Will is working on a nine-minute slow movement piece, a departure from his previous faster-paced works. Under the mentorship of Dr. Brian Levels (Dr. B), he refines his compositions, ensuring they are both musically ambitious and suited for the ensemble.
Beyond these larger orchestral compositions, Will has also written smaller chamber pieces, including works for woodwind trios featuring his peers. This creativity is mirrored in other students like Jacob ’27, a skilled pianist who is exploring transcription and arrangement, and cello/bass player Alexander ’27, who has shown a burgeoning interest in composition.
Faculty: Professionals in the Field
The lifeblood of Friends Seminary’s music program is its faculty—a team of accomplished musicians who bring real-world experience to the classroom.
- Dr. Brian Levels (Dr. B), a versatile musician who has performed in Broadway productions and collaborated with the New York Philharmonic and small opera companies. He serves as adjunct faculty at various colleges in addition to teaching at Friends.
- Danny Stagnitta, a Middle School teacher, performs regularly with his band at local venues.
- Nikara Warren, a vibraphonist with two albums to her name, introduces students to this unique instrument. She's the granddaughter of living Jazz legend Kenny Barron and directs Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Middle School Jazz Academy band in Brooklyn.
- Sarah Kim, a violinist with Broadway experience, inspires with her technical mastery.
- Jonathan Weisbrot, the Lower School music teacher, enriches his classroom with insights from his work as a saxophonist.
- Emma Weiss, choral teacher, has musically directed at regional theaters all across the country, most recently in Alaska, including award-winning NYC venues like Radio City Music Hall, Joe's Pub, and 54 Below.
These educators’ dual roles as performers and teachers inspire students and demonstrate the possibilities of a life enriched by music.
A Community That Resonates
Music education at Friends Seminary is more than learning notes and mastering instruments—it’s about fostering collaboration, empathy, and community. Students discover how to work together in ensembles, supporting one another’s growth and learning the value of teamwork. From fifth graders playing their first notes to Upper School students navigating complex pieces, music becomes a space where individuality meets collective harmony. Whether helping a peer master an instrument or contributing to a shared performance, students learn the importance of mutual respect, resilience, and communication. This foundation prepares them for challenges far beyond the classroom, teaching essential life skills like collaboration, problem-solving, and the ability to navigate diverse perspectives—all within a supportive and inclusive environment where creativity and connection thrive.
For students and faculty alike, music at Friends is more than a subject—it’s a shared journey that echoes far beyond the classroom. As Dr. B states, “Music has the power to change lives. Even when things aren’t going well, music offers a way to make your day better and connect with others. That’s what keeps me coming back.”
Friends Seminary actively promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in all its programs and operations, including admissions, financial aid, hiring, and all facets of the educational experience. To form a community which strives to reflect the world’s diversity, we do not discriminate on the basis of race or color, religion, nationality, ethnicity, economic background, physical ability, sex, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation. Friends Seminary is an equal opportunity employer.
Friends Seminary — the oldest continuously operated, coeducational school in NYC — serves college-bound day students in Kindergarten-Grade 12.
