Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart’s Music Department is a performance-based program that offers a diversity of programming and provides many opportunities for individual growth within a collaborative setting. We strive to ensure that every student feels welcomed and feels safe to be themselves, take risks, and challenge themselves as they strive for excellence.
Our Music ensembles include our SHA Chamber Singers, Chorale, String Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Advanced and Introduction to Musical Theatre, as well as Intro to Dance and Dance Ensemble. We also offer smaller group and individual lessons for Piano, Voice, Guitar, all band and stringed instruments, and songwriting.
Highlights:
- All SHA music classes put the student first. We strive to make students feel welcomed. Our music courses are performance-based, and incorporate many of the IB philosophies as well as Franciscan values.
- Repertoire is chosen to reflect themes throughout the year and to allow students to understand not only the notes on the page, but the history, the social impact, the inspiration, the theory, the message, and the creativity that music has.
- Several students participate in All-County Festivals and NYSSMA solo festivals.
- Each year, SHA students are invited to All-County and NYSSMA Area All-State Ensembles.
- Each year, SHA students are invited to perform with the Buffalo State University Honor Band.
- Our SHA Chamber Singers, Wind Ensemble, and String Ensemble have a history of success at NYSSMA Majors Music Festivals.
- All five ensembles earned top two finishes at the Darien Lake Music Festival, for the past two years
- SHA Chamber Singers were featured at a Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Spotlight Concert in previous years and the String Ensemble performed at Kleinhans Music Hall.
- Our students often perform in venues throughout Western New York in an effort to share our love of music-making with others. Including community outreach, performing at local hospitals and non for profits. SHA Chamber Singers were featured at the Christmas House lighting for Grace Guest House during the holiday season in 2024.
- Each year, SHA theatre students attend the NYSTEA theatre conference. This weekend conference in the Catskills focuses on expanding their knowledge and talents through a variety of workshops in acting, singing, dancing and theatre technology.
- Our fall Musical productions have been an elevated experience for all cast and crew members since the addition of Ms. Lisa Ludwig to our artistic team, and our desire to perform in local professional theatres such as Canterbury Woods Performing Arts Center and Shea’s 710.
- Recent Shows include: Mamma Mia, Grease, and The Wizard of Oz.
- Our Spring Play allows any student at SHA the opportunity to learn more about their role as a cast or crew member in a staged production and helps develop confidence, leadership, responsibility and artistry. Opportunities to act as a student director are also available for upperclassmen.
- Extra-Curricular activities include Music Ministry, Drama Club, Dance Club, Coffee House, Arts Week.
