Music Program
From our youngest to our oldest students, music is an integral part of our school's program. Our Early Childhood students, from Transitional Kindergarten through grade 2, all take classes in music. Through these classes, they explore vocal and instrumental music, music history, music theory, ear and rhythmic training, and styles of music. By the time CBA students begin our Intermediate School program in grade 7, they are ready to make informed decisions regarding electives in music. Students may choose to take music courses for all three classes of their Arts Block or a single one.
Private lessons in voice and instrumental music can be taken outside of school, and students who play instruments are invited to partake in our orchestra and band classes beginning in Intermediate School. CBA does maintain strong local studio partnerships should parents need advise on where to pursue after-school supplemental lessons. Our teachers work to select music that provides an adequate challenge and fun experience for each student regardless of their level of ability. Students in grades 7 and over do need to bring their own instruments to school if they choose to take these electives. We have storage space for students to safely keep their instruments at school during instructional hours in our two beautiful music studios.
Throughout the year, our musicians have many opportunities to perform: in talent showcases, for choral performances, in the pit for our spring musical, and at our seasonal concerts. Our students can also partake in NYSMA, All County, and All State performances should they choose to do so and successfully become invited. Our music teachers can help guide our music students toward community opportunities for performance and growth in their field as well.
Just like the rest of CBA's students, our music students are prepared for any path they choose to take moving forward beyond CBA. Our rich course offerings in the Upper School allow them to pursue a collegiate education, either in music or any other area of passion. However, these same rich course offerings ensure a level of readiness for a professional career in music coming straight out of high school that is not generally found. We understand that not all of our students will choose to pursue a collegiate education, and we seek to ensure that our students are prepared for whatever their next step is after graduation.
Private lessons in voice and instrumental music can be taken outside of school, and students who play instruments are invited to partake in our orchestra and band classes beginning in Intermediate School. CBA does maintain strong local studio partnerships should parents need advise on where to pursue after-school supplemental lessons. Our teachers work to select music that provides an adequate challenge and fun experience for each student regardless of their level of ability. Students in grades 7 and over do need to bring their own instruments to school if they choose to take these electives. We have storage space for students to safely keep their instruments at school during instructional hours in our two beautiful music studios.
Throughout the year, our musicians have many opportunities to perform: in talent showcases, for choral performances, in the pit for our spring musical, and at our seasonal concerts. Our students can also partake in NYSMA, All County, and All State performances should they choose to do so and successfully become invited. Our music teachers can help guide our music students toward community opportunities for performance and growth in their field as well.
Just like the rest of CBA's students, our music students are prepared for any path they choose to take moving forward beyond CBA. Our rich course offerings in the Upper School allow them to pursue a collegiate education, either in music or any other area of passion. However, these same rich course offerings ensure a level of readiness for a professional career in music coming straight out of high school that is not generally found. We understand that not all of our students will choose to pursue a collegiate education, and we seek to ensure that our students are prepared for whatever their next step is after graduation.
Course Offerings in Music
- Early Childhood and Primary School
- Daily General Music Classes: covers instrumental and vocal music as well as music appreciation, ear training, and the basics of music history and theory
- Daily Theater-based Music Classes
- Intermediate and Upper School
- Daily Music Theory Classes
- Daily Music History Classes
- Daily Band/Orchestra Classes
- Daily Choral Music Classes
- Creative Electives in Music, such a stylistic vocals, composition, sight reading, and more
Staff Bios
Music Director: Mr. Scott ChatfieldScott Chatfield is a lifelong resident of Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, and has always had a great love of music. He has been a private music educator for over a decade. Scott attended Cornwall Central High School where he was awarded the John Philip Sousa Band Award for superior musicianship and outstanding dedication. After high school, Scott attended the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in music education. Following his time at St. Rose, he graduated from SUNY Empire State College with a Master’s of Arts degree in Learning and Emerging Technologies. Throughout his years of teaching, he has worked with and inspired students of all ages to pursue their musical dreams.
When not in the classroom or studying music, Scott can be found out and about playing gigs, by himself or with one of his various bands, all across New York and beyond. He enjoys playing a multitude of different instruments including saxophone, clarinet, flute, trumpet, trombone, guitar, bass, piano/keyboard, melodic, synthesizer, Ewi, and more! Scott is excited to work with the students of CBA and to share his passion and love for music. |
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Vocal Music: Ms. Erin Shafranek
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Meet Ms. Erin Shafranek, a seasoned performer with over 21 years of captivating audiences on stage. Her journey in the world of music began in choirs and evolved to include performances in musicals, operas, and plays. For the past 7 years, she has passionately shared her vocal expertise, teaching voice lessons across the nation, from Dallas to New York.
Erin earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Oklahoma State University, where her talent shone in a multitude of concerts, operas, and oratorios. She achieved her Master of Music in Opera Performance from the University of Houston, where she dazzled audiences with leading roles in English, Italian, and German operas. Her professional journey took flight as an Emerging Artist with Opera in the Ozarks. With a deep appreciation for diverse musical genres, Erin's repertoire spans from the grandeur of opera to the allure of musical theatre, pop, and jazz. This summer, she embarks on a European tour with the prestigious choir, The New American Voices. Among her cherished roles are Meg March in Little Women, Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro, and Hansel in Hansel and Gretel. Thrilled to collaborate with the CBA team, Erin is eager to embark on a harmonious journey of making music together! |
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