Tabor instrumentalists fill out a variety of ensembles and are provided the opportunity to form chamber groups as well.  They perform in different venues across campus as well as in honors ensembles at the Southeastern District, Massachusetts All-State and All-Eastern Music Festivals.  Our instrumentalists have performed with the greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.  A great percentage of the players take lessons with the twelve private music instructors who are on campus throughout the week.  Students are heard performing in chapel, at All-School Meetings in the various recitals around campus and even at the Beebe lounge.  Tabor is proud of its instrumental program and provides unlimited opportunity for just about any level student to study, practice and enjoy the art of music.

Instrumental Ensembles

The Wind Ensemble is comprised of woodwind, brass and percussion players.  The group performs repertoire ranging from the marches of Sousa to the Suites of Gustav Holst.  The Wind Ensemble explores varying genres from the early Baroque transcriptions to the modern film and television scores.  Emphasis is on quality tone production, intonation, blend and balance.  The students in the Wind Ensemble are often supported by the private lessons that are provided by our fine staff of adjunct teachers.

The String Ensemble is a balance of violinists, violists, cellists and bassists.  The flexibility of this group affords a wide range of compositions to be performed.   Most recently, the String Ensemble performed works by Mozart, Haydn, Brahms, Rossini and Andrew Lloyd Webber.  A typical String Ensemble rehearsal includes scales, work on intonation, vibrato, bow control and great number of aspects of ensemble playing.  We are fortunate to have fine string teachers coming to Tabor to offer private lessons during the school day.

The Jazz Band is a full big band that meets once a week.  Students are required to audition and the group is limited by the instrumentation of the arrangements.

The Jazz Combo is a small jazz group that is based upon the improvisational tradition of American Jazz.  Students are required to audition as the number of players is based upon improvisation skills.

Private Music Instruction

Lessons are offered on all woodwind, brass and percussion instruments as well as piano and guitar.  Students are scheduled for lessons once a week and they have ample opportunities to perform throughout the school year.

Music Major I and II

A comprehensive theory and musicianship class, Music Major I is open to any student who is serious about improving as a musician.  Music Major II is open to any student who has taken Music Major I or has the consent of the instructor.

Instrumental Performance Venues

Chapel meets twice weekly and instrumentalists are vibrant part of the program. Whether it is the full String Ensemble playing a movement or a solo pianist playing a piece, there are numerous opportunities for musical performance at this venue.   Recent performances have ranged from a faculty led jazz quartet to bugle calls at the Memorial Day service.  The Chapel is a special place on campus and often resounds with festive as well as contemplative music.

All-School Meeting occurs every Friday and is a venue for an eclectic array of musical groups.   The full Wind Ensemble has played there, as have all of the jazz ensembles. Often, student organized groups or student soloists will perform.

The Fireman Performing Arts Center is filled to capacity as the String Ensemble, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band stage the annual Winter Concert.  The program is a combination of seasonal arrangements mixed with challenging repertoire that delights the audience and stretches the abilities of the musicians.  The concert ends with the Jazz Band playing music that is always very well received.

Music Alternative Recitals are scheduled three times each year.  As a part of the after school Music Alternative program, instrumentalists and vocalists perform solo pieces that they have been working on, with the help of their private instructors, all season.  Some of our most musical moments have been at these recitals.

The Wind Ensemble and the String Ensemble presents with the Mixed Chorus in an evening Spring Concert for the entire school community that is one of the highlights of the spring term.

Small instrumental ensembles, the Chamber Choirs and the A Cappella groups perform in a delightfully interesting Chamber Recital program that blend of classical and popular repertoire of Chamber Recital offerings the second week of May.  The Jazz Combo is a featured group on this program.