Knightly News

With the official set from “Shrek the Musical, Jr.” behind them and a giant storybook before them, Episcopal fourth graders presented “Shrek the Storybook” in the Visual & Performing Arts Center.  The performance had all the trappings of the recent Middle School production, with lights, audio, dancing and singing. Lower School music teacher Jordan Tupper was thrilled with the younger students’ efforts. “This gives them an idea of what it feels like to do musical theatre,” says Tupper. “They are performing for a full house of people who love them.” 

Tupper says the experience is designed to get everybody to try something new. “We’re here to participate and give them every opportunity to do that,” he says. This is the third year that fourth graders have performed their version of the Middle School production, and Tupper says the results are positive, with more fifth and sixth grade students participating in the full musical.

Building a Music Education Foundation

A whole-child educational experience includes diverse learning opportunities like Lower School music education. In addition to music, Lower School students rotate through an exciting variety of enrichment subjects, including religion, art, library, and fifth grade coding and robotics. Beginning in PreK-3, Tupper introduces musical concepts to all Lower School students, with lessons building as students progress. Students attend music class once a week for 40 to 45 minutes, and each grade level has a learning objective. Tupper intentionally coordinates with homeroom teachers to enhance and support project-based learning units. Below is a glance at some of the themes for each grade level this year.

• The youngest Knights are introduced to sounds, how to make them and how to create steady beats.
• First grade students study orchestras, composers and storytelling in music.
• Second graders study many forms of world music, which complements the World Around Us lessons later in the year.
• To complement the annual Louisiana project-based unit, third graders study the blues, Cajun music and French heritage along with instrumental music like recorders.
• Fourth graders learn about musical theatre and performing with ukuleles.
• Fifth grade students go more in-depth with music composition, writing and recording a musical composition dedicated to their little buddies.

Tupper remains focused on the National Standards of Music Education to ensure students have a solid music foundation to build upon; however, Lower School music education stretches beyond the music curriculum. Tupper considers Morning Meeting and chapel an extension of his classroom, providing regular opportunities for students to participate. In these settings, Tupper keeps the music simple with few instruments in hopes that students eventually gain the confidence to sing independently of him.

Bringing Musical Concepts to Life

“Oh, this is real!” As Episcopal fourth graders prepared to take the stage for the first time, everything they learned started to make sense, and they realized they were part of a production. Throughout the first quarter of the year, fourth graders focus on musical theatre, learning the history of musical theatre and the components needed to organize a production. As the storybook performance approached, students learned more about the purpose of the performance and the emotions of the characters involved. Students discussed the audience and what to expect. To inspire the young performers, Tupper stressed the importance of the fourth graders setting a good example for their little buddies in attendance. “They rise to the occasion,” he says with pride. 

As the fourth graders took their bow under the lights, it was clear that they had learned a lot about musical theatre. Watching students achieve such a feat in a community that supports the arts is exciting, and we can’t wait to see the Lower School music offerings ahead.

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2025-2026 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.