Dear Spartanburg Day School Learning Community,

As I prepared for this week and looked out over the weeks following, I realized that we will have at least one major culminating experience for a grade level or division every week until graduation. I often speak of the cadence of school, and we are firmly in the climactic crescendo to school’s end. 

Nowhere was that more apparent than in last night’s Band Concert: SOAR. First, our fifth graders played six tightly designed songs as a starter band. They were disciplined, determined, focused, and unified – which is saying something for thirty-plus eleven-year-olds, many of whom picked up their instrument this year.

As we moved on to the Middle School Band, we learned that they grew in their musical competence by a factor of 2x and the music we heard confirmed it. It was more sophisticated and demanding, yet the students were joyful in their delivery. 

Finally, we heard from the Jazz Band and Upper School Concert Band, led by seven seniors who were celebrated at their last performance. Whether it was the solos they played or their band bios and future plans we heard this group of student-leaders clearly were both accomplished and eager to perform. In this culminating experience, our seniors manifested the purpose, confidence, and discernment we hope to develop in each and every child that enrolls at SDS. To see it in action over a two-hour period was to see our mission come alive. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

Sincerely,

Dave Skeen

Head of School