Music at Mount St. Mary Academy
Our Music Programs have become a beloved staple among the students at Mount St. Mary Academy. We are proud to offer both co-curricular programs and lessons within the students’ academic coursework.
From beginners to seasoned players, all students are welcome to join any of our Music Programs as a way to celebrate creativity, community, and confidence through a wide variety of performances and hands-on learning.
The Mount St. Mary Academy Marching Band
The MSM Marching Band is the only all-girls high school marching band in New York State!
The marching band features instrumentalists, dancers, and twirlers to create a one-of-a-kind experience not found at any other all-girls school in the area. Mount St. Mary Academy is proud to allow young musicians to cultivate their musical talents with the ability to travel with their close friends.
For the 2025 – 2026 Academic Year, over 35% of the Mount St. Mary Academy student body participated in the marching band.
Since their establishment in the Fall of 2002, the MSM Marching Band has performed all over the United States and internationally, including both the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Tartan Day Parade in New York City, Walt Disney World, Washington, DC, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships to the Bahamas. Locally, the band has performed at various events around Western New York, including the Ken-Ton Memorial Day Parade, the Niagara Electric Lights Parade, the Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival, and the Lewiston Peach Festival.
For more details or to feature the MSM Marching Band at your upcoming event, please contact Ms. Reilly Brouillard, Director of Instrumental Music, at rbrouillard@msmacademy.org.
Jazz Ensemble
The Mount St. Mary Academy Jazz All-Stars are a performance group that rehearses during the school day. As an academic course, students will learn about improvisation and distinguishing musical styles in addition to the important role jazz plays in the history of music. Members are given the opportunity to perform at the annual Darien Lake Competition, Music is Art, and additional gigs offered throughout the year.
String Ensemble
The Mount St. Mary Academy String Ensemble meets after school twice a week (time and day are decided after the initial meeting at the beginning of the school year to best fit the schedule of those participating). All are welcome to join, although prior experience is encouraged. The ensemble performs at the annual Christmas and Fine Arts concerts in addition to competition depending on the experience level of the group from year to year.
Concert Band
All are welcome to perform in the Mount St. Mary Academy Concert Band. The concert band rehearses during the school day and performs at the annual Kaleidoscope: Concert in the Round, Sweets & Treats Themed Concert, and Fine Arts Week Concert. Each concert focuses on specific themes that tie into the understanding and execution of music performance. Students receive one lesson a week built into their schedule to provide one-on-one instruction to cater learning material to where they are in their music education journey. NYSSMA and ECMEA participation is encouraged for advanced students but not required.
Gemtones Choir
The Gemtones are the advanced choral group here at Mount St. Mary Academy. The group is made up of all auditioned members.
We participate in community activities such as seasonal caroling, tree-lighting ceremonies, Veterans tribute concerts, and any special event or liturgy we are called upon to lead. Aside from sharing our voices for community service and leadership in school liturgy, we also perform concerts with traditional, musical theatre, and pop choral styles. Each member of the Gemtones receives individual vocal lessons as part of their classwork. We participate and sponsor our annual Coffee House Vocal Performance fundraiser and reception, and our annual formal Vocal Recital. We also proudly elect student officers to assist in the organization of our vocal group each academic year.