Arts
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The Right Notes in NOLA
Our Advanced Band recently returned from a whirlwind musical adventure in New Orleans, LA. Burke musicians and faculty took part in the JENerations Jazz Festival and annual Jazz Education Network (JEN) conference, which spans "research, technology, jazz industry and music business, improvisation, composition," and more. Students explored the cultural and food scenes, performed and played onstage, and absorbed the city's vibrant jazz history.Read More -
Wintertime Revelry
Read MoreVocal Music
On Saturday, December 13, 9th grade singers took part in the Cathedral Choral Society's annual concert, led by conductor Steven Fox. As a featured high school ensemble, led by vocal music faculty Gen, the group performed outside the National Cathedral before the show, enjoyed the full concert, and led singalongs with the full chorus and brass ensemble.
Pictured are Jazz B. '29, Elana D. '29, Ellie K. G. '29, Sana R. '29, EC R. '29, Ella W. '29, Maya W. '29, Neptune W. '29, Anabelle Y. '29, and Leah Z. '29, with chaperone and alto extraordinaire Shazia W. P'29. -
Cast Announcement: The Prom
This winter, our largest cast in recent memory will bring The Prom to Burke. Known for its 2018 Broadway run and 2020 Netflix release, The Prom centers on "four eccentric Broadway stars [who] are in desperate need of a new stage. When they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they know that it's time to put a spotlight on the issue ... and themselves." Save the dates: March 5-7 and 13-14.Read More -
Ending on a High Note
Read MoreOn the final Wednesday of the trimester, singers in the Fall Vocal Ensemble and Singing in the Spotlight classes collaborated with Advanced Band on an evening of vocal music. And in the trimester's last assembly, Band 9/10 played us into the break with abundant energy and musical aplomb. -
Lights Up on Flashpoints
This fall in the Samara Studio Theater, 9th-12th grade performers and production crew will mount four different plays, all examining flashpoints in the recent history of civil rights in the United States. Save the performance dates: November 7-8 and 14-15.Read More -
Fall Plays: flashpoints in the history of civil rights
Read MoreHigh School Fall Plays:flashpoints in the history of civil rightsco-directed by Kamilah S., Director of Civic Engagement at BurkeDear Harvey
By Patricia Loughrey, music by Thomas HodgesWith selections from:- Every 28 Hours Plays
- Facing Our Truth: Ten Minute Plays on Trayvon, Race and Privilege
- Until the Flood by Dael Orlandersmith
Mandatory first rehearsals: Monday and Tuesday, September 8 and 9 at 3:30 PMPerformances: November 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2025 at 7 PM -
Vivid & Varied Vocals
Our vocal music courses wrapped up the trimester (or the year!) at the spring showcase on May 22. Divided into two acts, the packed evening began with Diving In 6 (the 6th grade's performing arts survey course) and the 7th & 8th Chorus; the second act featured the spring HS Chorus and Singing in the Spotlight, performing ensemble and solo work. Musicians from Advanced Band provided live accompaniment.Read More -
Life is the Bubbles!
Congratulations to the cast and crew of the middle school's The Little Mermaid Jr. on a heart-warming, uplifting performance weekend. With 27 actors and 10 crew members, plus production support from the high school, our final show of the year was a community-wide (under the sea) experience. Special shout-out to the 8th graders taking their final bows as middle schoolers and we look forward to your future performances.Read More -
Announcing: 2025-26 Theater Season
Read MoreFall Repertory: Flashpoints for Activism | Grades 9-12November 7-8 and 14-15Dear Harvey
By Patricia LoughreyMusic by Thomas Hodges -
On Stage Around Town
Our Intermediate 9/10 and Advanced 11/12 Bands will perform at Pearl Street Warehouse at The Wharf DC on Monday May 5 at 6 PM. This debut continues more than 20 years of Burke bands performing in the community at local clubs, which have included Blues Alley and The Carlyle Room.Read More -
Cast Announcement: The Little Mermaid
This spring's middle school musical, Disney's The Little Mermaid JR., will be a true community endeavor, with nearly half of 6th-8th graders taking the stage. Mark your calendars for May 16-17 and prepare to venture under the sea.Read More -
Class Spotlight - MS & HS Arts
Off The Wall ArtRead MoreStudents in Kay C.'s Advanced Digital Media 11/12 course added an interactive element to the 2nd floor Commons this month. Passersby can use their Burke iPads to scan the QR code under each image to trigger an augmented reality (AR) experience, which lets us "see the real-life environment right in front of us with a digital augmentation overlaid on it."Pictured: image triggers by Maria R. '26 and Willem O. L. '26. -
Our Favorite Things ...
.. definitely include musical theater and spectacular ensembles. The Sound of Music opened on Friday, March 7, and sold out its two-weekend run.Read More -
Step Into the Spotlight
Read MoreTo conclude the fall trimester for the performing arts, Singing in the Spotlight performed a wide array of solo and ensemble vocal pieces, featuring Maya D. '26, Claire J. '28, Ekkoh K. '26, Paige M. '26, Izzy M. '28, Ollie P. '28, Lana P. '26, Gigi R. '28, Taylor S. '26, Shaan T. '28, and Natalie W. '28, with guest Asher Z. '26 (guitar). -
Now Playing: The Crucible Repertory - November 7-16
The Performing Arts Department will conjure up the Salem witch trials with two plays inspired by Arthur Miller's The Crucible (1953): John Proctor is the Villain by Kimberly Belflower on November 7-9 and Abigail / 1702: A Twice-told Tale by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa on November 14-16.Read More -
Ready to Rock
In the final week of May, 62 student musicians from five Burke bands performed 21 pieces from myriad musical genres – including songs by Dizzy Gillespie, Etta James, the Beatles, Joan Jett, and Bruno Mars.Read More
Speaking of numbers, six musicians performed on three or more instruments, including a modular synthesizer! -
Sounds of Spring
Our vocal music classes concluded their performance season on May 23, singing for a capacity crowd in the theater. Opening with the 7th/8th Combined Chorus, the concert also featured High School Chorus, Taylor S. '26 (representing the new Songwriting class), and the debut of "Diving In," the 6th grade performing arts survey class.Read More -
The Sun Comes Out On Stage
On May 16-18, the Middle School performed an uplifting, sold-out run of Annie Jr., the Broadway staple about a resourceful young orphan (Leona K. '28) and a guarded, but benevolent billionaire (Jessica B. '29) amid the Great Depression in New York City.Read More -
Tunes Around Town
In early May, the intermediate and advanced Burke Bands headed down to the Carlyle Room on I Street NW, where they performed to a substantial crowd of family, friends, and music enthusiasts. Enjoy clips from the performance here:Read More
List of 7 events.
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Student One Act Plays (SOAP)
Location: Hobbes - Theater - 263/Thtr -
HOLD: Fashion Show
Location: Hobbes - Theater - 263/Thtr
Co-ed, progressive, college prep school in Washington, DC featuring a challenging curriculum in an inclusive environment for grades 6-12.
4101 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20008 | Phone: 202-362-8882 | Fax: 202-362-1914