During a year in which our vocalists have demonstrated both grit and creativity, FRA had five upper school singers achieve top  honors in mid-state/all-state choir auditions. Each of these students submitted aural recordings for their respective auditions, and then a second video for the virtual choir projects that will showcase the finalists in concert. Those virtual concerts will be released in February for you to enjoy. Congratulations to these students on their outstanding work and accomplishments! 

This year's Christmas band concert features the seventh and eighth grade advanced band, upper school jazz ensemble, brass ensemble, saxophone quartet, flute and violin duo, rhythm section, and brass quintet. Students showcase their talents by performing holiday classics including "Deck the Halls," "Ode to Joy," "The First Noel," "Let it Snow," and many more. We would like to thank Bob Chandler and David Dawson for their work to create this special video presentation.

The Upper School Service Club, in partnership with the FRA Parent Association, is excited to announce the 2020 Christmas Toy Drive to benefit the Nashville community. In lieu of our fall Service Saturday, we will be asking all of our students to consider donating a toy to benefit GraceWorks Manger program. The drive will run from Monday, December 7 through Friday, December 11.

On Friday night, we had two very special visitors on our campus–Santa and Mrs. Claus! Families were able to drive around campus for a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt, all while enjoying cookie treats, light displays, and seeing Prince the Panther. Each child had the opportunity to visit Santa and drop off a Christmas wishlist. We hope you enjoy these beautiful Christmas photos with Santa.

Click here to view the gallery.

We are excited to continue our annual tradition of bringing you the joys of the season with our presentation of "Cocoa & Carols". Click here to enjoy these holiday performances brought to you by our talented middle and upper school students.

The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is 98 year-old tradition that started with President Calvin Coolidge. This annual event takes place on The Ellipse, just south of the White House, and features live musical performances from a variety of artists. This year, 2005 FRA alumna Melodie Malone will perform at the ceremony with her group Passion. The group has sold over two million units and released their first Christmas album this year.

Congratulations to the following students for being inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society this week: Georgia Austin, Lexi Cole, Thomas Daniels, Stanley Davis, Harrison Douglass, Natalie Gillum, Sarah Hawkins, and Noah Parrott.

"Paul Sposato is our president and brings Tri-M membership history from his former school in Peoria, Illinois," Bob Chandler, our director of instrumental music, said. "Tri-M requires students to be active in a school music ensemble, with grades no less than A, and no grade below a B in all other subjects. Tri-M also requires community service for membership. We are proud of our new members!"

Seniors Khalia Sanders, Jessie Huddleston, and Emily Gardner earned All-District honors, and both Gardner and Huddleston were named All-Region. Jesse Huddleston and Emily Gardner earned district awards for their play this season. The team will lose five impressive seniors so will look to build and grow in the off-season. Huge congratulations to this group of seniors and all that they have accomplished over these four years. Proud of the growth and leadership they showed both on the court and off.

The Franklin Road Academy robotics team, the RoboPanthers, competed in a tournament hosted by Brentwood Academy this weekend. The final round featured FRA RoboPanthers Team 97934X versus Team 97934U, with Team X winning the final competition 29-6.  

Congratulations to Team X members Caleb Huddleston (12), William Roberts (12), Addy Carroll (12), Reilly Robinson (11), and Bailey Bonde (9) for their first place finish and to Team U members Garrison Harold (12), Critter May (12), and Claire Conley (11) for their second place finish.

Click here to watch the live stream video from the tournament.

Congratulations to the following students who were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society today. We're proud of your hard work and dedication to knowledge, scholarship, character, citizenship, and service.