We are thrilled to present this year's middle school musical, Annie Jr. We would like to offer special thanks to Annie Ernst, Brian Myers, The Tennessee Titans, Jeb Johnson, Kimberly Moulds, Bethany Dinkel, Jennifer Schraw, DaJuana Hammonds, Aliya Wisinski, Miriam Gaines, Julia Nolan, The Pull-Tight Players, Derek West, Matt Davenport Productions, Cindy Thornton, Amanda Gibbs, Ross Bolen, and Brenda Jewell. 

We would also like to thank all of our wonderful cast members and their parents for the dedication and commitment to making this show possible.

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.

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!"

FRA Junior, Spencer Guy, was selected as a member of the Tennessee All-State Band, which was to begin this week, and end with concerts on Saturday at Opryland. After months of preparation and auditions on trumpet, the Tennessee All-State experience was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Spencer deserves a big congratulations still. We are proud of his accomplishments!

Each year, Franklin Road Academy presents the Frankie Awards to recognize students for exceptional work throughout the year in fine and performing arts. It is our pleasure to announce the award winners for the 2019-20 school year.

Click here to see the full list of winners

Senior Sabrina LaFaye, who had six pieces of art displayed at Cheekwood as part of the Scholastic Arts Competition, will have two of those pieces displayed at Carnegie Hall in New York! Sabrina plans to attend Tulane University to take classes in architecture, life science, and art as she looks to pursue either architecture, medical illustration, or both!

Congratulations to Spencer Guy, FRA trumpeter, for his selection to the 2019 Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts. Spencer, who is an FRA All-Midstate musician, auditioned and was offered a full scholarship to attend the GSFTA.