Music & Theatre
Since 2003, Bethany Institutions has produced 11 Musical Theatre Productions, each of them raising the bar of excellence every time, due to which even the critics call Bethany, ‘Bangalore’s best kept secret!’ The Music & Theatre department spear-head these bi-annual, mega productions and that is testament of the energy, commitment and passion of the Department to promote performing arts alongside academics. There are students who apply to Bethany every year, with the express intention to be part of the next Bethany Musical Production! Please remember that these productions are entirely put together by Bethany students and teachers – and we are a regular School, not a ‘performing arts school’!
Bethany High Musical Timeline
The Musicals are what the general public know about, but the Bethany parents will tell you more about how a daily Assembly at Bethany can be compared to the annual day of an average school. Or how elaborately curated Valedictory Ceremony, Founder’s Day services and other events are a class apart, artistically and thematically curated to bring out the best talent in the school and to inculcate life-lessons that chisel the young personalities. Worship music is also a part of Bethany’s culture and the Bethany Choir and live band lead this genre regularly in the school. The Music Department functions across 7 Bethany Institutions and also run the 2 school auditoriums in Bethany Koramangala & Bethany Sarjapur.
| YEAR | MUSICAL | THEME |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Jungle Book | No man is an island, No man Stands alone |
| 2005 | Smike | Don’t let life get you down |
| 2007 | Yo Sista | You can make a difference |
| 2009 | Under da sea | Following your dreams |
| 2011 | Aladdin | Diamond in the rough |
| 2013 | Shrek | Beautiful isn’t always pretty |
| 2015 | Pippin | Life is a stage, choose wisely |
| 2017 | Madagascar | Wild and free |
| 2019 | In the Heights | Paciencia y fe (Patience & Faith) |
| 2022 | School of Rock | If only you would listen |
| 2024 | Big Fish | Dream, Live, Love – BIG! |
CHOIR
The Bethany High Senior choir is the backbone of almost every Bethany program and has carved out a reputation for itself. Apart from being an indelible presence in every Musical, the choir has also performed regularly at the Christ University ‘Magnificat’ Festivals and Teacher Foundation events at the Indian Institute of Sciences. Previously, the Choir has won a 75.33% Silver Diploma Rating at the 2018 Singapore International Choral Festival (SICF) which had 64 choirs from China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, Canada, Poland, Indonesia and the Philippines. The enior Choir was also invited to the ‘Festival of Festive Music’ at the National Center for Performing Arts, Mumbai.
BIG FISH – Bethany High Musical 2024
BIG FISH, was Bethany High’s 11th musical and it was a spectacular showcase of compelling acting, unbelievable vocals, and the live band comprising of 3 students, 4 music teachers and an alumnus, attempted the most difficult and ambitious live music score attempted by a Bethany Production and managed to do it so flawlessly.
The uniquely designed stage-set straddled both a recreation of a wooden river pier, seamlessly supported by 3 LED walls. The realistic vibe that the real stage Sets + LED walls created, added such authenticity to scenes like the witches lair, a giants cave, a circus, a field of daffodils and a city that submerged in a flood! Another unique feature of the stage set, was that the Choir and the live-band were incorporated into the set, and could be seen at all time – adding to the live performance idiom of the production!
The choir elevated the music and songs to another level. The edge-of-the-seat choreography and gymnastics set the stage afire. The musical featured 148 superbly talented Bethany students and teleported the audience into a world of fantastical proportions.
Based on a novel by Daniel Wallace and the BAFTA nominated 2003 Columbia Pictures film, directed by Tim Burton, BIG FISH was about telling stories and some of the catchphrases will resonate with all of us for a very long time: ‘Life Begins when you know how it ends!’, ‘Start over – tomorrow begins today’ and ‘True knowledge is knowing the extent of one’s ignorance’!
Drama & Western Music – 3rd Elective, ICSE Std X
Bethany is one of the few ICSE schools worldwide that offers Drama and Western Music in the IX – X STD. The Subjects lead up ICSE Board Exam papers with weightage given to practical work also.
The Drama syllabus explores theatre starting from Greek history, Actor- Audience relationships, Directorship, technical aspects and everything in between taking a story from the ‘page to the stage’.
The Western Music Syllabus covers an in-depth study of the families of instruments, Classical Music composers and Analysis, Jazz to other modern genres, their composers and even a section on Electronic Music and DAW used by DJ’s and Studio environments.
Simply The Best Concert, Oct 2023
‘SIMPLY THE BEST’ – was a Live Concert Recording experience! (20th Oct 2023 at the Bethany High Auditorium, Koramangala.) As part of the 60th Year Celebrations at Bethany, an idea was mooted to capture the phenomenal music talent that is so prevalent in Bethany. One thing led to another, and a Concert materialized. 54 Bethany Students, (singers & instrumentalists, aged 4-18) performed over 25 songs with curated lighting and high-quality live audio. Also featured were, the Music dept. teachers, Bethany Alumni & Bethany Parents! Watch out for ‘Simply the Best II’ with a unique Choir + rock band format.