Vocal Music

The Hill School Chorus and Chamber Choir meet during the academic day, giving students the opportunity to perform consistently throughout the week. Each program is designed to allow students with the skill, desire, and commitment to become excellent singers.

It also provides those students with more experience and skills an environment where they can get instruction in music reading and vocal technique, while experiencing a variety of literature, which will include lighter and contemporary repertoire. The courses may be taken as a graded or non-graded courses. Students interested in participating in the vocal program must request the desired course on their schedule in the summer, rather than fall, to avoid scheduling conflicts.

Versatile students can be involved in multiple performing vocal ensembles and it is not uncommon to be in both instrumental and vocal groups. Musicians are given the opportunity to receive a graded credit for their participation within a vocal ensemble by electing to perform before a jury each list.

Talented Hill vocalists have the opportunity to audition for various choral festivals throughout the academic year.

Courses Offered

  • Introduction to Singing: Build Your Confidence
  • Chorus (term course, graded or non-graded)
  • Chamber Choir (year-long, auditioned course, graded or non-graded)
  • Hilltones (select a cappella male ensemble)
  • Hilltrebles (select a cappella female ensemble)
    • *Any student enrolled in a vocal class is eligible to audition for a select a cappella ensemble.
  • Music Theory and Harmony (Advanced option, year-long)
  • Digital Music

View course descriptions in our Course Catalog.

Yoon Soo Lim P’17 ’18
Oaklawn-Tuttle Director of Vocal Music and
Athey Family Master Teacher of the Arts

 Ms. Lim arrived at The Hill in 2014. She directs Hill’s four vocal ensembles and teaches Music Theory, Digital Music, and Speech classes. A firm believer in student-centered learning, she dedicates her time building dynamic learning environments, which incorporate collaboration and innovation. Ms. Lim enjoys guests conducting and working with colleagues worldwide. In 2013-14, she was named as a Teacher of the Future by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). 

Ms. Lim holds music degrees (B.M. and M.M.) from Temple University where she studied piano, music history, and conducting with Alan Harler, Gail Poch, and Luis Biava. She is certified in four levels of Kodály methodology from Westminster Choir College (Princeton) and University of St. Thomas.

For more than 22 years, Ms. Lim has been teaching in colleges and private schools, educating students to become lifelong music advocates as performers and audiences. Throughout her teaching career, she has enjoyed working with many children, youth, collegiate, community, and church choirs who have performed with The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, and The Philly Pops Orchestra.

Ms. Lim has continued post-graduate choral conducting studies with Joseph Flummerfelt, James Jordan, and Katalin Kiss at Westminster Choir College and University of St. Thomas.

When she is not teaching, she enjoys cooking, listening to music, and spending time with her family.