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.
Vocal Music News
Six Hill Vocal Music Students Selected for ACDA Eastern Region Honor Choirs
The Hill School is proud to announce that Juliana Duarte '27, Emma Murray '27, Charlotte Ebsworth '28, Juss Smiley '28, Jeewoo Kim '29, and Ray Chiang '29 have been accepted into the 2026 American Choral Directors Association (ADCA) Eastern Region Honor Choirs.
On February 28, 2026, these talented students will join their peers from across the region in Providence, Rhode Island, where they will rehearse under the guidance of renowned conductors and present concerts on February 28. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to these six students for this remarkable accomplishment.
The selection process was highly competitive, with high school vocalists from 11 states—Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland / Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont—submitting auditions for this prestigious opportunity.
Our students will perform in three distinct ensembles: Juliana, Emma, and Charlotte have been placed in the SSAA Choir alongside the region's top sopranos and altos; Jeewoo and Juss will join the Contemporary A Cappella Fusion Choir as soprano 1 and tenor 2; and Ray will sing in the Gospel Choir as bass 2. This year marks the debut of the Contemporary A Cappella Fusion Choir, making Jeewoo and Juss part of this ensemble's first cohort—a particularly noteworthy distinction.
The Hill School's performing arts groups - Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Chorus, Hilltones, Hilltrebles, and Dance Company - performed at The Advent Health Waterside Stage at Disney Springs on February 10, 2025.
Vocal Music Performances
Enjoy the sounds of our talented student-vocalists in the videos below! All concerts held on campus are free and open to the public; concerts in the CFTA are livestreamed here.
2025-26 Concert Schedule:
March 22, 2026 Carnegie Hall Concert
April 8, 2026: Inter A Cappella Concert — The Hilltones and The Hilltrebles at the Haverford School
May 1, 2026: Spring Performing Arts Concert (CFTA)
Courses Offered:
- Chorus (term course, graded or non-graded)
- Chamber Choir (Advanced Audition Choir; year-long, graded or non-graded)
- The Hilltones & The Hilltrebles (Auditioned a cappella ensembles)
- *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: Make Your Beat & DJing (term class; can be taken all year long)
More information is available on our Arts Courses and Requirements page.
Additional Vocal Performance Opportunities:
- Vocal Lessons: Students may sign up for private, weekly music lessons with adjunct music faculty.
- Afternoon Arts Program: Varsity-level musicians may participate in the Afternoon Arts program, which includes daily practice, afternoon lesson availability, and the opportunity to prepare for auditions. Recent Vocal Music students in the Afternoon Arts programs have written original songs and produced Eps. The Afternoon Arts program culminates in a term-end recital.
- All State Choir & National Choral Festivals: Hill Vocal Music students can audition for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association’s (PMEA) choir and a cappella festivals. In recent years, our students have represented The Hill in District, Regional, and State Festivals.
- Artist-in-Residence/Guest Teacher Series: The Hill School Arts faculty invites guest artists to come and work with Hill student by discipline throughout the year. Vocal Music students have worked with professional singers and music arrangers in workshops and special concerts.
Meet Our Oaklawn-Tuttle Director of Vocal Music:
Yoon Soo Lim P’17 ’18, Athey Family Master Teacher of the Arts and Arts Department Chair
Yoon Soo Lim joined The Hill in 2014, bringing with her a passion for music education and a student-centered approach to learning. As the Arts Department Chair, she oversees the artistic vision of the school while continuing to direct Hill's four vocal ensembles and teach Music Theory and Digital Music. Additionally, Mrs. Lim coordinates the Afternoon Arts Program, further enriching the school's artistic offerings.
Mrs. Lim's dedication to fostering dynamic learning environments is evident in her innovative teaching methods, which emphasize collaboration and creativity. Her commitment to education was recognized in 2013-14 when she was named a Teacher of the Future by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
With music degrees (B.M. and M.M.) from Temple University, Mrs. Lim's musical expertise spans piano, music history, and conducting. She has studied under renowned instructors such as Alan Harler, Gail Poch, and Luis Biava. Her commitment to continuous learning is reflected in her Kodály methodology certification from Westminster Choir College and the University of St. Thomas, as well as post-graduate choral conducting studies with Joseph Flummerfelt, James Jordan, and Katalin Kiss.
Over her 25-year teaching career in colleges and private schools, Mrs. Lim has nurtured countless students, inspiring them to become lifelong music advocates, both as performers and audience members. Her choirs have had the privilege of performing with prestigious ensembles including The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, and The Philly Pops Orchestra.
Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Lim enjoys guest conducting and collaborating with colleagues worldwide, expanding her musical horizons and bringing fresh perspectives to her students. When not immersed in teaching or music, she finds joy in cooking, listening to diverse genres of music, and spending quality time with her family. Her passion for music extends to her personal life, where she indulges in DJing, creatively blending her classical training with contemporary musical expressions.