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Music Banner
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Arts
Music
Dive into the Arts
Music at Mercy
Whether your goal is to learn to play an instrument, to sing for the first time, or to advance to new heights of achievement, Mercy offers a wide range of vocal and instrumental music classes and opportunities.
Our students are engaged in a variety of musical activities, from singing during school masses and musical theatre performances to instrumental chamber ensembles and solo festivals.
Music lessons are taught during the academic day so students do not have to choose between musical interests and athletics, clubs, or theatre. Not surprisingly, many students are engaged in more than one area of study in the performing arts.
Music lessons are taught during the academic day so students do not have to choose between musical interests and athletics, clubs, or theatre. Not surprisingly, many students are engaged in more than one area of study in the performing arts.
Our music programs are housed in the Dismas Center for the Performing Arts. This state-of-the-art building includes practice rooms, a versatile black box theatre, an ensemble rehearsal room, choir rehearsal room, and 978-seat auditorium.
Our Lady of Mercy Performing Arts Facilities
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Black Box
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Auditorium
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Art Gallery
Instrumental Music
Mercy’s High School Symphony Orchestra performs much more often than the typical two concerts a year that is common at other area schools. Our Mercy Symphony performs at our Spirit Gala, Golden Mass, May Day Mass, Arts Festival, the Rochester International Lilac Festival, Mercy graduation, and at national music competitions in various locations such as: New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
Our three full symphony orchestras allow for many different instruments to be involved in the instrumental music program at Mercy. All students playing band or orchestra instruments are welcome. We also accept drum and piano players.
Our instrumental students also gain experience in performing in chamber ensembles at Open House, Gala, Mercy events, Masses, Mercy Pit Orchestra for our musical productions, and our Winter Workshop.
Individual performers also can choose to take advantage of the opportunity to perform at solo festivals throughout the school year to earn seats in All-County and Area All-State ensembles. Individual performers have opportunities to be soloists in Masses and featured performers at our Winter Workshop and at our Arts Festival.
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Instrumental Photo
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Awards & Recognition
High School Symphony Orchestra has repeatedly earned first place awards in the WorldStrides OnStage Music Festival competitions as well as being the recipient of Adjudicator Awards and Spirit Awards.
High School Symphony Orchestra members earn seats in the All-County Orchestra, All-County Band, Area All-State Orchestra, and Area All-State Band.
Several individuals have earned seats in the prestigious New York State Conference All-State Band and Orchestras over the years.
Vocal Music
All choir students in grades 6-12 perform in two concerts a year. There are opportunities for choristers to sing at school Masses throughout the year and at Mercy’s most beloved traditions, like Golden Mass and May Day.
The Mercy Show Choir and the McAuley Singers are often asked to perform for the Mercy Bridges 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, Christmas caroling throughout the community, and Mercy events, including Open House and the Mercy Spirit Gala.
Individual performers can participate in Solo festivals, the Winter Workshop, and the after-school musical theatre productions.
The high school produces a musical in the fall and the middle school produces a musical in the spring. High school students get leadership experience in direction and production under the guidance of Mrs. Gizzi and Mrs. Camacho by taking on the direction roles for the middle school musical.
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Vocal Photo
Vocal independent study is also offered for any senior student looking to pursue a major or minor in music, musical theatre, or technical theatre production.
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Awards & Recognition
The choirs in grades 9-12 have participated in national music festivals (such as WorldStrides and Festivals of Music) in NYC, Washington, D.C., Boston, and Philadelphia. They compete against schools from across the eastern seaboard. Both the McAuley Women’s Choir and the Show Choir have repeatedly won first-place awards in their category. Show Choir has received many overall outstanding choir awards. Judges' awards have been given to many of Mercy’s outstanding soloists at these competitions as well. The choirs have also had the opportunity to sing and celebrate Mass in a local parish of the city as well. These trips to competition also provide rich experiences in art, architecture, and professional performing arts in the area; for example, a Broadway show, national museums, and monuments.
The Fall musical students participate in the Rochester Broadway Theatre League Stars of Tomorrow Program and have received recognition for Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Ensemble, and Outstanding Stage Crew numerous times through the years.
Individuals choosing to participate in the NYSSMA solo festival have achieved acceptance into Area All-State and Conference All-State Choirs.
Performing Arts Faculty
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Photo Collage
Performing Arts Clarinets in Concert
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Photo Collage
Performing Arts Choir2
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Photo Collage
Performing Arts Clarinets
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Your Daughter Will Thrive at Mercy!
Begin the Journey Today.
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Phone: 585-288-7120 | Fax: 585-288-7966 | Email: info@mercyhs.com
© 2026 Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women.