Meet the Four Counts and Quarter Notes
The AdventHealth School of the Arts has a longstanding tradition of fostering artistic excellence and creativity. Since its inception, the school has enriched the lives of its community through a diverse array of classes, camps, productions, and performance groups, with over 8,500 registrations to date. Among these, about 470 registrations have been for the Four Counts or Quarter Notes.
Owing to the program’s popularity and the high quality of its training and performance opportunities, many students choose to re-enroll for multiple years. Seniors leave the program with a profound foundation of art artistic skills and fostered a lifelong passion for their craft, empowering them to continue their creative pursuits long after graduation.
Each group consists of dedicated actors who meet weekly at the Dr. Phillips Center. Some members are passionate about dance, while others may be drawn to music or theater. (Most are triple-threats and love all three!) The Quarter Notes consist of middle school students, while the Four Counts are made up of high school students.
Group selections are held at the beginning of the school year for new and returning participants. All hopeful members undergo a multi-step audition process, then 40+ actors are chosen per group. This process will help build two exceptional groups of eager performers who are dedicated to the group’s performance responsibilities and excited to refine their skills.
Inside Look at the Elite Performance Groups
The end of summer marks a new school year and a new season for the Four Counts and Quarter Notes. Each group gathers for weekly rehearsals to prepare for upcoming performances throughout the school year. In the past, these performances included participating in Downtown Orlando’s MLK Parade, the Winter Park Christmas Parade and the annual Applause Awards held at the Dr. Phillips Center.
Other local opportunities may pop up during the year as well. A memorable moment for the students was performing with The Downtowners, a senior choir group from Lutheran Towers, led by local music director and Quarter Notes artistic director Tim Hanes.
As a bonus, the Four Counts and Quarter Notes will frequently join masterclasses led by industry professionals. Various subjects may include voice, dance, or an exciting lesson in audition prep. Some trainings are taught by local professionals from major entertainment companies like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and Florida Theatrical Association. Additional sessions have been led by visiting artists like Broadway stars (and hometown heroes) Michael James Scott and Jasmine Forsberg.
The wide range of opportunities often leads students to be accepted into esteemed BFA programs. Seniors auditioning for these college programs have a 90-95% success rate of being accepted. And, many of the members have been cast in professional productions. Just last year, two performers from the Quarter Notes joined the cast of Disney’s The Lion King with one member joining the Broadway cast and the other member joining the National tour.
How to Join the Fun
Four Counts and Quarter Notes auditions are held near the end of summer break. Members are asked to submit a vocal audition. From there, some will be invited to advance to a dance callback and an in-person interview. Students can prepare for next year’s audition by joining classes or Broadway masterclasses held at the AdventHealth School of the Arts. The movement, music and theater classes are designed to teach artists of all levels to improve their skills. (Plus, they’re super fun!) Join the Dr. Phillips Center email list to stay updated on future classes and performance opportunities.