Howard W. Blake School of the Arts

Blake is the only premier high school of the arts in Tampa, offering a rigorous curriculum in both academics and the arts. Our 50 million dollar facility includes a black box theatre, proscenium theatre, professional art gallery, private practice rooms, four art studios, TV-video studio, costume shop, technical theatre scene shop, and three dance studios. All of the fine arts faculty are professional artists, bringing real world experiences and a high level of expertise to the classroom.

Students have received hundreds of scholarships to the most prestigious colleges and art institutes including, Julliard, Boston Conservatory ,Ringling, Savannah College of Art and Design, Pratt, Harvard and Stetson, just to name a few. Students achieve high GPAs due to the large number of Honors and AP Classes that are offered and major curriculum tracks include Band, Chorus, Drama, Guitar, Harp, Creative Writing, Dance, Drama, Journalism, Musical Theatre, Orchestra, Piano, TV/ Film, Technical Theatre and Visual Arts.

 

Choral Department

The Howard W. Blake Choral program is dedicated to providing outstanding musical enrichment and learning opportunities to all students throughout Hillsborough County. Through the study and performance of musical literature, choral students develop musical artistry, poise, self-confidence, and self-discipline.

The Choral program is comprised of high select group of students grades 9-12 and maintain strong reputation both locally and on the national level. Students at Blake have had the opportunity to sing in the National Cathedral in Washington D. C., Perform for Governor Jeb Bush, and were recently ranked third in a National Festival held in New York City.

Alan Blake Conley, Director

Alan Blake Conley, a native of Tampa, FL, is in his third year as Director of Choral Activities and Director of Piano Studies at Howard W. Blake High School of the Arts. Mr. Conley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music education from Concordia College, Moorhead where he studied with René Clausen and was the recipient of the Paul J. Christiansen Choral Award. He was awarded a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting at the University of South Florida where he studied under Robert Summer and Richard Zielinski and served as the assistant conductor of the USF Chamber Singers. An active member of the American Choral Directors Association, the Florida Music Educators Association and the Florida Vocal Association, he is heavily involved with choirs as both vocalist and conductor.