Middle School Arts

Visual Arts

In sixth grade, students have the opportunity to express, create and develop skills using a variety of painting, drawing and sculptural media. They undertake individual and group projects in class that allow them to explore theory and perspective, basic techniques of application and design and art history. When projects are completed and displayed, students participate in class discussions about their work.
 
In seventh and eighth grades, students learn basic art techniques and skills through work with various materials and media. They gain practical experiences in drawing, painting, sculpting, printmaking and 2-D and 3-D design, and are exposed to art history and appreciation. The program is designed to accommodate both beginners and accomplished students.
 

Music

Middle School students study music history and theory and learn to read music. They listen and learn to recognize music from many of the world's different cultures and to appreciate the differences in style and composition. They explore the lives and music of various period composers to develop writing and listening skills. They also study the instruments of the orchestra: how they are made, what they sound like and the roles they play in orchestral performance.

Students may also take private lessons in instrument and voice, as well as participate in chorus and band or the string ensemble.

Drama

The annual Middle School drama production is a highlight of each school year. Students are welcome to participate in drama, an activity that meets each afternoon for several weeks leading up to a production. Students take part in acting exercises, practice their lines, and prepare sets. The productions are fun, but complex. Recent plays include:

• Nothing But The Truth
• Bottom of the Lake
• It's All Greek to Me
• The Adventures of Perseus
• Canterbury Tales
• Taste of Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet and The Tempest
• Nothing but the Truth
• Pain Scale
• Hoodie
• Pandora's Fire