Trimester Arts Choices

Visual and Performing Arts

In middle school, students deepen their personal creative expression and develop more sophisticated techniques through specialized elective courses in visual and performing arts. The offerings are designed to develop areas of expertise, personal expression, and interest. Courses are generally one trimester in length and focus on specialized media or engage students actively in the studios and theater. Because students work in both the visual and performing arts, they benefit from a wide variety of arts experiences throughout their middle school years. Students can also elect additional opportunities to work in the arts through both our in school and after-school elective program.

Music

In Harmony: Musical Skills and Self-Expression
Instrumental and vocal ensembles have included West African drumming, guitar ensemble, acoustic instrument ensemble, “pop icons” band, and chorus.

Music courses are offered as part of the arts as well as the elective program; they involve theory as well as practice. Classes balance the building of musical skills with an invitation to be expressive and creative. Recent music course offerings have included jazz, songwriting, global music, the blues, electronic music, and percussion.

Individual instrumental and vocal instruction is conveniently available through the adjunct music program.

Theater Arts

Tying the Arts to Core Subjects
Theater arts classes reflect a three-fold approach. The first is experiential—creating opportunities for students to revel in the joys of creative expression. The second is pragmatic—training students in acting, voice, and movement techniques. The third is academic—integrating classroom studies where possible and developing plays and characters based on those themes. Themes in theater class often parallel the subjects studied in the humanities. Movement, improvisation, character development, and theater games give students a sense of the richness and enjoyment of performance.

Theater offerings include playwriting, technical theater, direction, and acting. Classes emphasize technique, process, and performance, and foster skill development and artistic expression. Through our partnership with Star 2-B, middle school students have the opportunity to participate in a full-scale theatrical productions in the school’s James Earl Jones Theater.

Visual Arts

An Arts Program in Which to Create and Explore
Art classes encourage self-expression and develop techniques in a wide range of media. Perceptual and conceptual visual and technical skills are developed in ways that incorporate the elements and principles of art with instruction in the use of varied and specific media. Projects are based on historic and contemporary artworks, providing a context for students’ own expressive work.
Visual arts themes include drawing, painting, printmaking, digital video, digital photography, and public art. Classes challenge students to work individually and collaboratively to produce creative solutions to artistic problems. In painting class, students expand their technical and expressive skills beyond the foundations established in the lower grades and display work throughout the year. Students in digital video learn the major elements of filmmaking, including writing, directing, filming, and editing. Students also use photography and filmmaking skills in a variety of courses throughout the academic program.