Fine Arts
Click on a course name below to view more information.
6TH GRADE
The Fine Arts program in sixth grade is part of an elective wheel offering opportunities for nine-week courses in Art, Dance, Drama, and Music. Students may opt to take Middle School Beginning Band in lieu of the above for a year commitment. Students have the opportunity to display work on campus and in the annual Middle School Art Exhibition.
Level: 6th grade
Length: Nine weeks
Description: Art 6 2D allows students to experiment with various mediums and techniques to develop observational and technical skills in drawing and painting with a focus on developing a 2D art practice. Students will become familiar with the principles and elements of design and how to implement them into their artwork.
Level: 6th grade
Length: Nine weeks
Description: Art 6 3D allows students to experiment with various mediums and techniques to develop observational and technical skills in drawing and painting with a focus on developing a 3D art practice. Students will become familiar with the principles and elements of design and how to implement them into their artwork.
Level: 6th grade
Length: Nine weeks
Description: This class introduces students to basic principles of dance and movement. Students participate in many styles of dance such as jazz, modern, musical theater, hip-hop, as well as learn and integrate conditioning modalities to support skill acquisition and injury prevention. This class also introduces students to improvisation, choreography, and performance.
Level: 6th grade
Length: Nine weeks
Description: Students learn about the different aspects of theater, such as communication skills, ensemble-building, audience etiquette, story adaptation, puppetry, pantomime, masks, characterization, and stage production. In addition, they are encouraged to begin examining the artistic work of themselves and others in objective, insightful, constructive ways through both written and oral critique.
Level: 6th grade
Length: Nine weeks
Description: Music 6 provides students the opportunity to sing and play instruments, including non-pitched and pitched percussion instruments (i.e. drums, xylophones, and glockenspiels), guitar, and ukulele. Vocal training involves solfege practice, vocal exercises for technical development, and singing in unison and parts. Our repertoire is drawn from world music sources, traditional choral music, American and other folk sources, popular music, and musical theater repertoire.
Level: 6th grade
Length: Year
Description: This course is designed to familiarize students with a fundamental knowledge of music to assure sound musical growth. Middle School Beginning Band will be open to woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Students will begin by learning aspects such as rhythm, melody, tempo, dynamics, harmony, texture, tonality, timbre, form, style, and mood. These elements of music contribute to a greater musical product and provide a deep understanding of each student's respective instrument. The curriculum will focus on the development of musical skills through performance and practice.
7TH GRADE
In the 7th grade, students experience four courses in the Middle School Elective Wheel. The Wheel includes nine-week courses: Explorations in Dance 7, Explorations in Drama 7, Explorations in Instrumental Music 7, Explorations in Visual Art 7 2D, Explorations in Visual Art 7 3D, Explorations in Vocal Music 7, and Robotics 7 (see Technology & Innovation). Additionally, students may opt to take Middle School Concert Band or Middle School Chorale in lieu of the above for a year commitment.
Level: 7th grade
Length: Nine weeks
Description: This course allows students to explore movement and dance styles. Dancers and non-dancers alike will enjoy the physical expression of this art form. Through ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop students can explore the world of dance in a safe and fun environment. Students also learn dance vocabulary and are encouraged to partake in dance events on campus.
Level: 7th grade
Length: Nine weeks
Description: This course allows students to explore the art of theater and verbal communication and start to harness their individual power as performers. Students learn different storytelling techniques, theater vocabulary, and are guided out of their comfort zone towards the freedom of expression as they participate in scene work and creative writing for the stage.
Level: 7th grade
Length: Nine weeks
Description: This course allows students to experience instrumental music. It provides the opportunity to play instruments, including non-pitched and pitched percussion instruments. This course is for the students who are curious about playing an instrument and for those with some instrumental background. Motivated instrumentalists with prior classroom experience are encouraged to take Middle School Concert Band.
Level: 7th grade
Length: Nine weeks
Description: In this course, students learn basic techniques and concepts, emphasizing the elements and principles of design. Students gain studio experience in multiple media through the creation of both 2-D and 3-D works. Art production is enriched through art criticism, aesthetics, and art history. Students have the opportunity to participate in art competitions and the annual Middle School Art Exhibition.
Level: 7th grade
Length: Nine weeks
Description: In this introductory 3D art course, students will experiment with various mediums, such as clay, watercolor, and cardboard to create 3D art pieces. Students will learn how to communicate and critique each other's work effectively. Additionally, students will learn the history and terminology of various 3D mediums. They will be graded on their ability to follow instructions, as well as their efforts during class put into their artwork. Students have the opportunity to participate in art competitions and the annual Middle School Art Exhibition.
Level: 7th grade
Length: Nine weeks
Description: Vocal training involves solfege practice, vocal exercises for technical development, and singing in unison and parts. With an emphasis on musical theater repertoire, performers will be able to participate in small performances together. Additional repertoire is drawn from world music sources, traditional choral music, American and other folk sources, and popular music. Highly motivated singers are encouraged to take Middle School Chorale.
Level: 7th grade
Length: Year
Description: The Middle School Concert Band is open to woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Middle School students will perform a variety of literature that will acquaint them with basic concepts such as reading music, intonation, breath control, rhythm, time signatures, key signatures, musical terms, music theory and the art of performance. The main focus of the curriculum is on the development of technical and musical skills.
Level: 7th grade
Length: Year
Description: Middle School Chorale is a performance-based course for students who love singing and would love to learn how to sing. Students will focus on singing technique, singing harmony, reading music notation, and performing. Students will sing a variety of choral literature, representing all genres of music. Students will have the chance to showcase their work in our choral concerts and may perform for community and school events.
8TH GRADE
Students in the eighth grade take a semester of Fine Arts (or in the case of music, a semester or a year option is available) and may select their preference from the options listed below.
Level: 8th grade
Length: Semester
Description: This course is for students who seek experience in drawing, painting, and printmaking. The course combines art production with experiences in art history, criticism, and aesthetics. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for Visual Arts courses in the Upper School.
Level: 8th grade
Length: Semester
Description: In this introductory 3D art course, students will focus on working with clay to make functional and sculptural pieces. We will experiment with handbuilding techniques such as coil, hard slab, soft slab and pinch methods. Students will learn how to communicate and critique each other's work effectively and learn the history and terminology of ceramics. This is an experimental class and students will be urged to take risks. They will be graded on their ability to follow instructions, as well as their efforts during class put into their artwork. This curriculum is designed to prepare students for Visual Arts courses in the Upper School.
Level: 8th grade
Length: Semester
Description: This is a participation-based course that introduces students to the foundations of dance technique, and is designed for students interested in pursuing dance in Upper School. Through creating, performing, and responding to dance, 8th grade students further develop skills in dance technique, anatomical alignment, self- awareness, coordination, strength, and personal artistry. Students participate in a variety of dance forms such as jazz, modern, ballet, theater dance, and hip-hop while discovering small portions of the histories pertaining to the style. Students explore the basic elements of improvisation, composition, rhythm, performance, and choreography.
Level: 8th grade
Length: Semester
Description: Students learn about the different aspects of theater, such as movement, voice, improvisation, characterization, and oral or written critique. Students channel their creativity into both published and original performances.
Level: 8th grade
Length: Semester
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
Description: Theater Ensemble serves as an exploration into advanced acting techniques, including self- directed creation and devising original work. Students learn various techniques and styles including Laban, Shakespeare, and Site-specific theater. Students may be asked to perform on campus or in the community.
FMMS11 Middle School Concert Band (.5 credit), Semester 1
Level: 8th grade
Length: Fall Semester or Year (This course is available as a semester course in the Fall only, but a year-long commitment is encouraged.)
Description: The Middle School Concert Band is open to woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. Middle School students will perform a variety of literature that will acquaint them with basic concepts such as reading music, intonation, breath control, rhythm, time signatures, key signatures, musical terms, music theory and the art of performance. The main focus of the curriculum is on the development of technical and musical skills. Students who wish to take the class for only Fall semester must select FMMS11.
FMMS21 Middle School Chorale (.5 credit), Semester 1
Level: 8th grade
Length: Fall Semester or Year (This course is available as a semester course in the Fall only, but a year-long commitment is encouraged.)
Description: This choral music class focuses on singing technique, part-singing, reading music notation, and developing choral repertoire from sacred and secular literature. This includes popular songs, world music, musical theater, and traditional choral music. Students may be asked to perform on campus or in the community. Students who wish to take the class for only Fall semester must select FMMS21.