The recent Fine Arts Trip to NYC.
Art
How will my child’s art be exhibited? In addition to hallway exhibits throughout the year, there is also an annual Evening with the Arts that brings elements of our art, music and theater programs from grades 4-12 all together for an art exhibit and performance of music and theater.
In which grades may my child take art? How many days a week is art provided? Art is available in all grades. Younger grades have art once a week. In the middle school it eventually becomes an elective, allowing for daily art for those students who make art one of those chosen courses. Art is also an elective in high school, where courses are available to take art all four years, including courses in general art, paint and photography.
Are Fine Arts graded? - Yes, in most cases, but not based on talent. Rather grades are earned based on Effort, Participation, Attitude and Following Instructions. Any child who does what they are supposed to do, when they are supposed to do it, should make a good grade.
Can my child participate in Fine Arts in addition to other extra curricular activities? Yes. Many students in athletics and other extra-curricular offerings are also involved in a music ensemble or drama or art, and some even in all of these. While it is true that you can’t do everything all the time, students are able to be involved in a wide variety of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.
Music Academy
Can my child stay in Extended Day and leave for Music Academy lessons? Yes. Extended Day is a separate program with separate billing, but details can be worked out with those in charge of that program.
What is the best age to begin taking music lessons? The old “it’s better late than never” definitely applies here. Beginning age differs based on the maturity level of each individual child, but in general, as soon as a child can read, they are ready to begin piano. For the very young children, either piano or violin are the best instruments to start with, followed by guitar. Voice training is best gained through chorus participation until late middle, early high school, and is most effective after the onset of puberty.
When are lessons given? Lessons are in the after school hours, primarily between 3:00 and 5:00. Not everyone can have the 3:00 slot, but we do our best to meet schedule requests as explained on the registration form.
How long are the lessons? Each semester has a package of twelve 30 minute lessons.
What types of lessons do you offer (what instruments)? Piano, guitar, voice and violin are the most popular, but we also make arrangements for teacher of other band instruments as there is interest. In fact, band students taking private lessons enjoy more success in thier band class experience.
Do you rent instruments? Instrument rental is available from several local suppliers that we work with.
Does my child need an instrument to learn? Yes. Since practice between lessons is critical to success, each student should have access to their instrument on a daily basis.
Does a keyboard work for piano? Yes and no. A piano student can use a keyboard if it has full size, weighted and touch sensitive keys, and at least a sustain pedal. Ideally it should have a full 88 keys, although in the early stages fewer keys could work.
Who are the teachers and what are there qualifications? All instructors have been interviewed and auditioned for their musicianship skills by the Music Academy Director, and submitted resumes and references demonstrating music performance and pedagogy credentials. Most have at least a Bachelor’s in Music and many have advanced degrees as well.
Music
Do you have to audition to be in a performance group? In the 4th-9th grades there is not an audition for chorus. In high school chorus auditions begin with the 10th grade. There is no audition for band, but there is a meeting with the director to determine what instrument best suits each child’s natural gifts. Band instruction begins in the 6th grade.
In which grades may my child take music? How many days a week is music provided? Music is available in all grades. Younger grades have music once a week. In the middle school it eventually becomes an elective, allowing for daily band or chorus for those students who make music one of their chosen courses. Chorus and band are also electives in high school all four years.
If my child is "tone deaf", should they even bother trying to take choir? It is so rare that anyone is truly “tone deaf” that it should be assumed they are not. What is commonly misunderstood to be “tone deafness” is a simple lack of vocal coordination due to the lack of training and experience. Until they take choir for a year, a person cannot know what their true potential is, in the same way that a child who has never been taught how to dribble and shoot a basketball can know they are not potentially a good basketball player.
Are Fine Arts graded? - Yes, in most cases, but not based on talent. Rather grades are earned based on Effort, Participation, Attitude and Following Instructions. Any child who does what they are supposed to do, when they are supposed to do it, should make a good grade.
Can my child participate in Fine Arts in addition to other extra curricular activities? Yes. Many students in athletics and other extra-curricular offerings are also involved in a music ensemble or drama or art, and some even in all of these. While it is true that you can’t do everything all the time, students are able to be involved in a wide variety of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.
