Curriculum: Arts

Visual Arts

The visual arts program is based on mastering the basic principles and techniques of the arts vocabulary as building blocks for creative work in various disciplines. Sixth graders engage projects in 3D, 2D, and design. In seventh grade, this work with 3d, 2D, and design continues with the addition of model building. In eighth grade, students are offered a range of electives ranging from 2D art through ceramics and jewelry, sculpture, and architectural drawing. Photography and printmaking are other choices at this level.

Dance/Drama/Technical Theatre

Dance students explore the fundamentals of movement with an emphasis on individual and group improvisation and the elements of composition. Drama students dive into the basic principles of acting including focus/concentration, character study, collaborative work, improvisation, and scene study. Our technical theatre course introduces students to technical theatre production. All middle school students have an opportunity to participate in these areas of study as well as the middle school arts festival, the winter dance concert, and the middle school musical.

Music

The mission of music at Fieldston Middle is to challenge our students through an active, hands-on, student-centered, musical education to seek their highest potential in body, mind, and spirit. Since music and all of the arts are unique in their ability to engage students in all three of these areas simultaneously, we consider middle school music to be a core academic subject that holds a central place in the curriculum and in the life of the school. In addition to learning basic music theory, history, and performance practices, students learn how to express themselves constructively and appropriately within a large group, use analytical thinking to solve real problems, practice ethical behavior through increased sensitivity gained from exposure to music, and the arts in general and gain a lifelong appreciation for music.

The music program provides every student in 6th and 7th grade and those who choose to continue in 8th grade with a hands-on learning experience, not simply exposure through general music classes. Students in 6th grade choose an instrument or voice and study it for at least two years learning basic skills needed to perform in a large ensemble. Entering 6th graders can choose a new instrument or continue on one they have already studied. Beginning study is only offered in 6th grade only on the following instruments: voice, violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drums.

The following instruments are offered only with approval from the Fieldston band director and consultation with the student and parent: oboe, bassoon, French horn, baritone horn.

Students who study music at Fieldston Middle are in one of three groups. Those who study voice are in Chorus. If a student studies violin, viola, cello, or double bass, he or she plays in the String Orchestra. Musicians playing flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone horn, or drums play in the Middle School Band. All groups meet in small sectionals twice per week and as a full ensemble once per week. An Advanced Music class is offered for band students who perform at a consistently high level. There are two main Middle School concerts each year, the Middle School Arts Festival Winter Concert in late January and the Spring Middle School Concert in either late May or early June.