Visual and Performing Arts

Visual and Performing Art

Fine Arts

All students will create and discuss artwork, using the Elements of Art as our building blocks. We will explore composition and design and incorporate the Principles of Design into our lessons. Students will learn about and employ the Studio Habits of Mind and art class will facilitate opportunities to create and solve artistic problems and challenges. Students will try, practice, and achieve new things as they improve skills and express themselves.

Art class will strengthen cross-curricular connections, build literacy skills through observing and talking about art, and by writing about students' own ideas and artwork. Students will explore various art making modalities, while learning about art history, contemporary artists and movements, and various cultures. Students will make valuable connections as they learn to investigate, question, and judge art and build their own portfolios. Students will learn how to display their artwork, how to discuss or write about their work, and build a portfolio that will showcase their progress and individuality. Students will explore careers and opportunities to incorporate art into their lives as they learn about community resources and connect with artists in the community. Students learn to care and preserve art materials and maintain a clean and positive workspace for themselves and others.
 

Music & Performing Arts

The Presentation School’s Performing Arts program is designed to develop an appreciation of all performing arts including music, chorus, and theatre arts productions. All students will engage in the age-appropriate study of Music Theory, history, and genres

Lower School Music Philosophy

Music classes inspire creativity and an intellectual curiosity for the Performing Arts while igniting all areas of child development for school readiness, including intellectual, social-emotional, language, and overall literacy. Dancing to music fine tunes their motor skills while encouraging imagination and self-expression, while vocal performances promote discipline and memorization skills. Students develop math and pattern-recognition skills as they explore Music history, genres, and elements of theory.

Upper School Music Philosophy 

Students build on the skills and knowledge they have acquired and strengthen the foundation of a lifelong relationship with Music and the Performing Arts. Improv and drama games encourage students to take risks and step out of their comfort zone, as they continue to learn about the emotional, historical, and cultural significance of Music and the Arts throughout the world. Vocal technique, harmonic and rhythmic skills and confidence are nurtured through concerts, plays, and small ensemble work on rhythm instruments. Sight-singing is introduced and students are encouraged to reflect and share their emotional and spiritual responses to a wide range of musical styles and genres.

“The fact that children can make beautiful music is less significant than the fact that music can make beautiful children.” —Cheryl Lavender, composer and music educator

Music ignites all areas of child development and skills for school readiness, including intellectual, social-emotional, motor, language, and overall literacy. It helps the body and the mind work together. ... Dancing to music helps children build motor skills while allowing them to practice self-expression.

Performing Arts

The Presentation School welcomed back our in-person student theater productions, Spring 2022, with the performance of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”. The performing arts program enables students to explore their talents and interests. The student-centered productions focus on educating students on acting techniques, dance, choir, stage crew, set design, costuming, and stage makeup & hair. Students learn theater etiquette, such as how to be part of a cast and work as a team.  Each year our students bring alive classics such as Oklahoma, Peter Pan, and Guy and Dolls!

Past Productions:

2022 Production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

2017 Production of Oliver!

2016 Production of Oklahoma

2015 Production of Into the Woods