Arts

The Arts Department

Our curriculum encompasses the visual, musical, and dramatic arts. Visual art courses encourage self-expression through studio projects that include painting, ceramics, wire sculptures, and photography. In music, emphasis is placed on learning creative processes through listening, composition, performance, and improvisation. The drama program offers a dynamic setting for boys to explore their social and emotional depths. Students are guided to channel this exploration into self-expression, character development, directing, and performance.

Mrs. Pierce, Middle School Teacher

Each boy knows he can be more than any one thing. US teaches boys they can try it all and allow all parts of their personalities and passions to thrive to become multifaceted humans.

Fifth Grade

Boys learn the fundamentals of four arts disciplines: visual art, music, drama, and design technology. In art, endeavors include free-style drawing, watercolor painting, and clay molding. Students explore both instrumental and vocal music, and all fifth graders are part of the full-class chorus and either band or orchestra, allowing them to interact with music in new and collaborative ways. In addition, boys may choose to expand their musical pursuits in the String Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, or High Tops Choral Ensemble. In drama, boys practice the fundamentals of acting, connect with the group as an ensemble member, and soak in a variety of theatrical forms from Melodrama to Modernist. In design technology, students experiment with their original ideas and create them in three dimensions using a wide variety of design and fabrication tools. Boys work with design software and learn to use everything from hand tools for woodworking to 3D printers and laser cutters in both our traditional woodshop and innovation lab.

Sixth Grade

Boys further their exploration of visual art, music, drama, and design technology in sixth grade. Visual art challenges and motivates students with projects centered on self-expression. Studio projects include painting, drawing, ceramics, wire sculptures, print-making, mosaics, and photography. Boys explore art’s role in social justice and advocacy. In music, boys rehearse techniques with a repertoire encompassing diverse cultures while studying music theory, history, and composition. Sixth-graders may join the String Orchestra, Band, Jazz Ensemble, or High Tops Choral Ensemble. In drama, boys discover the body movements, voice, and emotion needed to create a character, using a variety of scripted and non-scripted methods to create tension and atmosphere on stage. The Middle School presents two shows a year, giving boys the opportunity to bring their theater lessons to a real production. In design technology, boys bring ideas to life in three dimensions using a variety of software design and fabrication tools. Students expand their use of hand tools for woodworking, 3D printers, and laser cutters in both the woodshop and innovation lab.

Seventh Grade

Boys travel through four art disciplines in seventh grade: visual art, music, drama, and design technology. Visual art projects include painting, drawing, ceramics, wire sculptures, print-making, mosaics, and photography, with each providing a challenging opportunity for choice and self-expression. There is a focus on observational drawing techniques such as shading, color-blending, and creating three-dimensional drawings. In music, boys rehearse techniques with a repertoire encompassing diverse cultures while studying music theory, history, and composition. Boys may join the String Orchestra, Band, Jazz Ensemble, and High Tops Choral Ensemble. In drama, boys explore texts from Shakespeare to contemporary, using this variety to grow their skills in voice, gesture, and staging. Boys will present monologues, duologues, and small group scenes. The drama program stages two productions a year, encouraging students to further expand their skills. In design technology, boys bring ideas to life in three dimensions using a variety of software design and fabrication tools. Students expand their use of hand tools for woodworking, 3D printers, and laser cutters in both the woodshop and innovation lab.

Eighth Grade

Boys explore visual art, music, drama, and design technology in eighth grade. Visual art projects include painting, drawing, ceramics, wire sculptures, print-making, mosaics, and photography, and boys will create portraits and learn about logo design. Boys are stretched to reflect on and create art that is personal and meaningful to them. In music, boys rehearse techniques with a repertoire encompassing diverse cultures while studying music theory, history, and composition. Boys may join the String Orchestra, Band, Jazz Ensemble, and High Tops Choral Ensemble. In drama, boys are expected to become masterful actors and theater-makers, delving deeply into characterization, directing, and staging. A culminating experience is a presentation of a monologue boys analyze, stage, and perform. The drama program produces two shows a year, encouraging students to embrace a larger stage. In design technology, boys bring ideas to life in three dimensions using a variety of software design and fabrication tools. Students expand their use of hand tools for woodworking, 3D printers, and laser cutters in both the woodshop and innovation lab.