Arts

Middle School Arts Program

Visual Arts

The goal of the Middle School art program is to develop students' understanding and enjoyment of art, craft, and design.  In their weekly classes, students use a wide variety of tools and techniques to explore work in two and three dimensions.  They experiment with printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, drawing, painting, and textiles.

Frequently we incorporate class and school-wide themes into our art projects.  We aim to develop students' visual literacy through on-going discussion about their own work and that of others.  Visiting art galleries and museums incorporates first-hand study of artwork from different cultures and time periods.  Throughout the year, students develop their imagination and strengthen their skills of observation and self-expression.

Performing Arts

General Music

As in the lower school, learning through hands-on music-making and creating one's own music remains at the core of the general music program. Based on the philosophy and practices of Orff-Schulwerk, student's music education is characterized by experiences moving, speaking, singing, and playing on specially designed "Orff" instruments such as xylophones, metallophones, and glockenspiels.

The nurturing of the whole musician who can hear, feel, understand and physically express music is another key factor to the Orff approach. Because the learning process is active rather than abstract, their total educational experience is enhanced. The social dimensions of group music-making are also a central quality of the music program.

Actively learning through the pieces they play, students experience music theory, as well as the cultural contributions music has made throughout history. The curriculum is organized topically: 6th grade studies World music and dance, 7th grade, Western music traditions and Composition, and 8th grade, Jazz and Blues from the Swing Era to the present day. These topics determine the repertoire of pieces to be learned and also constitute the academic core of the year's study.

Choral Music

Performing with a choir gives students an opportunity to sing with a large group. They develop stronger musicianship skills, experience reading a score, and sing in two and three-part harmony. It is also an environment in which students can extend their singing skills as well as their aural skills. Since its start in 1999, the Choral Music program has grown in size and interest as well as skill level allowing for higher expectations and a more sophisticated repertoire. The Middle School Choirs meet once a week for a 45 minute rehearsal. Students from the Middle School Choir can also audition for a spot in the Honors Choir. Honors Choir is a six person choir that sings SSA music with only two students on a part. We are proud of our recent addition of a Middle School Boy's Choir. It meets for a 20 minute rehearsal once a week.

The Winter and Spring Choral concerts provide a venue for students to share their work. Students are introduced to a wide variety of repertoire as each concert focuses on a particular style of music with a focus around the school wide theme. Students have performed Jazz, Blues, Folk, Classical, and Multicultural Music in the respective languages. The Choirs have also successfully taken on a more visible role in the surrounding community in the past few years. Starting in the 3rd grade, the choirs perform with Music in the Parks at Disneyland. Students sing for judges and get feedback and awards for their performance. The choirs have placed first within their choral category as well as Best Overall. The Upper Elementary and Middle School Choirs have also been awarded the Espirit de Corps Award several times. This award is given to the school that best exemplifies respect for the art, other participants in the competitions, support for one another, and demonstrates an all around positive attitude.

Drama

Drama is an art form through which students develop awareness and empathy, heighten their perception and cognition, learn to manipulate language and movement, and improve their ability to function comfortably in front of others. The middle school drama program is both process and performance oriented. Students participate in creative dramatics, improvisation, and all aspects of theatrical production.

This year's productions include:

Fall Elective Production: Peter Pan

6th Grade Play (Winter): Good News

7th Grade Latin Play (Spring): Middle School Musical

8th Grade Graduation Play (Spring): A Midsummer Night's Dream

Dance

All students at The Willows have the opportunity to participate in our dance program. Students may elect to participate during our Wednesday elective periods or after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students learn the basic elements of dance, practice combinations, and explore the building blocks of choreography. We encourage all students to participate regardless of their previous experience or level of expertise.