Middle School

Fine Arts

Our goal in the Fine Arts Programme is to expose students to the various branches of visual and performing arts and to encourage them to discover their artistic strengths. The Fine Arts programme offers a broad range of activities and opportunities for skill development.

Music is a core feature of the programme. All students are expected to learn an instrument and play in one of the two Bands (beginner and advanced). The students also attend weekly choir classes where they sing for pleasure as well as develop vocal technique and sight reading skills. Music theory classes are a place for investigating the inner workings of music, including pitch, rhythm, harmony, form and more. From time to time, a series of enrichment workshops will be held which explore musical themes such as African drumming or intensive instrumental workshops.

Other visual and performing arts are provided through the weekly enrichment programme. The drama programme culminates in a play or musical for each class. Professional actors coach the students and the plays are performed at theatres in Halifax (usually the Dunn at Dalhousie or The Studio at Neptune)

In concert with the drama classes, as part of the Art programme, we offer a Set Design unit. Each class works with a professional artist to create sets for their acting peers. They also rehearse and accompany one of the plays in the pit band. The students are exposed to other media such as portrait and life drawing, textiles, water colour painting and photography.

Dance is an exciting and dynamic aspect of our programme. Each year we offer a variety of opportunities for students to explore dance through such styles as African dance, hip hop, ballet, ballroom, jazz and modern.

Our days are full! To date extracurricular activities such as ceramics, jazz choir, percussion ensemble, painting and a Renaissance club provide even more opportunities for students to explore their artistic sides and round out their experience of learning and loving it.