Band I Full Year (Three Trimesters) Prerequisites: None
electives that span a variety of topics across all visual and performing arts domains as well as opportunities for enrichment in core academic disciplines. Students indicate their elective preferences each spring following a presentation of courses by the elective teaching faculty. While student preference is taken into account when scheduling, final placement decisions are at the discretion of the Middle School administration. Unless otherwise noted, elective classes can be repeated for credit.
This course is open to students choosing to begin music instruction on a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Students will meaningfully create, perform, and respond to music from a variety of time periods and cultures while developing instrumental technique and skill. Choice of instrument includes flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, tuba, or percussion. The Middle School band performs at community events and at least two public performances per school year.
Art Studio Full Year (Three Trimesters) Prerequisites: Seventh or Eighth Grade Student
Choir I Full Year (Three Trimesters) Prerequisites: None
This is a multi-level studio course modeled after the Upper School art studio program. Students engage in an in-depth exploration of a particular theme (which changes from year-to-year) by creating a variety of works that respond to and explore the ideas discussed. Returning students will complete more challenging versions of each project and be provided opportunities to develop an individualized portfolio. Band II Full Year (Three Trimesters) Prerequisites: Band I or equivalent; Creative and Performing Arts Department recommendation This course is open to students continuing previous music instruction on a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Students will continue to meaningfully create, perform, and respond to music from a variety of time periods and cultures while developing instrumental technique and skill. The Middle School band performs at community events at least two public performances per school year. Admittance to this upper-level course is at the discretion of the Creative and Performing Arts Department.
Choir is offered to students interested in singing. Students will learn the basics of music theory, and work daily on sight-singing and vocal performance techniques. Choir students will sing in at least two public performances per school year.
Creative and Performing Arts
Orchestra I Full Year (Three Trimesters) Prerequisites: None
In the Middle School, students have the opportunity to express themselves across a range of artistic platforms. Got the acting bug? Move through a program that provides a taste of theater from production to performance with stops in design along the way. Feeling the beat? Students can meaningfully create, perform, and respond to music from a variety of time periods and cultures while refining technique and skill. Want to create a work of art? Visual artists can develop their strengths, discover their interests, and cultivate their own unique creative voice.
MS Orchestra I develops skills gained in the Lower School orchestra program and is open to students continuing on the violin, viola, cello, and for students transitioning from one of those instruments to the upright string bass. Students will grow into independent musicians by executing proper playing technique, exploring music from different genres, time periods, and countries, and furthering creativity and musicianship through composing, analytical listening, and performing at community events and at least two public performances per school year. Seventh and Eighth Grade Program Students in seventh and eighth grade enroll in a two year foundations course program that they select at the end of their sixth grade experience. The seventh and eighth grade foundations program broadens to encompass an art studio and theater production course in addition to the band, orchestra, and vocal music ensembles that are part of the sixth grade program. Understanding that learning the fundamentals of any arts discipline requires time, focus, and dedicated effort, it is a programmatic expectation that students maintain a commitment to their selected foundation course for seventh and eighth grades. In addition to the foundations course, seventh and eighth graders also enroll in trimester
Sixth Grade Program Students in sixth grade enroll in two Creative and Performing Arts courses. The first is a year-long foundations course in one of our ensembles. Students may elect to participate in band, orchestra, or vocal music. The second course is a rotating trimester elective that provides students with experience in visual art, innovation and design, and drama. Art - 6th Grade One Trimester (Offered First, Second, and Third Trimester) Prerequisites: None This course is an introduction to middle- and upper- level art-making for sixth grade students with a focus on building artistic thinking skills and habits and fostering artistic independence. Artists will explore a variety of projects and art-making approaches in stations or small groups. After they have tried each option, they will create their own capstone work, carrying this independent project through from design to completion.
Drama 6th Grade: Introduction to Theater One Trimester (Offered First, Second, and Third Trimester) Prerequisites: None Drama students in the sixth grade study the historical development from early cultures to the European Renaissance. Activities include improvisation and memorized speeches from classic plays of the period. Discovery and Design - 6th Grade One Trimester (Offered First, Second, and Third Trimester) Prerequisites: None This dynamic course provides students an opportunity to dive into the design thinking and engineering process, learning how to tackle problems creatively and effectively. From programming a robot to navigate through a maze to designing a protective structure for an egg’s daring drop off the Middle School balcony, learners will face a diverse array of challenges. This course encourages students to harness their creativity and ingenuity, exploring both digital and physical realms to devise innovative solutions to address complex questions.
Bucket Drumline One Trimester (Offered First Trimester) Prerequisites: Seventh or Eighth Grade Student
Calling all future drummers! Students in this course will learn basic drumstick rudiments, improvise rhythm patterns, and perform as a group ensemble using buckets. This group will perform at community events throughout the trimester.
2026-2027 ULS Curriculum Guide
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