Fine Arts

Each fifth-grader takes a different “Quarter Rotation” in each of the four quarters. These classes are: General Music, Art, Coding, and Spanish. Visual Art is held in the Art Studio, where projects introduce new ways to create art. Students are encouraged to discover and explore their personal expression with traditional and non-traditional art-making tools. Art-making techniques include drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, mixed media and sculpture.

Each fifth-grader takes a different “Quarter Rotation” in each of the four quarters. Those classes are: Performing Arts, Visual Art, Technology, and Spanish. Performing Arts is a 9-week intensive course in music and drama that encourages students to be creative and to connect to their interests.  This course offers a rich and fulfilling taste of music and drama. Students experience: singing a variety of songs, performing original pieces (musical and dramatic), and playing musical instruments (drums, guitar, and piano). 

In addition to the Fine Arts electives in performing arts, students also have quarter rotations, with four different classes meeting for nine weeks over the course of the year. These quarter-length classes include: technology/coding, Mandarin and Spanish, and Visual Arts.  Visual Art is held in the Art Studio, where projects introduce new ways to create art. Students are encouraged to discover and explore their personal expression with their artmaking with traditional and non-traditional art making tools. Art making techniques include drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, mixed media, and sculpture.

Sixth-grade choir is a 36-week intensive course in choral singing and musicianship that encourages students to be expressive and creative in connecting their musical and academic interests. Our study of music focuses on healthy singing techniques, intermediate reading, notating, ear training, and choral ensemble singing. This study of music provides the foundation for future involvement in the performing arts, and is our basis for approaching stagecraft, acting, storytelling, history, literature, language, and movement. In sixth-grade choir, we study choral and vocal music from many different time periods and cultures with the goal of helping students to connect the dots between a number of disciplines. Choir members experience singing a variety of songs, performing original pieces (musical and dramatic), and even playing musical instruments (drums, guitar, and piano). The choir performs in multiple concerts throughout the year, and members act as ambassadors for St. Andrew’s throughout the Jackson area. Sixth-grade choir is a place of discovery, performance, and practice that fosters joyful music-making, regardless of musical skill or experience.

Sixth-grade drama is a 36-week intensive course in the performing arts that encourages students to be expressive and creative in connecting their artistic and academic interests. Our study of drama focuses on acting through speech, movement, music, improvisation, and performance. This survey of drama provides the foundation for future involvement in the performing arts, and is our basis for approaching stagecraft, storytelling, history, literature, language, and movement. In the sixth-grade drama, we study acting techniques, monologues, scenes, short stories, plays, characters, stage movement, and vocal music from many different time periods and cultures with the goal of helping students to connect the dots between a number of disciplines. Drama class members experience acting in a variety of styles, performing original pieces (dramatic and musical), and even playing musical instruments (drums, guitar, and piano). The drama class offers frequent in-class performances throughout the year, and members act as ambassadors for St. Andrew’s throughout the Jackson area. Sixth-grade drama is a place of discovery, performance, and practice that fosters a joy for performing in all students.

Sixth-grade students learn to read music and learn to play a band instrument as members of the beginning band. No prior musical or band experience is necessary. All students are placed on an instrument (flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, or drums/bells), balancing their interests, their physical predispositions, and the needs of the band program. Students are taught basic tone production and technique on that instrument. Counting, reading, playing, and listening are all elements of the program method. In addition to learning how to play a musical instrument, students learn cooperation and the discipline of regular practice. The beginning band presents one concert at the end of the year.