Middle School Visual & Performing Arts

Laguna Blanca provides multiple opportunities for student expression in visual and performing arts. Fifth and sixth grade students are required to take year-long visual arts and one of the two semester-long music options. Seventh and eighth grade students are required each semester to take one of the six visual or performing arts options, including drawing and painting, printmaking and 3-D art, band, chorus, drama, or string ensemble. Depending on interest, these offerings may change from year to year.

VISUAL ARTS    

It is the goal of the Visual Arts Department to create an open, positive learning environment where technique relative to the medium presented may be taught on an applied level to nurture student imagination, self expression, and creative competency.

These aspirations are achieved through demonstrations, hands-on assignments, dialogue, guest artist lectures, museum visits, historical lectures, problem solving, and visual aids.

Fifth Grade Art
Full year - Grade 5

This course is designed to give students a broader understanding of cultures and artists from around the world while building upon the foundation of the technical and conceptual skills they learned in the fourth grade. Students will use a wide variety of media while working individually as well as in groups. The students will use artist quality materials as they work in the art and ceramics studios. They will explore art in it's many forms, making connections to art history as well as other areas of study, such as math and science.

Sixth Grade Art
Full year - Grade 6

This course is designed to build upon the techniques and skills students learned in fifth grade art to explore art throughout history. Students will be exposed to a wide range of artists and genres through two- and three-dimensional projects to gain a better understanding of the beginnings and roots of many of the visual arts. Students will deepen their understanding of how art has influenced our world today and respond and add their own imaginative twist to old subject matter.

MS Visual Arts A: Drawing and Painting
One semester - Grades 7 & 8

This course focuses on student artistic development through drawing techniques, observational skills, hands-on applications, teacher demonstrations, and media. The curriculum is designed to stimulate the students’ visual and tactile awareness through a process of artistic self-expression by translating their thoughts, surroundings, and photographic images into works of art. Through the creative process, students foster a greater appreciation of art past and present, locally and globally. The undercurrent of this course encourages students to begin viewing themselves as young artists who will continue to explore the arts and transition into the visual or performing arts offerings in the Upper School curriculum.

MS Visual Arts B: 3-D Art and Printmaking
One semester - Grades 7 & 8

This course builds on the concepts of Lower and Middle School art courses by further developing technical skills and self-expression through a variety of two- and three-dimensional art mediums. The goal of this course is to expand the students’ awareness of the world around them and to see how the arts are woven into the fabric of all of our lives. We will be exploring ceramics, sculpture, and printmaking in traditional and contemporary hands-on applications. This class is designed to provide a natural transition into the visual arts offerings in the Upper School curriculum. In the three-dimensional segment of the course, students will be introduced to ceramics and sculpture and will learn about the basic techniques, terminology, related mediums, and artisans involved in the history of hand built forms. In the printmaking segment of the course, students will be introduced to the printing techniques of relief and intaglio and learn about the basic techniques, terminology, related mediums, and artisans involved in the history of printmaking.

PERFORMING ARTS

Fifth and Sixth Grade Choral Music
One semester

The program will consist of a combination of choral music, dance and body percussion, musical theater, and instrumental music. Choral Music will include a wide variety of styles and vocal techniques. The repertoire will range from classical music (from different historical periods), world music (ethnic /folk) ,e.g. Israeli, Balkan, Latin, African, African Spiritual, to entertaining music: popular songs from the period of time starting in 1920's to present times, including songs with elements of jazz, blues, and swing. The students will perform fragments of Broadway musicals including songs, short speaking parts tied to the songs, and movement. Body movement, body percussion, and dancing will be integrated into the songs performed. Creativity will be encouraged.

As part of a collaboration with Mrs. Geier's Band program, Mrs. Roca will be preparing singers for the songs played by the band. Additionally students in the Chorus program will also be encouraged to play instruments along with the songs chosen for the performances during the Chorus classes throughout the year.

Students will acquire the following skills: correct singing technique, ability to sight read with voice and/or instrument, ability to sing in harmony, manage complex rhythms while singing, playing an instrument or dancing, and performing with confidence. They will also learn to notate musical dictations, build, sing and recognize musical intervals, chords and scales.

Fifth and Sixth Grade Instrumental Music
*Private instruction required
One semester

Scientists have proven that children who are exposed to music, or those who play an instrument, do better in school than those who don’t.The main focus of the fifth and sixth grade instrumental music class is to develop group playing, listening, and rehearsal skills while continuing individual growth through practice and discipline. Content will include rhythm, reading, theory (major and minor chords), dynamics, and musical styles. The class will culminate in a final performance at the end of each semester.

Middle School Band
*Private instruction required - Grades 7 & 8 
One semester

Middle School Band is for intermediate to advanced musicians. Students must know how to play an instrument upon entering. The main focus of the class is to develop playing, practice, rehearsing, reading, and performing skills. Content will include scales, history, styles, dynamics, groove, stage presence, and theory. The class culminates in a performance in the Middle School Performing Arts Revue at the end of each semester.  

Middle School Drama
One semester - Grades 7 & 8

This course is designed to introduce seventh and eighth graders to the terminology, theory, and practice of acting. Through five distinct units, students will explore various styles ranging from mime to improvisation to stage combat. Students will also be exposed to professional productions, both in film and live form. The class will include a daily physical warm up and will hone their ability to use their body and voice expressively. The class will culminate in a public performance of a portfolio of student work, including a full rehearsed scene from a classic play.

String Ensemble
Full year - Grades 7-12

The String Ensemble is a performance class for intermediate and advanced string players: violin, viola, cello and bass, and one keyboard musician. The Ensemble performs at school receptions and concerts as well as in the community. Repertoire is selected from all periods of music history from the Baroque to Contemporary, including various genres of popular music . In addition to the techniques of rehearsal and performance, the students learn the theory and history of the music performed. Prerequisite: Audition and consent of instructor.

Chorus
One Semester - Grades 7-12

This course is an introduction to the basics of singing: breath control, tone production, diction, singing in two and three-part harmony, and solo and group performance skills. The students explore choral works ranging from the madrigal to contemporary music both a cappella and accompanied. The repertoire includes a wide variety of styles, such as classical, world music, jazz, blues, swing, Broadway and popular music. Body movement, body percussion and instrument playing are integrated to the performed songs. The focus is on the creative expression of students by fostering self-esteem and coordinating group interaction. Ear training is an important component of the class. The students learn to build, sing and recognize musical intervals, write musical dictations and sight-read music with voice. The musical arrangements and the assignment to voice groups or instruments are based on the students' potential, and ideas discussed in the class.