Middle School Arts

Middle School Teachers
Michael Hough and Leslie Clowes, Directors of MS Bands
Stephanie Smeltzer, Director of MS Choruses
Adrian Gordon and Ashley Flower, Directors of MS Orchestras
Jamie Hutteman, MS Theatre Director
Jordan Ellis, MS Theatre Teacher

Sixth Grade Band:
The sixth grade Band expands from the basic instrumentation used in fifth grade band to a full concert band instrumentation. The group performs both a Winter and Spring Concert each year in addition to an adjudicated performance at the Carowinds Festival of Music. 

Sixth Grade Chorus:
Offered both as a semester class and a year-long option, this class provides a wonderful transition from fifth grade Chorus to Middle School Chorus. Singers move from two-part harmony to three-part harmony and are able to sing with more confidence and understanding. The Winter Concert provides an opportunity to share the stage with the seventh/eighth grade Chorus as well as the Upper School Chorus. The spring semester includes a trip to Wingate University to participate in the MPA choral event and to Carowinds to participate in the Festival of Music. Both of these performances are adjudicated events. The Spring Concert is a celebration of choral music that includes the two Middle School Choruses and the Middle School A Cappella group. 

Seventh and Eighth Grade Band:
The seventh and eighth grade Band performs in the Winter and Spring Concert each year in addition to adjudicated performances at the North Carolina Music Educators Music Performance Assessment and the Carowinds Festival of Music. Along with the Orchestra, the group also performs an annual Halloween concert for the Lower School Students.

Seventh and Eighth Grade Chorus:
Offered both as a semester class and a year-long option, singers are challenged with music that requires both three-part and four-part music. Genres range from traditional choral music appropriate to the season to Broadway or pop music. The Winter Concert provides an opportunity to share the stage with both the sixth grade Chorus and the Upper School Chorus. Spring semester includes a trip to Wingate University to participate in the MPA choral event and to Carowinds to participate in the Festival of Music. Both of these performances are adjudicated events. The Spring Concert is a celebration of choral music that includes the two Middle School choruses and the Middle School A Cappella group.

Middle School Orchestra:
Ensembles study a wide range of literature with a strong focus on music literacy and instrumental technique. Students collaborate to learn to play together in an ensemble setting.

Other offerings:

• Middle School Jazz Club
• Middle School Chamber Club
• Middle School A Cappella Group:
  • Selected by audition and rehearses during lunch twice a week. This group performs periodically at assembly, other various campus events, as well as at the Spring Middle School Choral Concert.  
     

In sixth grade, Art explores observational drawing and compositional techniques in dry media and collage. Students are introduced to selected art history topics and art criticism. With emphasis on creativity and craftsmanship, each assignment is simultaneously challenging and fun. Also, the process of self-evaluation begins in this course with the introduction of critique sessions.

In seventh and eighth grades, the objectives of the instruction are in the major areas of painting and drawing, three-dimensional work, design, and printmaking, with emphasis on drawing skills. Students may take this course only once.

The experienced middle school artist demonstrates originality and creativity in all assignments. Imagination, manipulation of media, and effective self-evaluation are vital parts of this course. Students verbally discuss their work and those of their classmates in critique sessions. Major units of study include drawing, painting, clay hand building, and printmaking techniques and processes. Students may enroll in this course only once in middle school. Several art projects include art historical references.