Greenhills School Course Guide
Middle School Fine and Performing Arts
Department Philosophy
Arts education is essential for every student. The faculty of the department of fine and performing arts at Greenhills believe that our mission is to promote creative expression, communication skills, problem solving, and inventive thinking. Courses are designed to foster lifelong appreciation through active participation in a variety of arts activities. It is through personal discovery and experimentation, coupled with consistent involvement in the arts that skills are developed, appreciations are formed, and creativity is encouraged. Musical, artistic, and dramatic experiences expand students' horizons, develop creative and inventive thought, and provide unique experiences for self-revelation and reflection.
Courses offered in the visual arts expose students to and instruct them in the techniques of painting, drawing, sculpture, textile arts, calligraphy, jewelry making, ceramics, printmaking, computer graphics, mosaic, and photography. Students study the elements of artistic expression through active creation of a variety of art projects. The curriculum is designed to offer students a broad overview of many different artistic mediums and techniques.
6th graders all perform music in the band, orchestra, or choir, study visual arts in four 2-week units throughout the year, and drama once a week throughout the year. 7th and 8th graders continue their artistic study in the same way, with musical performance for everyone, and art and drama taught in units to all students.
Courses offered in the dramatic arts expose students to techniques in improvisational theater, characterization, and presentation through the study and execution of improvising, theater games, script adaptation, vocal inflection, mime, and dramatic characterization. Middle school students have the opportunity to audition for and participate in the annual spring play and in the forensics program.
