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The Arts at IDS
See
student work in our Student Showcase
Link
to The Middlesex Academy for the Performing Arts
Link
to Theater Program Information
The arts are an important part of the curriculum
at IDS, and our students actively participate in the arts on a daily
basis. Whether through music, studio arts, or performing in a dramatic
production, our students discover their inherent creativity and build
the confidence to express it. Our curriculum is carefully designed in
an age-appropriate continuum from Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth Grade.
Studio Arts
The visual arts are important at IDS! Students can often be found sketching
outdoors, working with clay or admiring the artwork of their peers,
which is exhibited throughout the school and on our web site in the
student gallery.
The emphasis is on doing. Students in kindergarten through
eighth grade experiment with various media and are given the opportunity
to create art in its many forms: drawing both from observation and imagination;
painting; printmaking; weaving; and sculpting, including kiln-fired pottery.
Through museum visits, reproductions and books, students experience adult
art and learn to express themselves verbally about what they see. An
awareness of the interrelationships of the arts to each other and to
other disciplines and cultures is encouraged.
Two art studios, designed for specific age groups, provide a wonderful space
for students to explore and create. Our activities often take us outdoors to
sketch and paint in our courtyard and campus. Students also enjoy sharing their
art through community service projects, museum and library exhibits, and art
shows.
Music and the IDS Band Program
More than a “universal language,” music is a universal teacher of everything from patience to cooperation.
We offer students in Pre-K through Grade 3 classroom music, as
a part of the regular academic curriculum, and, beginning
in 4th grade, all students participate in band. Extracurricular
opportunities to perform
in a number of ensembles, such as jazz band, chamber
music, and chorus, are also offered.
IDS
Band
At IDS, musical instruments are seen and heard in the hands of children from the fourth grade up. Participation in our band gives children who enjoy music an all-purpose lesson in harmony and teamwork. It teaches them that something as complex and thrilling as a musical performance not only requires patience and practice, but also a diversity of skills and efforts. Here is what they learn to master in each year of the program:
The Fourth Grade Band: Our
band of beginners receives quite an education in
the basics of reading music, tone production and
following the conducter. Each young musician also
receives a group lesson once a week to help
prepare for performances in the winter and spring.
The choice of instrument is based on the student's
preference with guidance from the teacher based
on the student's aptititude. Instrument choices
inlcude baritone, trumpet, trombone, flute,
clarinet, saxophone, bass clarinet, oboe, and
percussion.
The 5-6 Band: Our
fifth grade instrumental students continue with
group lessons and band rehearsals. Our sixth grade
instrumental students continue regular band
practice sessions, developing a command of technique
as well as their own musical talents. These
are particularly exciting years, as students
prepare music for our annual concerts and special
school events. We also perform outside the school.
Whenever an opportunity arises at a public gathering
or event, we love to
share our music with the community.
The 7-8 Band:
At this point in their musical education, our musicians are ready to
shine. They perform at all annual school concerts and special events,
and their fresh, festive sound brightens the holidays in various community
venues. IDS musicians consistently garner high praise when they audition
for regional competitions and we are very proud of the superior ratings
that middle school performing groups have received at adjudications.
IDS offers opportunities for students
to participate in eleven performing groups. These groups include Junior
Strings, chamber Strings, Orchestra, 4th grade band, 5-6 Band, 7-8 band,
4-5 Chorus, Middle School Singers, Faculty-Student jazz band, String
ensemble, and two chamber ensembles.
String Ensemble Opportunities
Junior Strings meets one time per week and offers the opportunity for students in Kindergarten through fourth grade, who are studying the violin, cello or bass privately, to play in a beginning string ensemble. Students learn basic ensemble playing skills and explore beginning string music literature.
Chamber Strings meets one time per week and offers the opportunity for more advanced string players, who are studying privately, to discover and play a variety of string literature while exposing the students to the music of famous composers. More advanced string techniques are taught as well as good ensemble skills. This ensemble is open to students in third through 8th grade who demonstrate that they have acquired the skills necessary to play in the group.
One time per year, the Chamber Strings adds a select number of wind and percussion students to the ensemble to learn full orchestra music. This opportunity allows for some of the wind and percusssion students to play more soloistic music and allows for the Chamber Strings members to experience the full orchestra music.
Private lessons, for an additional fee to the instructor, are offered after school at IDS on various instruments which include violin, viola, cello, clarinet, flute, oboe, sax, piano, trumpet, trombone and piano.
The IDS Performing Arts Program
"The world is our stage" is more than an expression at IDS. Each year, beginning in Kindergarten, our students are involved in acting and producing age-appropriate dramatic productions. We act, we sing, we dance, we design and build sets, and no matter how small or large the role, students are engaged in working together to bring the theater to life.
The Lower School, grades K-5, students
present their plays to the entire school, family and invited guests.
The Middle School puts on a Broadway-style
musical production, encompassing up to 50 cast members and a crew of
10-20. Students take leadership positions in stage management, lighting,
sound, and house management and the cast benefits from working with
professional choreographers, and musical and artistic directors. For
those parents who have a bit of the actor in them, the Broadway Bound
Booster Club provides assistance to our cast and crew and puts on their
own parent/faculty show each year.
Please visit our Teachers' Pages
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