Lower & Upper School Courses
K - 4 MUSIC
Providing young musicians with their first formal study, music classes introduce and reinforce initial singing skills, matching pitch, sensitivity to pulse and rhythm, beginning notation (music reading), and playing of instruments (mallet percussion, recorders). It also allows students to explore their emotional responses and reactions to music, to create a repertoire of performance pieces, and to connect music to other disciplines.
K - 4 VISUAL ARTS
Providing young students with their first formal study, art classes introduce and reinforce artistic skills and develop an understanding of the elements of art – line, shape, pattern, color, value, texture, and form. Students use a variety of materials and techniques to explore and create age-appropriate art pieces.
5 - 8 GENERAL MUSIC
Building on the skills and concepts introduced in the lower levels, middle school students expand their range of musical understanding to including reading, writing and composing, basic improvisation, refining singing and playing skills individually and in groups. In addition, students will gain an understanding of historical periods and styles, expand their knowledge of instruments and electronics, vocabulary, and have opportunities for musical research, writing samples about music, short and long-term projects and performances.
5 - 8 INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Students will begin a specialized study of wind and percussion instruments through small group lessons and full ensemble rehearsals. Emphasis will be placed sequentially on the fundamentals of playing – developing breath support and posture, tone quality and production, knowledge of fingerings, positions, stick and mallet technique, and fluency in the use of musical notation. Students will prepare and have the opportunity to perform publicly.
5 - 8 CHORAL/VOCAL MUSIC
Students will begin a specialized study of vocal music in ensembles. Emphasis will be placed on building vocal technique – breath support and tone production, diction and articulation, unison and part singing, and fluency in the use of musical notation. Students will prepare and have the opportunity to perform publicly.
5 - 8 VISUAL ARTS
Building on the skills and concepts introduced in the lower school, middle school students will expand their techniques and understanding of artistic elements, will develop their artistic vocabularies, and have the opportunities to create more complex art pieces and projects in an expanded variety of media and materials (sculpture and ceramics).
K - 4 MUSIC
Providing young musicians with their first formal study, music classes introduce and reinforce initial singing skills, matching pitch, sensitivity to pulse and rhythm, beginning notation (music reading), and playing of instruments (mallet percussion, recorders). It also allows students to explore their emotional responses and reactions to music, to create a repertoire of performance pieces, and to connect music to other disciplines.
K - 4 VISUAL ARTS
Providing young students with their first formal study, art classes introduce and reinforce artistic skills and develop an understanding of the elements of art – line, shape, pattern, color, value, texture, and form. Students use a variety of materials and techniques to explore and create age-appropriate art pieces.
5 - 8 GENERAL MUSIC
Building on the skills and concepts introduced in the lower levels, middle school students expand their range of musical understanding to including reading, writing and composing, basic improvisation, refining singing and playing skills individually and in groups. In addition, students will gain an understanding of historical periods and styles, expand their knowledge of instruments and electronics, vocabulary, and have opportunities for musical research, writing samples about music, short and long-term projects and performances.
5 - 8 INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Students will begin a specialized study of wind and percussion instruments through small group lessons and full ensemble rehearsals. Emphasis will be placed sequentially on the fundamentals of playing – developing breath support and posture, tone quality and production, knowledge of fingerings, positions, stick and mallet technique, and fluency in the use of musical notation. Students will prepare and have the opportunity to perform publicly.
5 - 8 CHORAL/VOCAL MUSIC
Students will begin a specialized study of vocal music in ensembles. Emphasis will be placed on building vocal technique – breath support and tone production, diction and articulation, unison and part singing, and fluency in the use of musical notation. Students will prepare and have the opportunity to perform publicly.
5 - 8 VISUAL ARTS
Building on the skills and concepts introduced in the lower school, middle school students will expand their techniques and understanding of artistic elements, will develop their artistic vocabularies, and have the opportunities to create more complex art pieces and projects in an expanded variety of media and materials (sculpture and ceramics).
Methuen High School Courses
Updates are being made to the course list and descriptions. Please check back for updates. If you have any questions regarding the High School courses in the Arts, please contact the Director of Fine Arts
Updates are being made to the course list and descriptions. Please check back for updates. If you have any questions regarding the High School courses in the Arts, please contact the Director of Fine Arts