Arts

The Arts Department

Our curriculum encompasses the visual, musical, and dramatic arts. Visual art courses encourage self-expression through studio projects that include painting, ceramics, wire sculptures, and photography. In music, emphasis is placed on learning creative processes through listening, composition, performance, and improvisation. The drama program offers a dynamic setting for boys to explore their social and emotional depths. Students are guided to channel this exploration into self-expression, character development, directing, and performance.

Mrs. Pierce, Middle School Teacher

Each boy knows he can be more than any one thing. University School teaches boys they can try it all; they can allow all parts of their personalities and passions to thrive to become multifaceted humans.

Fifth Grade

Fifth graders continue their development in the fundamentals of Visual Art. They explore a variety of materials in conjunction with their subject area curricular topics. Examples include free-style drawing, watercolor painting, and clay molding. Fifth-grade Music provides an outlet for boys to explore and create music through instrumental and vocal music classes. All boys in fifth grade participate in both ensembles, allowing for a unique approach so that they can interact with music in new and exciting ways. Boys also have the opportunity to join the String Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and Choral Ensemble. In Drama, boys learn the foundations of acting, theatre history, and script reading/writing. In Design Technology, students explore their own ideas and develop them in a 3D format using a wide variety of design and fabrication tools from design software to woodworking hand tools to 3D printers and laser cutters. Classes are taught in both our traditional woodshop and our campus maker space STEAMworks, equipped with the latest technology.

Sixth Grade

Visual Art challenges and motivates through projects that provide opportunity for student choice and self-expression. Studio projects include painting, drawing, ceramics, wire sculptures, print-making, mosaics, and photography. Sixth graders explore modern art concepts with a focus on the role of social justice and advocacy through art. Street art, graffiti, and Pop Art are introduced to students. In Music, boys learn techniques and musical practices through rehearsing a repertoire that encompasses diverse cultures, and study theory, history, composition, and other musical disciplines. Boys have the opportunity to join the String Orchestra, Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Choral Ensemble. In Drama, boys explore the body, voice, and emotion that are necessary to create a character. The drama program stages two major productions each year. In Design Technology, students explore their own ideas and develop them in a 3D format using a wide variety of design and fabrication tools from design software to woodworking hand tools to 3D printers and laser cutters. Classes are taught in both our traditional woodshop and our campus makerspace STEAMworks, equipped with the latest technology.

Seventh Grade

Visual Art challenges and motivates through projects that provide an opportunity for student choice and self-expression. Studio projects include painting, drawing, ceramics, wire sculptures, print-making, mosaics, and photography. Seventh graders focus on observational drawing techniques such as shading. color blending and creating three-dimensional drawings. In Music, boys learn techniques and musical practices through rehearsing a repertoire that encompasses diverse cultures, and study theory, history, composition, and other musical disciplines. Boys have the opportunity to join the String Orchestra, Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Choral Ensemble. In Drama, boys explore developing a voice as a performer and technician. They present monologues, study script analysis, musical theater, audition techniques, and playwriting. The drama program stages to major productions each year. In Design Technology, students explore their own ideas and develop them in a 3D format using a wide variety of design and fabrication tools from design software to woodworking hand tools to 3D printers and laser cutters. Classes are taught in both our traditional woodshop and our campus makerspace STEAMworks, equipped with the latest technology.

Eighth Grade

Visual Art challenges and motivates through projects that provide an opportunity for student choice and self-expression. Studio projects include painting, drawing, ceramics, wire sculptures, print-making, mosaics, and photography. Eighth graders are stretched to think about and create art that is personal and meaningful to them. Portraits, logo design and mosaic collage techniques are created. In Music, boys learn techniques and musical practices through rehearsing a repertoire that encompasses diverse cultures, and study theory, history, composition, and other musical disciplines. Boys have the opportunity to join the String Orchestra, Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Choral Ensemble. In Drama, boys are expected to become masterful actors and technician, delving deeply into characterization, directing, and improvisation. The drama program stages two major productions each year. In Design Technology, students explore their own ideas and develop them in a 3D format using a wide variety of design and fabrication tools from design software to woodworking hand tools to 3D printers and laser cutters. Classes are taught in both our traditional woodshop and our campus makerspace STEAMworks, equipped with the latest technology.