Academics
Arts

Middle School Arts



The Middle School Arts Program

The Arts Curriculum at St. Andrew’s is structured to affirm and develop the artistry within every student. In the Middle School, we achieve this by providing our students with opportunities for choice, informed risk-taking, and experiencing the joy and fulfillment that productions and presentations that the arts provides. These offerings emphasize the importance of authentic self-expression and cultivating an appreciation for the variety and richness of human expression through the arts.

Performing Arts

Each year, our middle school artists engage in myriad of experiences in instrumental music, vocal music, music production, dance, theatre, technical theatre, and production. Students select one trimester course of their choosing and can participate in one or multiple elective ensembles. These choices allow for students to grow in variety of performing art forms as well as provide yearlong development and collaboration in performance ensembles. Each elective course and extracurricular ensemble is designed to meet students where they are and further hone their artistic skills and literacies as performers, collaborators, and patrons of the arts.

List of 4 items.

  • Performing Arts Courses

    Fall
    • Band
    • Dance
    • Drama
    • Video & Film

    Winter
    • Drama
    • Music & Computers
    • Video & Film

    Spring
    • Guitar/Piano
    • Musical Cast
    • Tech Theater
     

  • Extracurricular Ensembles

    Middle School Band and Middle School Chorus are offered year-round for students in grades 6 - 8. With the exception of Middle School Band in the fall trimester, these ensembles also meet before or after school twice each week to provide multiple opportunities for continued performance throughout the year. Middle School Dance is also offered as a Winter trimester sports option.

  • Middle School Performance Opportunities

    Trimester Performing Arts Assemblies: At the end of each academic trimester, ensembles and students in music, drama, dance, music production, and video production put on a variety show for the Upper School.

    St. Andrew's Day: In celebration of the founding of the school, students in the Middle School band and chorus perform alongside various Upper School ensembles at this traditional event for students, faculty, and families.

    Winter Music Concert: This coffee-house-style evening showcases students in our vocal and instrumental music ensembles from both the Middle and Upper School divisions.

    Spring Music Concert: This evening is a culmination of our year in music, with our final concert performances by Middle and Upper School students in vocal and instrumental music ensembles.

    Spring Musical: This Middle School production typically features 35-40 students as members of the cast and technical crew. Recent shows include Willy Wonka Jr., Moana, Seussical, Annie, The Lion King, Mulan, James and the Giant Peach, Shrek, and High School Musical.

    Middle School Graduation: The band, chorus, and the cast of the Spring Musical perform throughout this ceremony.

  • Individual Music Lessons

    St. Andrew’s offers individual instruction in piano (classical/jazz/pop), violin, guitar (acoustic/electric), drums, bass, flute, ukulele, saxophone, violin, and voice.  Lessons are available for students in grades 3-12 and are offered before/after school once or twice a week.


Middle School Signature Events

List of 4 items.

  • Trimester Performing Arts Assemblies

    At the end of each academic trimester, ensembles and students in music, drama, dance, music production, and video production put on a variety show for the Upper School.

  • Winter & Spring Concerts

    These coffee-house-style evenings showcase students in our vocal and instrumental music ensembles from both the Middle and Upper School divisions.

  • Spring Musical

    This Middle School production typically features 35-40 students as members of the cast and technical crew. Recent shows include Willy Wonka Jr., Moana, Seussical, Annie, The Lion King, Mulan, James and the Giant Peach, Shrek, and High School Musical. The 2023 Middle School Spring Musical will be Frozen, Jr.

  • Spring Music Concert

    This evening is a culmination of our year in music, with our final concert performances by students in vocal and instrumental music ensembles.

Visual Arts

Each year, our middle school artists take one trimester of visual arts. These courses accentuate the formal elements and principles of design each year so students are equipped with the building blocks of visual literacy that prepare them for more complex work in their high school years. Students experience 2D, 3D, and digital media as they continue to understand how art is used as a powerful means of personal expression and communication. We celebrate and exhibit their works in galleries across campus throughout the calendar year, and honor students accomplished works as part of our spring SAPA Judging Competition, lead by parent volunteers who are themselves professional artists.

List of 2 items.

  • Middle School Visual Arts

    All Middle School students take one trimester of visual arts per year. Formal elements and principles of design are presented each year, so students are equipped with the building blocks of visual literacy that prepare them for more complex work in their high school years. Students experiences 2- and 3-dimensional media as well as digital media as they continue to understand how art is used as a powerful means of personal expression and communication.

  • Special Programs and Opportunities

    Print and Digital Publications: St. Andrew's publishes a literary magazine, a newspaper, and a yearbook. In addition to literary submissions, these publications feature students' original artwork and photography. Students take the lead in designing and producing these publications.
     
    Spring Arts Celebrations: Each Spring, St. Andrew's celebrates the visual arts with a week-long art show and competition. Students are invited to enter their original work in the areas of drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography, video, and digital graphics. A panel of outside expert judges organized by the SAPA Cultural Arts Committee reviews the entries in each category, and recognition is given for top honors through the Judges' Choice Awards.
     
    Kreeger Gallery: A small, professional-quality gallery located at the entrance to MacDonald Hall showcases original student work as well as the works of alumni and professional artists.

    E-Portfolios: Middle and Upper School students create and manage online digital e-portfolios of their artwork to record their growth as artists during their time at St. Andrew's.

     

Kreeger Gallery Exhibition Calendar

List of 5 items.

  • Middle School Art Show

    November - January

  • Upper School Selected Projects

    January - February

  • Senior Art Show

    February - April

  • Upper School Spring Arts Show

    April - May

  • Middle School Spring Arts Show

    May




St. Andrew’s Episcopal School is a private, coeducational college preparatory day school for students in preschool (Age 2) through grade 12, located in Potomac, Maryland.