In first through eighth grade, the curriculum encourages students to be creative, discerning, expressive, and successful according to their potential and developmental levels. Numerous materials and methods are used to teach basic art principles so that students learn new skills. Good art composition is emphasized, and the elements of design are a part of every art lesson. A substantial art history program is enhanced by the use of slides, prints, and visits to museums. Students are encouraged to participate in local student art exhibitions, the Artist-in-Residence program, and art service projects for local institutions. The main goal of the Visual Arts program in the Upper School is the development of creativity and creative thinking. Through exposure to a broad variety of media, the introduction of artists and the artistic process, and hands-on discovery, the students' awareness and skills in art and sensitivity to aesthetic relationships are developed. The students are provided with several opportunities to enter local and national art competitions and exhibitions. Many elective courses are available from basic drawing to independent work and portfolio preparation.
In the Lower School, students learn about music and musical concepts through active participation. In levels of increasing sophistication, students participate in activities including singing, playing rhythm instruments, listening, and movement experiences. Our program also includes work in Kodaly Hand Signals in which the students learn rhythm and pitches through Italian syllables (Do-Re-Mi) and accompanying hand signals. In fourth through eighth grades, all students participate in chorus and perform concerts in the winter and spring for schoolmates and parents. Orff musical instruments are employed to help children become sensitive listeners and active participants. Poems, rhythms, games, dances, and songs are accompanied by these special barred instruments that include xylophones, glockenspiels, and metalaphones. The Upper School students have many opportunities to sing. All freshmen take Choral Lab through which they learn the fundamentals of vocal production, are taught to harmonize in two to three parts, and become musically literate. A Choral Ensemble for mixed voices allows students from Salesianum School for Boys to participate with Ursuline students to perform standard choral literature. This group performs many concerts throughout the year, some of which include travel. Instrumental music is offered, beginning in fourth grade. Individual and small group instruction for band members is available to fourth through eighth grade during the school day. As the students become more proficient, they have the opportunity to perform in small ensembles and bands. Instrumental music at Ursuline Academy is a comprehensive course of study from grades four through twelve. Instrumentalists may continue to develop their instrumental proficiencies beyond the eighth grade as they continue through the Upper School grade levels. Upper School students will study the musical concepts that enable them to improve their musical skills as well as increase their depth of understanding of the musical experience. Students who elect “Wind and Percussion Ensemble” may also be selected to perform in smaller ensembles such as brass, woodwind, and percussion ensembles. The Wind and Percussion Ensemble and other instrumental groups will perform in several concerts throughout the school year.
The Lower School Drama Program introduces the magic of music and drama
to our students in a fun and engaging atmosphere. This introduction
into the Performing Arts encourages self-awareness and promotes self-confidence
in an educational setting through singing, dancing, and dramatic expression.
It assists in providing children with a window into stories, real or
imagined, that offer lessons into their own lives.
Middle School drama classes are based on improvisation and focus on
beginning actor training. The eighth grade students put what they have
learned into action each year by producing a play. The eighth grade
play is an annual tradition in which every student takes a part in creating
a children's theater production that is presented to the Lower School
students and the families of the eighth graders.
The Upper School Drama department offers college preparatory courses such as Introduction to Theatre and Actor's Laboratory. These courses are experiential and involve the student as both participant and observer. Students gain an appreciation of the theatre arts and explore the creative process itself. Every fall, the Upper School students present a play, with Salesianum students often playing the male roles. There are opportunities for students to perform as actors, singers, and dancers, and to work as assistant directors, light operators, stage managers, and crew members. Ursuline Academy upper school students also participate in dramatic and musical productions performed at Salesianum School for Boys.
The
Dance department at Ursuline Academy serves grades 3-12. Lower SchoolSeventh GradeIn
the Middle School (grades 7 & 8), the dance curriculum is the
most intensive. Dance is studied for a full semester as a subject
and a letter grades given at the end of the semester. These
students are required to wear dance (jazz) shoes.
The seventh grade studies ballet both in movement and academically. A ballet is choreographed and taught by the instructor. When students become proficient in the movement technique, they are divided into small groups and choreograph their own dances. The class is tested on ballet history, technique and famous dancers, choreographers and ballets. Professional dance is viewed on film. Seventh grade performs at the Spring Dance Concert in April.  Eighth GradeUpper School Ninth and tenth grades study dance for one quarter of their physical education program for the year. (Seven dance classes per year.) These students study swing dance, salsa, cha-cha, and jazz. All
Upper School students have the opportunity to select dance as an elective
activity during the school day. It meets at eighth period, once
every other cycle. Dance Workshop concentrates on movement to
pop music. |
