Music

In the Early Childhood grades, students enjoy singing, playing instruments, dancing, expressing, and creating music. All music classes are taught using the Orff music curriculum, which emphasizes beat and rhythm to teach children to appreciate, play, and later, read and write music.

The Orff technique explores rhythm and melody as well as music appreciation in the Lower School curriculum. Students express themselves through dancing, singing, and the use of recorders, glockenspiels and other pitched and percussion instruments. These instruments are often played together as in a small orchestra, and this experience helps students become sensitive listeners and considerate participants. Students also listen and analyze musical concepts, including the works of famous composers.
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Art

Children’s artwork from all divisions is proudly displayed throughout the Saint Paul’s campus. Formal art instruction beings in Pre-K 4 where students explore their creativity through painting, drawing and other media as they learn about famous artists and their techniques. Two fully equipped art rooms, each with professional kilns, allow students to work with clay-fired projects as well.

Art classes at Saint Paul’s expose Lower School students to a variety of media, including watercolor, pastel, ceramics and basic drawing. Concepts of color mixing, artistic styles and the art of different cultures are explored, including the life and work of many famous artists.

In Middle School, the goals of the art program are to expose students to a great variety of art media and techniques so students can gain confidence in exploring their own creative potential. In gaining this confidence, students will acquire a better understanding of and appreciation for past and present cultures and the achievements of mankind in the art forms.

An annual artist-in-residence program allows students one-on-one interaction with professional artists who work with students to create projects that are proudly displayed on the school campus.
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Drama

All children benefit from having the confidence to comfortably speak in front of others. At Saint Paul’s, this skill is honed very early as drama instruction begins as early as Pre-K 3 classes. Plays are an exciting part of the Early Childhood and Lower School curriculum, as classes perform for student and parent audiences.

Drama in the Lower School focuses on children using their imagination and self-expression. Nursery rhymes, poems and short stories are used to inspire the students to create their own dramatic responses. The students work mostly in groups and learn important lessons about cooperation when preparing to present a scene. As they progress through the Lower School, students learn a basic history of the theatre, including the use of masks in Ancient Greek theater.

There are many on-campus Fine Arts activities available as well. Drama presentations have previously included shows like Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, and Annie.
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