Home
Creative and artistic expression abounds in St. Patrick’s art and music programs. A walk into any of our wonderful art studios and through the hallways and classrooms tells the story of a dynamic art program—prints, collages, sculptures, self-portraits, ceramics, drawings, and paintings adorn the walls and display cabinets. Glance into one of the four music classrooms and you might see students creating movements to music with simple props, playing Orff instruments, composing a simple aria, learning authentic Native American songs, practicing handbells, working on the Yamaha keyboards, playing African drums, or learning to play the recorder or ukelele. Music instruction at St. Patrick’s builds a foundation of skills through work with pitch, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, form, timbre, and style. Always there is singing, which binds us together as a community whether in music classes, chapels, classrooms, or concerts.
The music and art programs at St. Patrick’s strive to provide a strong and comprehensive foundation in the skills, language, tools, habits, and understandings that lead to confidence in and appreciation for each discipline. From Nursery through Grade 8, art, music, and drama intersect in performances appropriate to each age. From Nursery children presenting a simple performance of songs and hand movements for their parents to the magnificent Upper School musical theater productions presented to the wider community, students have opportunities for performance at each grade level.
In addition, the extracurricular music program offers both instrumental and choral performance opportunities for children in Grades 4 through 8. St. Patrick’s Young Singers, comprised of interested Grades 5 and 6 students, have sung at the Washington National Cathedral, the Kennedy Center, the White House, and NBC’s Today Show, as well as at choral festivals for children. Students in Grades 5 through 8 may choose to participate in the handbell/handchime program.
Art and music play central and vital roles in helping children to develop their unique talents and gifts, express their individuality, work together in partnership, and achieve wholeness in their lives.
