THE NEED The place of women in the arts is an important, but often overlooked, subject. Like women in science and math fields, professional women artists have yet to achieve equality when it comes to representation in major museum exhibitions and galleries. OVERVIEW
Education in the visual arts, performing arts and music is fundamental to a well-rounded education for every child. Playing, doing or performing -- as opposed to simply watching, studying, or listening -- significantly and positively affect creativity. An art education strengthens creative thinking generally and fosters innovative approaches in all academic endeavors.
Julia Morgan School for Girls holds that all children possess creative abilities. It is the role of the arts’ teachers to guide students towards a discovery of their unique creative spirit and to shine a light on those creative talents. Teachers are dedicated to fostering the talents of their students through a positive focus on creative expression and aesthetic risk taking. Our curriculum is designed to:
- Introduce students to a variety of aesthetic experiences and forms of artistic expression in a variety of media
- Facilitate the creative process rather than the production of standardized artistic works
- Integrate the arts into all subject areas in an interdisciplinary approach
- Emphasize both personal expression and collaborative, community-based projects
- Advance the role of women in the history of the various arts disciplines
- Investigate the history of art and develop an appreciation for the arts of diverse cultures
- Expand the understanding of aesthetic principles and theories
- Involve students in art communities, including trips to artists’ studios and museums, theatrical and dance performances, concerts, readings and other arts related events
- Bring the creative spirit into everyday life and encourage a poetic sensitivity to the world.
THE ARTS The arts program is a key part of the curriculum and focuses on the creative process and development of technical skills in a variety of media. The courses are integrated with the humanities, math, science, technology and Spanish curricula.
Students' art projects correlate with themes and techniques used within the artistic traditions of various cultures that students study in other subject areas. Seventh graders experience an art history curriculum which emphasizes connections between cultures' arts and the historical, societal, and geographic realities that have shaped them, Student artists have opportunities to creatively express themselves in ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and textiles.
In art history, students study the painting, sculpture and architecture that coincide with the time periods covered in their humanities lessons.
DRAMA The drama program develops dramatic skills through movement, vocal techniques, and theater games. Drama is infused into the curriculum at every grade level. Through their roles as gods and goddesses in 6th grade Humanities to Shakespeare scenes in 7th grade and advanced scene work in 8th grade, girls deepen their understanding with literature and other cultures. The School offers ongoing improvisational workshops and yearly stage productions connected with course work in other subjects.
MUSIC The music program teaches movement, instrument, and song using the Orff-based approach that emphasizes elemental style across cultures. Students participate in creating music with xylophones and a variety of percussion instruments, no matter their individual level of talent, ability or exposure. In the sixth grade, the class introduces rhythmic concepts, and moves toward rhythmic complexity. Students review rudiments of music notation. They study scales and chords with the use of Orff instruments (xylophone), percussion and the body. Students work to develop vocal independence through round singing, partner songs, and two part choral works. The class emphasizes movement as a vital tool to understanding music. Much of the class work is integrated with the core curriculum and the end of the year culminates in a production of music and drama. In seventh grade, students study music notation including its origin and development. Early written music gives girls an opportunity to learn about modes or scales that are different from the common major and minor. Students develop rhythm and form to a more challenging level than in the sixth grade year. They continue to sing and learn vocal techniques and work on multi-part songs. Studies integrate with the core curriculum and include major units on European, Central and South American, Japanese, and African music. The focus of eighth grade music parallels the social studies curriculum. Students learn the history of American music through songs, dances, and games. Special emphasis is placed on jazz and the influence of Africa on American music. Students develop critical listening skills by listening to and discussing a wide variety of American music. There is also an after-school "Jam Band," where students with some instrumental proficiency develop their ensemble playing skills, performing in the Spring Concert and out in the community.
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