The Department of the Arts seeks to provide all middle school students with experience in the visual and performing arts. At each level, courses aim to encourage individual creative expression, an appropriate degree of technical proficiency, communication with the public through exhibitions and performances and appreciation of the work of others. Courses also provide the girls with a sense of the place of the arts in history as well as in our contemporary society. Students build a working vocabulary of art terms. Focusing on the interests and level of ability of the specific middle school age group, the offerings are part of the total arts program at Greenwich Academy. The department seeks to create an atmosphere which enables the girls to have fun while learning. In Group VIII most courses in the arts are elective. At this level a student is required to take at least one course in art, drama or music and may elect to take as many as three. Dance is required for at least one quarter in Groups VII and VIII.

Group V Visual Arts:
In Group V Art craftsmanship, creativity, and organization are emphasized. In the course of the year, Group V students work in all available media and utilize every item in their Art Kit. Students begin the year by making Cray-Pas Art Nouveau floral studies. Other works include sculpting of clay figures, design components of "Molas" created by the Cuna Indians of Panama, mixing of colored paints to observing the effect of value changes. Students design and draw Egyptian Figures and cryptographs to simulate tomb painting. Realistic pencil drawings of trees are drawn from life. Using Ink Resist techniques, floral designs that look like Stained Glass are created.
The techniques of Water Color are explored. Reproductions of other artist’s work are we studied and copied.

Group VI Art:
The exciting and playful work of Romero Britto, a Brazilian artist, are explored by students and the results are on view at Curriculum Night. Students also construct imaginative Clay Face, stuffed paper fish and highly textured and detailed Mosaics. Students learn about tones and make value charts. With the understanding of the use of value to create form, the students draw folded pieces of paper and shadow patterns under controlled lighting conditions.

Mono-Print painting generates much excitement in Group VI. In addition, students learn to use Ink Resist techniques students create floral designs that look like Stained Glass. The techniques of Water Color are explored as students study and copy reproductions of other artist’s work.

Group VII Art:
Group VII studies and creates the remarkable Drawings of Shoes that are displayed at Curriculum Night. Students also plan and execute large Kaleidoscope Designs. Students create a ceramic Base Relief Wall Plaque, a project which includes firing, varnishing and painting. And, they assemble and paint Foot Stools. The painting involved illustrations and decoration that follow the students personal interest.

Group VIII Art:
In September, Group VIII students work on individual projects favoring their own interest and skills. Projects include Chair painting, computer art, collage and other individual projects. In the second quarter, Group VIII student design and execute of Scratch Boards that incorporate themes of the girls choosing. These are then copied and reduced to make Note Cards. Students also use the scratch board imagery to make a Basket-Weave Picture assembled from different colored papers with the same image reproduced on them.

Group VIII’s section on Two-Point Perspective is challenging and rewarding. Students discover how to view the same three-dimensional object from different positions within the same picture. Students also learn the vocabulary of three-point perspective.

Students complete Ceramic Wall Plaques that have Base relief imagery. They also create large black and white Drawings of Faces in gray pastels to study the effects of dramatic lighting. Using Ink Resist techniques, students create arbitrary designs that look like Stained Glass. Students also study and create Optical Illusions, and in doing so learn how the viewer of art is manipulated to see what the artist wishes. Using the pencil, students build a value system that is used to create a design study exploring negative and positive space. The techniques of Water Color are explored as reproductions of other artist’s work are studied and copied.

Dance V:
The Group V dance program offers a smooth transition from lower to middle school dance. Fundamental principles of modern and ballet techniques are introduced. Often using poetry as inspiration, students study dance composition by working on improvisation, choreographic studies and dances for performance.

Dance VI:
Group IV dance students continue to study the basic principles of modern and ballet techniques. Inspired by poems, paintings, props, pastimes and personal preoccupations, communication through movement is explored with individual and group improvisations. After working and reworking phrases, students choreograph dances in small groups for the final project.

Dance VII:
Group VII may take dance once a week instead of physical education during the first three quarters. Anyone who has not elected dance during that period is required to take dance in the fourth quarter. Principles of dance composition are studied during the first three quarters to provide choreographic skills to students in Dance Club. Students in the fourth quarter class enjoy creating small group dances for video performances.

Dance VIII:
Group VIII is offered dance once or twice a week as an alternative to physical education during the first three quarters. Anyone who has not elected dance during that period is required to take dance in the fourth quarter. During the first three quarters, jazz and modern techniques are studied. Students also prepare a project suitable for performance for elementary school children in the area. Fourth-quarter students investigate sound eating habits, body awareness and exercises to maintain a toned, flexible body.

MS Dance Club
Dance Club meets during the first three quarters on Monday from 4 to 5 p.m. unless there is a more suitable day for interested students. Members choreograph dances, which are performed in assembly, nursing homes and for major middle school productions. Members also must take dance class offered during the school day.

MS Drama Courses
Drama and speech are included in all English courses. Additionally, each Advisory section in Group V produces a play, Group VI participates in a Medieval Fair, Group VII presents a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta and Group VIII stars in an original musical. Extra-curricular drama opportunities in coordination with Brunswick also exist.

Vocal Music V:
Because one's own singing voice is a very personal possession, the most important goal of this course is to enable every student to feel comfortable in her singing. By listening carefully to oneself and one another, every girl can sing beautifully within a group. Class periods are devoted to the singing and perfecting of songs (including two-part), with careful emphasis on singing naturally and with attention to accurate pitches, articulation of words and breathing as facilitator of both good tone and musical line. Ear training and concepts of reading notation are an integral part of the class period. There are many opportunities for girls to sing for one another, either as solos or in small groups, and all participate in several performances during the year.

Vocal Music VI:
Vocal Music VI is a continuation of the philosophy and emphasis described in Vocal Music V.

Vocal Music VII:
Vocal Music VII continues to build on each girl's individual abilities. Girls read and memorize two-part music for performances and also present a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. Music is chosen to appeal to their interest, and rehearsals are devoted to listening for ensemble blend, breath control, articulation of vowel and consonant sounds, independence in holding one's part, and improvement of reading concepts through sight-singing practice The three years encompassing Groups V, VI and VII provide a solid foundation for Group VIII and upper school choruses.

Chorus VIII:
This ensemble is open to any girl who wants to sing and recognizes the effort and dedication required. The chorus introduces two- and three-part harmony at this level of singing and encourages girls to use their skills in sight-reading music of all types. Beyond a sharpening of musical skills, the singers experience a sense of accomplishment, musicianship and group effort as they reach higher levels of performance. Concerts include Christmas and spring performances and assemblies as well as community performances.

Voice Group VIII:
This course is for the beginning student in voice and is generally designed to come before private study. The class is limited in size and offers basic vocal instruction by providing time for individual practice and encouraging students to listen to one another. The course will attempt to put aside many fears and false notions regarding the art of vocal production.

MS String Ensemble
The following will be scheduled if there is adequate interest.

• Piano and Flute Instruction - Private piano and flute lessons are available during the school day.
• Voice Instruction - Groups VII and VIII
• Private lessons may be offered to girls who have shown exceptional interest in music and in the development of voice for solo and ensemble singing.