Arts, Music and Performances

The Arts are considered to be an essential part of the Country Day experience. From the junior pre-kindergarten program through the fifth grade, the children are treated to weekly art classes during which they are able to create, experiment, and learn how to use a wide variety of media. They not only have fun drawing, painting, making collages and building three-dimensional creations, but they also learn a lot about the world of art and architecture.

They might be introduced to the works of famous artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet and James Rousseau, and then they might create their own masterpieces in the style of the artists about whom they have learned. After studying what an architect does, they might pretend they have been commissioned to design a door for a fancy new building. The Art classes are often tied in with the curriculum, so that a class who is studying Native Americans might make Native American pottery or a group who is planning a puppet show might build their own puppets and scenery for the production. If you want a true idea of how Country Day students experience art, please visit the school and admire our walls and other display areas throughout the building. You will see wonderful examples created by our own budding artists and nurtured by our talented teaching staff.

At Country Day, the students are actively engaged in singing and making music. During the twice-a-week classes in the music room, the children can be heard singing enthusiastically, keeping the beat with their hands, feet or instruments, learning new ways to use their voices, and developing the confidence to sing and perform in front of a larger group.

Throughout the year, every class plans a play and performs it on stage in front of a larger school and parent audience. The school believes that the many rehearsals are beneficial in ways that go far beyond putting on a successful play. Learning the lines and songs, rehearsing on stage, listening to and remembering directions, contributing ideas to the productions, and taking care of each other provide a foundation for building life skills. By working together on a common performance project, the students learn the true meaning of community. While having a great time, they develop confidence, self-discipline, coordination, and mutual support. If you are lucky enough to see one of our productions, you will be treated to a stage filled with joyful performers bursting with pride and delight.