Middle School Arts

The Middle School Band program at The Out-of-Door Academy offers students a comprehensive and engaging musical journey, welcoming learners at various levels of experience. Students begin by selecting from traditional band instruments—including flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba, and percussion—and learning the fundamentals necessary to play in a collaborative, ensemble setting. Emphasis is placed on developing note-reading skills, rhythmic understanding, instrumental technique, dynamics, and essential musical terminology.

As students progress through the band program from sixth to eighth grade, they deepen their musicianship by studying standard band literature from the classical Western repertoire. They build fluency in reading music at level 2 and gain familiarity with B♭, E♭, A♭, and D♭ major scales, eventually working toward mastering all 12 major scales and the chromatic scale. Core musical skills—intonation, dynamics, articulation, and rhythmic accuracy—are continually reinforced, and students are expected to develop consistent, independent practice habits.

Throughout the school year, students rehearse and prepare for multiple performance opportunities with the larger Middle School Band (grades 6–8), showcasing their growth and teamwork in concerts for the school community. With each year, students become more confident musicians, capable of following a conductor, interpreting complex scores, and contributing to a dynamic ensemble experience.

The Middle School Choir program offers students a dynamic and progressive exploration of vocal music in an ensemble setting. Beginning with foundational vocal techniques—such as breath support, posture, vowel production, and basic score reading—students learn to sing in harmony, initially in two parts and gradually advancing to three-part harmonies as their skills develop. Throughout the year, students perform a wide range of musical styles, including traditional choral works, jazz, musical theater, pop, Broadway, and classic rock, fostering versatility and engagement with diverse genres and time periods.

In addition to vocal work, students study music theory fundamentals, including rhythmic values, key signatures, and sight-singing. Emphasis is placed on intonation, dynamics, articulation, rhythmic accuracy, and ensemble balance. Students gain confidence through solo opportunities in a supportive classroom environment and perform memorized repertoire in concerts throughout the year.

Students are also encouraged to audition for school musicals as an extension of their choral experience, further enriching their performance and vocal training. With each year, chorus students grow as confident, expressive, and collaborative musicians ready to take on more advanced challenges.

The Middle School Orchestra program offers a performance-based, developmental experience for students playing string instruments—violin, viola, cello, and bass—regardless of their starting ability level. Students begin by learning the fundamentals of string playing, including proper technique, bowing principles, and note reading. As they progress, they explore a diverse repertoire of music while continuing to refine their skills in ensemble playing and musical expression.

Throughout middle school, students deepen their technical and musical understanding by mastering key scales such as G, D, A, and E major, advancing into 2nd, 3rd, and 4th positions, and reading music at level 2. Emphasis is placed on intonation, dynamics, articulation, and rhythmic accuracy. Students also build independence by learning to tune their instruments, analyze key signatures, and adopt effective practice strategies.

Rehearsals include standard works from the classical Western canon, preparing students for multiple concert performances with the full Middle School Orchestra (grades 6–8) across the academic year. Students are expected to follow a conductor early in the year and gradually take greater responsibility for their musical development. With each grade level, orchestra students grow as skilled, confident ensemble players capable of contributing meaningfully to increasingly sophisticated performances.

The Middle School Theater Arts program introduces students to the exciting world of acting and theatrical production through a collaborative, supportive, and creative environment. Beginning with the fundamentals, students explore essential actor’s tools—body, voice, and imagination—while learning to create characters, demonstrate effective stage movement, and perform confidently. As they progress, students delve into a variety of theatrical disciplines including musical theater, film acting, directing, storytelling, pantomime, mask making, and puppetry. In addition to acting, students are introduced to technical elements of theater, from design to final production, gaining a well-rounded understanding of the theater-making process.

Each year builds upon the previous, allowing students to apply their developing skills in increasingly complex and creative ways. A strong emphasis is placed on ensemble work, and students are encouraged to be positive, encouraging members of the classroom community—creating a safe space where all learners can take risks and grow. Participation in after-school drama productions, including plays and musicals, is strongly encouraged, giving students authentic opportunities to bring their learning to the stage and share their talents with the wider school community.

In this course, students immerse themselves in a vibrant exploration of the visual arts, using a wide variety of materials and techniques to express their creativity and emotions. Through painting, drawing, ceramics, and mixed media projects, students not only build technical skills but also learn to use art as a powerful tool for personal expression. Emotional storytelling is a central focus, with students encouraged to explore their inner world and communicate ideas, feelings, and experiences through their work.

In addition to traditional art forms, students engage in unique creative experiences such as stop-motion photography using clay, blending hands-on craftsmanship with imaginative storytelling. They also gain exposure to the work of influential artists from diverse cultures and time periods, deepening their appreciation for artistic expression across history.

While the emphasis is on traditional media, students are introduced to basic digital tools like Adobe Photoshop and other tools in the Adobe Creative Suite to complement their learning.