We believe all educated persons should have exposure to the arts. For this reason, all students participate in the arts program during each of the three years of Middle School.
ALL SIXTH AND SEVENTH GRADE STUDENTS take art, drama/acting, and music classes. Sixth Grade students take a music class all year long, two periods a week, and choose between Choir, Band, or depending on enrollment interest, an Intermediate Strings Class. The music class rotates with art and drama classes which meet for one semester each, for two periods a week.
EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS choose band, choir or art during the first semester. They will be pulled out of these classes to work on their scenes for the 8th grade musical which also occurs first semester. All students who wish to be on stage for the 8th grade musical (acting, singing, etc.) will be able to do so. Second semester, students have a choice of taking band, drama, or choir for 4 periods a week OR choosing two electives (band, drama or choir) to take 2 days each week. Art students take art 4 days a week second semester.
The OES Music program Pre K – 12 seeks to expose students
to the aesthetic and creative joy of making music. Students learn
the equal importance and interrelation of individual self-discipline
and accomplishment and of ensemble esprit-de-corps and success.
Through our music offerings, our students grow in self-esteem,
musicianship and a global awareness as we work together in the
universal language of music.
MS CHOIR
6th, 7th & 8th grade
Middle School Choir program provides students with the opportunity to experience a performance-based curriculum the entire school year. The choirs will meet every other day, allowing students to also take art and drama classes. The Sixth and Seventh Grade choirs may be divided by gender, in order to focus on the vocal changes unique to students in middle school. Students who enroll in the choir program develop fundamental skills in choral singing such as breathing, posture, music reading, three and four part harmony, performance technique, etc. No previous singing experiences or voice training is required, rather the desire and joy of learning a variety of songs in a fun, disciplined class setting. Singing techniques, sight-reading and basic music skills will be incorporated into the rehearsals. A varied repertoire includes folk, classical, pop, jazz, and multicultural music. Performance opportunities include the Advent Service, All-School Choral Concert, Middle School chapels and holiday performances.
MS INSTRUMENTAL CLASSES
Beginning Band (6th grade) all year long, 2 periods a
week
The yearlong course is open to any student who has a desire to
learn to play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. An
emphasis is placed on building a strong foundation in correct
technique, tone production and musical understanding. Students
learn basic care of their instrument, correct posture, playing
position, tone producing techniques, fingerings, and correct recognition
and performance of basic notation. The class exposes students
to the joys of all kinds of music, from Baroque and Classical
to Pop and Movie Scores. Students will develop the knowledge to
analyze and evaluate their work and the work of others. Regular
home practice is expected. The ensemble will perform several times
throughout the year at special chapels, concerts and off-campus
events.
Intermediate Band (6th grade) all year long, 2 periods
a week
This yearlong course is open to students who have engaged in instrumental
study for a period of time and who can demonstrate a basic level
of proficiency on their instruments. The class will focus on the
development of ensemble skills and attainment of intermediate
instrumental objectives. The class exposes students to the joys
of all kinds of music, from Baroque and Classical to Pop and Movie
Scores. Regular home practice is expected. The ensemble will perform
several times throughout the year at special chapels, concerts
and off-campus events.
Intermediate Band (7th grade) all year long, 2 periods
a week
This yearlong course is open to students who have engaged in instrumental
study for a period of time and who can demonstrate a basic level
of proficiency on their instruments. The class will focus on development
of ensemble skills and attainment of intermediate instrumental
objectives. The class builds upon the skill-based curriculum of
the sixth grade, to include more performance literature. Students
study a large variety of literature including selections from
graded concert band literature (classics and contemporary works),
holiday and ceremonial music, and popular selections. Students
who have not had sixth grade band may join the band program by
special permission of the director and if enrolled in private
lessons. Regular home practice is expected. The ensemble will
perform several times throughout the year at special chapels,
concerts and off-campus events.
Intermediate/Advanced Symphonic Band (7th grade) all
year long, 2 periods a week
This yearlong course is open to students who have engaged in instrumental
study for a period of time and who can demonstrate an intermediate
to advanced level of proficiency on their instruments. Placement
is by audition. The class will focus on development of ensemble
skills and attainment of intermediate to advanced instrumental
objectives. Students study a large variety of literature including
selections from graded concert band literature (classics and contemporary
works), holiday and ceremonial music, and popular selections.
Regular home practice is expected. The ensemble will perform several
times throughout the year at special chapels, concerts and off-campus
events.
Intermediate String Orchestra (6th or 7th grade, depending
on enrollment)
Fall Semester, 2 periods a week
Depending on enrollment numbers, 6th and 7th grade string players
may have the option to participate in an Intermediate Strings
class during the regular academic day. The focus of this group
is to introduce and refine students’ skills at shifting,
vibrato, and more advanced bowing techniques. After completion
of this class, students will be ready to join the more advanced
OES Orchestra (see below). Students will be exposed to all kinds
of music from Baroque and Classical to Pop. They will perform
several times throughout the year.
Advanced Symphonic Band (8th grade) 2 semesters, 2 or 4 days a week. This course is open to students who have engaged in instrumental study for a period of time and who can demonstrate an intermediate to advanced level of proficiency on their instruments. The class will focus on development of ensemble skills and attainment of intermediate to advanced instrumental objectives. Students study a large variety of literature including selections from graded concert band literature (classics and contemporary works), holiday and ceremonial music, and popular selections. The first term is spent learning music for the 8th grade theater production in addition to preparing concert band literature. Regular home practice is expected. The ensemble will perform several times throughout the year at special chapels, concerts and off-campus events.
Additional Middle School Music class options:
The All School OES String Orchestra and the Middle School Preparatory
Jazz Band are additional/optional music classes, but do not fulfill
the music requirement for Middle School students.
Middle School Preparatory Jazz Band all year, 3 days
a week, 0 period (before school hours)
OES This exciting and fun ensemble is an opportunity for the motivated
and experienced student instrumentalist to experience performance
through the jazz medium. Offered in a zero period before school
three times a week, the Middle School Jazz Band class will focus
on development of individual and ensemble skills, as well as the
attainment of intermediate to advanced instrumental objectives.
Students will study a large variety of literature including selections
from graded jazz band literature (classics and contemporary works),
holiday and ceremonial music, and popular selections. The ensemble
will perform several times throughout the year at special concerts
and off-campus events. Assignments will include composing and/or
improvising to a typical blues progression, ear training, transcribing
solos and analyzing the performances of selected jazz innovators.
Membership is by audition and with approval of the instructor. Concurrent membership in MS concert band is required for MS jazz band participation.
OES String Orchestra (LS/MS/US students) all year, 2 days a week,
0 period (before school hours)
Offered in the zero period before school, two times a week, the
OES Orchestra provides an opportunity for intermediate and advanced
orchestra musicians (violin, viola, cello, bass) to perform in
a multi-divisional, ability-based ensemble. OES Orchestra students
learn a wide variety of repertoire including Baroque, Classical,
Romantic and 20th Century orchestral music. Emphasis is placed
on orchestral playing techniques (intonation, playing in an ensemble,
phrasing, etc.), musicality, and understanding the form and function
of the music played. The OES Orchestra will perform at a number
of events during the year including the annual Advent Service,
chapel services and concert events. Subject to scheduling, the
OES Orchestra may occasionally be combined with the US Concert
Band to form a more advanced symphonic orchestra. Upper School
students receive one semester of Academic credit for participation
in the ensemble over the course of a year. All interested string
players are encouraged to join. Musicians need to be able to shift
and use vibrato comfortably on their instruments to join (or upon
the director’s discretion).
OES Instrument Rentals
OES has a wide collection of musical instruments including timpani, marimba, woodwinds (bassoon, piccolo), brass (tubas, French horn, baritone, euphonium) and stringed instruments.
Students are encouraged to participate in the OES Instrument Rental program. Students will be required to fill out the Music Equipment Liability Agreement and Musical Instrument Responsibilities forms.
A modest rental fee, maintenance user fee, and security deposit are required. Students who already own their own instruments and who are encouraged by the director to play a new instrument in order to balance the ensemble instrumentation may be exempt from the rental fees.
All students using school-owned instruments which remain in the school classroom (piano, marimba, guitars, and percussion instruments) will need to fill out the Music Equipment Liability Agreement and Musical Instrument Responsibilities form. A modest Maintenance User fee of $50 per year is charged to the student’s account, and is non-refundable. This is used to cover repairs and the normal upkeep to the school property.
Contact Nancy Teskey 503-416-9284 for more information on Instrument Rentals.
The content of all Middle School art classes consists of the
elements of art (line, shape, texture, color, value), principles
of design (balance, rhythm, harmony, dominance), the nature and
artistic potential of various art media (paint, pencil, clay,
etc.), a brief introduction to art history, and some experience
evaluating works of art.
Middle Schoolers are taught to carry an idea from inception
through intermediate stages to final form, always being open to
redesign as may be necessary. Within given parameters, students
are encouraged to solve usual design problems as innovatively
as possible, while still being considerate of good craftsmanship.
The spiritual and personal development component of the art
classes teaches that art processes and creativity can be learned
and developed, that they are not only for the talented, and that
artistic pursuits help round out an educational experience, which
tends to be primarily left-brained.
Sixth Grade Drama/Acting is an introductory class designed to give
each student frequent opportunities to learn new skills and practice
them in class. To that end, we use improvisational games and exercises
to provide many confidence-building experiences in the classroom.
We also spend time learning the art of storytelling. At the end
of the term, the class dramatizes four to five different picture
books then performs them for the younger students in the Lower
School.
In the Seventh Grade, explicit teaching of acting techniques
increases through the targeted use of improvisational exercises.
Improvisation offers frequent and relaxed opportunities for performance,
and allows the students to study new skills while working within
a comfortable framework. Students are expected to participate
everyday, be supportive of their peers, and expand the boundaries
of their individual capabilities.
The Eighth Grade drama/acting class introduces and expands such skills as concentration, emotional recall, movement, timing, character development, stage directions, line memorization, and scene work. While we still do improvisational work to help us explore new techniques, we spend a great deal of time working with written material. For the Eighth Grade theater production, the Music, Art and Drama/Acting classes combine so that the entire Eighth Grade class is involved in the creation and performance of our production. This class production is an important part of the art curriculum as well as the punctuation point to the student’s Middle School experience.
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