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Visual and Performing Arts

Head-Royce provides all students a well balanced curriculum including a strong arts program focusing on the four disciplines of dance, theatre, music and visual arts. The arts play a key role in developing the whole child and provide opportunities to understand and appreciate the larger world around them. From arts integration in the classroom to formal instruction, Head-Royce delivers a diversified and professional art program to every student.



Music

Music

The Lower School music program is based on the Orff-Schulwerk approach of music and movement education. Students experience concepts and ideas through whole-body activities and have many opportunities to create in a cooperative setting. Along with singing and dancing, instrumental work includes various percussion and Orff instruments, recorders, ukuleles, and African marimbas.

Music is a strong component of the Middle School arts program. The curriculum focuses on developing group performance skills and individual expression and students can choose to be in choir, concert band, jazz band, or songwriting.

The Upper School music curriculum offers students a variety of opportunities from introductory to advanced vocal and instrumental classes, including AP music theory. Our award-winning choral and jazz ensembles, Colla Voce and Caravan, have an active performance schedule throughout the year at community events and music festivals.



Theater

 

Theater

Middle and Upper School students have the opportunity to take drama classes as a part of our elective course offerings.

Also, each grade in the Lower School produces and performs an original play each year, while the theatre department presents two plays, one in the Fall and one in Spring with Upper School students performing on stage and working behind the scenes.

 

 



Visual Arts

Visual Arts

The Lower School follows the Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) pedagogy, a choice-based program. Students spend some time in skill-based centers, learning the medium of each space––such as drawing and collage––and the majority of their classes are self-guided by the students' own curiosity. Read more about TAB in the Lower School here

Students then deepen their understanding of what it means to develop an artistic practice in our Middle School art program, with opportunities to create paintings, sculptures, collages, films, and more. Upper School artists build a disciplined studio process through a more focused exploration of studio art, sculpture, photography, and film-making.

Each year, student-artists present their work in an All-School Art Exhibit, showcasing their talent and creativity.



Dance

 

Dance

Dance at Head-Royce is offered throughout the K-12 curriculum. Students explore space, time, and energy while practicing how to see, hear, and express themselves through movement. In the Upper School, dance is offered as an elective from the beginning to advanced levels. Students practice contemporary technique and study the craft of choreography through guided creative process. Dance at Head-Royce is open to all students and taught as an expressive art, with a focus on personal growth and instilling a sense of community and artistic values. Performance opportunities exist for each age and level of dancer.