VISUAL ARTS
Formal instruction in the visual arts exists either as part of the core curriculum or through co-curricular activities. Students take visual art classes from Pre-Kindergarten through Ninth Grade. Art enrichment courses begin in sixth grade, giving Upper Middle School students variety in their studies.
In Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten, many art media are explored, including easel painting, finger painting, clay, glue, and collage. In First through Ninth grade, a more in-depth art concentration is provided. Students are exposed to the full range of traditional art media, including ceramics, drawing, printmaking, painting, sculpture, photography, and jewelry making.
Art is combined with other curricular areas to form interesting and meaningful interdisciplinary units. Middle school students participate in the TABS (Teaching for Artistic Behaviors) program for art instruction. TABS provides students the option to represent the theme or topic in the art medium of their choice. Middle school students also travel to regional art museums and complete projects involving research, writing, and production of projects focusing on particular artists and styles of art.
All students from Pre-Kindergarten through Ninth Grade participate in the annual Art Show which takes place during Youth Art Month in March.
MUSIC
The SRS music program is part of the core curriculum from Pre-Kindergarten through Ninth Grade. Music instruction includes creating music, performing music, and responding to music. SRS students learn an extensive and diverse repertoire of vocal music. Improvisation, composition, and arranging are further areas of study that are integral to our program. Through classroom and computer based instruction, students achieve fluency in all aspects of music notation. Students have regular performance opportunities in classes, assemblies, and formal concerts held throughout the year.
In addition to the core curriculum, private lessons are offered in the following instruments, with regular recitals offered to showcase students’ progress:
- Baritone Horn
- Bass Guitar
- Cello
- Clarinet
- Drum set
- Flute
- Guitar
- Piano
- Saxophone
- Synthesizer
- Trombone
- Trumpet
- Violin
- Voice
- Other concert band instruments (as requested)
Sing-Alongs, A Beloved Shaker Road School Tradition
For decades, Shaker Road School students in the Infant, Toddler, Pre-K, and Kindergarten Programs have joined together every week for informal, fun group singing. SRS sing-alongs are often accompanied by ukulele and incorporate hand and body movements.
Pre-K and Kindergarten sing-alongs take place in addition to weekly music classes and provide an opportunity for these students to get their bodies and minds working together, build motor skills, learn new sounds and words, strengthen their memory and listening skills, and practice self-expression!
DRAMA
Drama is a popular after school extra-curricular program for students in Grades 1 through 9. In the primary grades, students participate in “mini-drama” sessions that include a variety of performances from early winter to late spring. This allows younger students a fun and age-appropriate introduction to stage performance as a member of a relatively small cast. Participants rehearse weekly to prepare a session-end performance for families and other students.
Drama for students in Grades 6 through 9 runs from early winter until the large-cast production in spring. Roles are assigned based on auditions, but there is a “no-cut” tradition that generally enables everyone who is willing to commit to the rehearsal schedule to participate. The spring play is a huge team effort, usually involving several students in either on-stage or backstage roles, and many faculty, staff, and parents working together on direction, music, costumes, props, scenery, lights, sound, programs, and more.
DANCE
Dance instruction is offered to students in Pre-Kindergarten through Ninth Grade after school from September through April. Instruction in tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, and tumbling is offered to Pre-Kindergarten students. Tap, jazz, and hip hop classes are available to students in Grades one through nine. A dance recital is held in April at the Concord City Auditorium to showcase the students’ hard work.