Fine Arts

Opportunities for artistic expression are unusually rich and varied at Burgundy. Children have classes in art, drama, and music in which they experiment, learn technical skills, and broaden their aesthetic awareness.

Performing arts begins in second grade with weekly drama classes that engage students in improvisation, movement, skit writing, and other modes of expression. Burgundy's performing arts curriculum develops student's capacity for creative expression, knowledge of our heritage arts, ability to appreciate Drama and Theater, and aesthetic perception. Drama exercises enhance poise, confidence, versatility in verbal expression, self-discipline, collaborative work, and respect for others. The performing arts program culminates in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade dramatic productions for the entire school community. Middle School students may also elect to participate in an acclaimed Shakespearean theater program.

Visual arts begins in Junior Kindergarten and expands to a broad Middle School elective program that includes offerings such as photography, ceramics, and mural painting. Art classes encourage self-confidence through self-expression, appreciation for the arts, inventiveness and experimentation, sequential thinking, decision-making, aesthetic discrimination, respect for materials and tools, respect for and cooperation with others, and knowledge of art in other cultures and throughout history. Classes meet in our art studios where students work on potters' wheels, develop film in the darkroom, paint, draw, sculpt, and make prints. Student use a wide range of two and three-dimensional mediums (media) to produce work that is showcased at every opportunity and, in particular, during the Arts Festival each spring.

The music program focuses on music literacy and appreciation while integrating classroom subject areas. The music curriculum is provides musical experiences that develop positive attitudes toward music of different cultures, skills in expressing music, knowledge of the arts in connection to music, and appreciation of musicals and theater. Music classes strive to enhance children's enjoyment and knowledge of music by creating and performing music through singing and playing Orff instruments and recorders. Instruction covers rhythm, melody, harmony, form, and tone color. Students also learn to read music and enjoy many opportunities for vocal performance.