Music 

The grade 5 music program focuses on building a strong foundation for music learning. Using instruments and teaching techniques from the Orff method, students are encouraged to learn music as a language, one word at a time. Classes consist of singing traditional melodies by ear, while gradually incorporating the rudiments of music theory. Students transfer their knowledge to the classroom instruments, singing and playing simultaneously. By the end of their grade 5 year, students will feel comfortable singing and reading melodies with different rhythms and will have completed the “prep” level of the Royal Conservatory of music theory. Grade 5 students have the opportunity to explore band instruments during the co-curricular, after school arts program.

As an instrumental introduction to band, this course is designed for students with limited or no previous band experience. Some previous practical experience on the piano, guitar, or an orchestral instrument is an advantage, but not necessary. Throughout the year, students learn basic techniques and acquire reading skills on their concert band instrument. Through exposure to suitable elementary repertoire, students develop a sense of ensemble skills and achieve a reasonable facility on a band instrument by the end of the year. Students prepare a solo at around a Level 1 difficulty, which is played with an accompaniment track in front of the class near the end of May.

In addition, every student performs on stage with the Grade 6 Concert Band during the end-of-year Middle School Music Night. Development of the non-performance areas of listening, ear training, and music theory is integrated into the course. Ear training and music theory are evaluated at regular intervals throughout the year. Participation in a St. Andrew's music ensemble is encouraged and private lessons are available through our St. Andrew’s Academy of Music.

Students in this course are streamed at the beginning of the year into an experienced or beginner class. For the experienced group, one or more years of study on a band instrument is preferred. The beginner class is comprised of new boys who have little to no experience on a band instrument. Students are exposed to a wide variety of Level 1.5 repertoire. Development of the non-performance areas of music theory, listening, ear training, and history is integrated into the course; ear training and theory are evaluated at regular intervals throughout the year. Students prepare a solo that they choose at their ability level, which is played with an accompaniment track in front of the class near the end of the year. In addition, every student performs on stage with a concert band during the end-of-year Middle School Music Night. Participation in a St. Andrew's ensemble is encouraged and private lessons are available on any instrument through our St. Andrew’s Academy of Music.

Students in this course are streamed at the beginning of the year into an experienced or beginner class. For the experienced group, two or more years of study on a band instrument is preferred. The beginner class is comprised of new boys who have little to no experience on a band instrument. The course primarily focuses on learning about music through performance, as students are exposed to a wide variety of Level 2 repertoire. Development of the non-performance areas of music theory, listening, ear training, and history is integrated into the course; ear training and music theory are evaluated at regular intervals throughout the year. Students prepare a solo that they choose at their ability level, which is played with an accompaniment track in front of the class near the end of the year. There is also a final theory evaluation, which is held at the end of the year. In addition, every student performs on stage with a concert band during the end-of-year Middle School Music Night. Participation in a St. Andrew's ensemble is strongly encouraged and private lessons are available through our St. Andrew’s Academy of Music.

 

The visual arts include the traditional fine arts of drawing, painting, sculpting, printmaking, architecture, and photography. The visual arts curriculum is intended to help students develop their creativity, as well as the ability to communicate with other people through visual images. In learning to express themselves in visual ways, students will sharpen their powers of observation. In developing the ability to analyze and describe works of art from various historical periods and in different styles, they will also learn to understand and appreciate a wide variety of artworks.

This course will teach students to trust their natural artistic curiosity through exploration with colour, texture, and a plethora of creative themes. Working with a variety of mediums, such as painting, sculpture, and photography, students will have fun while being their authentic, creative selves. Some famous art masterpieces, such as Van Gogh’s and Dali’s works, will also be studied and replicated. Finally, art reflections will be written upon the completion of each art project which will examine the students’ process.

In Grade 6 the students are taught the basics of art, and they begin to develop their skills. The major units in this course are colour theory, drawing and painting techniques, ceramics, printmaking, sculpture, and the elements of art. The boys also learn to develop a sketchbook and document their ideas in two-dimensions.

In Grade 7 the students continue to develop their art skills in more depth. The assignments become more technical; however, the objective is still based on progression and improving their art. 

In the arts comprehensive course, the visual arts component is a continuation of improving on their skills. Students explore various media and are introduced to a variety of projects. The big themes are modern art and graffiti, the Group of Seven, and the principles of design.