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Arts - Fine & Performing

Matthew Royal, Director of Fine and Performing Arts
(914) 630-3043
royalm@harrisoncsd.org
 
 
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW: FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS 

The Harrison Central School District's Fine and Performing Arts Department recognizes every child as an artist, musician, dancer, and actor and is proud to offer all students the opportunity to develop and explore each of these creative avenues while a student in Harrison. 

The arts shape how we see ourselves and the world around us, providing us with insights about our shared past, lenses through which we can interpret the present, and avenues to express our hopes for the future. In studying the arts, students learn to think and work creatively as they develop and refine their personal voice and express ideas with increased levels of complexity and authenticity. 

Harrison Fine and Performing Arts provides a relevant and student-centered course of instruction, grounded in the attributes of the IB learner profile, that embraces the cooperative work of parents, teachers, students, and the community. We are invested in a collaborative approach, working in concert with one another to support student development, participation, and success in the arts from kindergarten through graduation and beyond.

Our Fine and Performing Arts program is designed in alignment with the new New York State Standards for the Arts, which are structured around the artistic processes of Creating, Presenting/Performing/Producing, Responding and Connecting. The NYS Standards for the Arts includes five disciplines, and our arts curricula proudly provides students with opportunities to experience each: Music, Visual Art, Media Art, Dance and Theater.

 

ELEMENTARY K-5: FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS

Elementary students are introduced to both visual art and general music in grades K-5. Throughout their artistic education in elementary school, students explore the foundational elements of art and music, analyze the works of a wide and varied repertoire of artists, and gain authentic artistic opportunities through performance-based assessments and community presentations such as annual winter and spring concerts.

Every elementary student is provided with the opportunity to showcase their artwork to the school and local community, participate in music festivals sponsored by the New York State School Music Association, and  take part in a musical theater production which incorporates Broadway acting, singing, and dancing. The course offerings by grade level are listed below:

  • Kindergarten-Grade 2: Visual Art & General Music

  • Grade 3: Visual Art & General Music (Recorder Method)

  • Grade 4: Visual Art, General Music (Choral Emphasis), and option to begin Instrumental Studies in Orchestra or Band

  • Grade 5: Visual Art, General Music (Choral Emphasis), and Instrumental Studies in Orchestra or Band

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL 6-8: FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS

Students at Louis M. Klein Middle School have the opportunity to study visual art, digital design, chorus, band, percussion, orchestra, and general music. The middle school experience is grounded in the IB Middle Years Program (MYP) Arts Programme, providing students with an inquiry-based curriculum through which they can develop their artistic skills and understanding. Our middle school students engage in authentic artistic opportunities through performance-based assessments and community presentations such as annual winter and spring concerts and the LMK Art Show. 

Our middle school students showcase their work to the school and local communities, participate in music festivals sponsored by the New York State School Music Association, and take part in a fall musical theater production. The course offerings by grade level are listed below:

  • Grade 6: Visual Art, Digital Design, General Music, Chorus, Band, and Orchestra

  • Grade 7: Visual Art, Digital Design, General Music, Chorus, Band, and Orchestra

  • Grade 8: Visual Art, Elective Visual Art, Digital Design, Chorus, Band, Orchestra, and Theater

 

HIGH SCHOOL 9-12: FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS

The Harrison High School Fine and Performing Arts programs prepare students for life-long participation in the arts, including the ability to pursue professional studies in the arts in college. Our arts pathways enable students to enter the IB program in grade 11, which consists of offerings in Dance, Theater, Visual Art, and Music.

Students enrolled in studio art, studies in visual arts, ceramics, and drawing and painting display their work throughout the community, as well as participate in local competitions and gallery exhibitions.

Students enrolled in music, dance, or theater are provided with solo and ensemble performance opportunities in winter and spring concerts, in addition to participating in workshops conducted by industry professionals. Our high school students participate in several music festivals sponsored by the New York State School Music Association. Additionally, students may choose to participate in national adjudicated arts opportunities at festivals held around the country. Students may participate in the fall drama performance, one-act festival, and spring musical theater production, regardless of the artistic discipline studied. Course offerings are listed below:

  • Grade   9: Dance, Visual Art (Studio in Art), Theater, Music (Chorus, Band, Orchestra, Percussion), MyTunes

  • Grade 10: Dance, Visual Art (Drawing & Painting, Ceramics), Digital Design I, Theater, Music (Chorus, Band, Orchestra, Percussion), Music Analysis

  • Grade 11: IB Dance, Visual Art (Drawing & Painting, Ceramics), IB Visual Art, Digital Design II, IB Theater, Music (Chorus, Band, Orchestra, Percussion), IB Music

  • Grade 12: IB Dance, Visual Art (Drawing & Painting, Ceramics), IB Visual Art, Digital Design III, IB Theater, Music (Chorus, Band, Orchestra, Percussion), IB Music