Performing Arts

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Midi Projects

Ninth graders launch their first Midi creations.  Log in to view more.

Dance hypnotically ... Sing joyously ... Inspire genuinely ... Explore deeply ... Strum ... or hum ... merrily ... Perform extraordinarily ...

Shakespeare reminds us that “All the world’s a stage;” Maret students explore every inch of that gloriously sprawling platform. Whether playing Orff instruments in the Lower School, raising beautiful voices in the Middle School chorus, or lending their prodigious talents to the Upper School Musical, students are taught the joys of the full range of performing arts.

Musical expression and musical literacy are fundamental to Maret’s college-preparatory K-12 curriculum. Various instruments and vocal techniques are incorporated in classes that begin in the elementary school and continue through graduation. Starting in kindergarten, children participate in vocal ensembles, developing their voices as they learn tone and range extension. Equally important is the musical knowledge necessary to become an engaged and appreciative audience member.

As talents evolve, older Maret students may focus on honing their vocal skills, expanding their instrumental prowess, or exploring the drama of theatrical performance, including classical acting, dance, improvisation, and play production.  Classes are performance-oriented, with numerous opportunities to showcase burgeoning talent before appreciative audiences on campus and
beyond.

In addition to our numerous performing arts classes, there are many extracurricular opportunities to engage in the performing arts.

Lower School

Inspired by the Kodaly and Orff philosophies, the Lower School music curriculum encourages a lifelong love of music through musical expression and the mastery of musical literacy. From the earliest grades, children participate in vocal ensembles, developing their voices as they learn healthy tone production and range extension. To build a foundation in creative movement, they explore elements of dance.

Middle School

Maret’s Middle School broadens and develops varied experiences in creating, performing, and analyzing music as well as in drama, dance, and theater technology. The music curriculum emphasizes composition and improvisation, performances within and outside the school community, greater understanding of cultural and historical perspectives, and increasing knowledge of notation, structure, and form. The drama program provides an introduction to theater as a performing art, with emphasis on the development of characterization, physical movement, choreography and blocking as well as the basic techniques of acting.

Upper School

The Upper School offers performing arts opportunities in the choral and instrumental music, drama, and theater technology. In addition to the many performing ensembles, theater productions, and academic classes, the department supports several extracurricular activities.