Performing Arts
In Performing Arts classes students gain new perspectives, skills, and confidence—not just for the stage, but for life.
Goals
Dramatic expression and music literacy taught through a variety of Performing Arts classes are fundamental to Maret’s K-12 curriculum. Equally important is the knowledge necessary to become an engaged and appreciative audience member. Each year, Maret’s Performing Arts students take new journeys around the world, exploring different cultures through music and theatre, as well as highlighting a variety of current world themes.
How We Teach
Various instrumental and vocal techniques are incorporated in the lower school music curriculum. In Middle School, students have the opportunity to focus on band or chorus or try both. Drama is added in sixth grade, and improv is an option for seventh and eighth grade. Technical Theatre is another option for eighth graders. As talents evolve, upper school students may focus on honing their vocal skills, expanding their instrumental prowess, or exploring other elements of performance studies, including acting, dance, improvisation, and technical production. Classes are performance-oriented with numerous opportunities to showcase burgeoning talent before appreciative audiences on campus and beyond.
Theatre at Maret
Curriculum Snapshot
In addition to many performing ensembles, theater productions, and academic classes, the department supports several extracurricular activities in the performing arts.
LOWER SCHOOL
Students are encouraged to nurture a lifelong love of music through musical expression and the mastery of foundational music skills such as counting rhythms, recognizing patterns, reading notation, and matching pitch with their voice. Starting in kindergarten, children participate in vocal ensembles, explore elements of dance, and are introduced to a variety of musical instruments.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Performing Arts program broadens and develops varied experiences in creating, performing, and analyzing music. Drama, dance, and technical theatre are explored as well. Middle school students present two concerts, one at the end of each semester, in addition to performances during special school events. A play or musical is presented on alternating years for the Maret community.
UPPER SCHOOL
Students are offered classes in choral and instrumental music with performances outside of school in festivals and locations outside of the DC area. Performance studies and technical theatre classes provide opportunities for students to examine the world through the lens of theatre as well as to act, write, direct, design, and build for performances. All courses can be taken more than once. The Upper School presents a play, a musical, and an evening of one-acts every year.
Special Performances
The All-School Sing is a celebratory community event that takes place in December of each year. All students in performing ensembles from kindergarten to twelfth grade perform together for an audience of their peers. It is a remarkable collaborative effort that showcases what is happening in Performing Arts at all levels and a wonderful celebration that brings the entire school together. Students also perform at assemblies and a variety of special events throughout the year.
