The Arts

The Arts at Columbia Independent School

Music, Visual Arts and Performing Arts

An integral part of our instructional program, arts education begins in junior kindergarten and continues through 12th grade. CIS is dedicated to providing a challenging curriculum, which inspires academic and artistic excellence from our students. Our fine arts faculty members are highly trained and experienced professionals who support and promote the CIS mission to guide students in the pursuit of excellence through creative achievement in music, visual arts, and drama.

Lower School Arts

Music education begins in junior kindergarten and is taught sequentially through 5th grade. Lower school students have the opportunity to participate in two elective music programs: the before-school orchestra program and the 4th and 5th Grade Honor Choir, a selective vocal ensemble open to all 4th-5th graders by application only.

All lower school students meet in art twice a week. Lessons are structured around the elements of art (line, color, space, texture, value, shape, and form) and some of the principles of design (repetition/pattern and balance), which are taught with more intensity in the upper school. Artistic production includes the major art forms and allows students to work with pencil, ink, watercolor, tempera, collage, paper mâché, and ceramic clay.

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Middle School Arts

Music

At the middle school level, students select to pursue either band or choir during the school day, and are placed in an age-appropriate class. In addition, students may participate in the extra-curricular orchestra program that meets before school.

At the middle school level, three choirs are offered to match the age, ability level, and gender of the child. Each ensemble will participate in numerous formal and informal performances throughout the year, including important community outreach concerts.

Beginning band students are provided the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of technique on an instrument that they are assigned, as well as the fundamentals of music notation and musicianship. Students continue to progress in 7th and 8th grade with more complicated music and extended techniques related to their specific instrument.

Orchestra is provided in three separate sections based on the student’s playing abilities. Students may choose to participate in orchestra by studying violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students are offered two major performance opportunities each year as well as the opportunity to participate in music competitions and conferences.

Visual Arts

Sixth and 7th grade students take art for one semester each year. Projects involving these art ideas help the students with comprehension, developing their art in a more thoughtful manner, and increasing their vocabulary in order to intellectually express themselves.

Drama

Students study the basics of oral communication, beginning with focus on voice and movement. Students also learn the speech-making process, and apply that process to a number of speech projects. Through monologues and scene work, students will have a chance to workshop their performance skills in a safe and productive environment.

Upper School Arts

Music

Upon entering Upper School, students may choose from several ability-based music electives, including two different choirs (selective or non-auditioned), concert band (non-auditioned),orchestra (multi-levels), music theory.

At the upper school level, there are two choirs to match the age and ability level of the student. Each ensemble will participate in numerous formal and informal performances throughout the year, including important community outreach concerts. Students will also have the opportunity to perform in several local and regional competitions.

In concert band technique is refined, musical styles are studied in-depth, and historical aspects are studied at length through lecture and group projects. Band students are offered two major performance opportunities each year, as well as the opportunity to participate in music competitions and conferences.

Advanced orchestra is a place for refinement of technique and exploration of historical periods in classic repertoire. Students are offered two major performance opportunities each year, as well as the opportunity to participate in music competitions and conferences.

This class is designed to help students understand how music is constructed, provide opportunities to develop creativity, and offer insight on how to improve performance. Students will be come familiar with the basics elements of music, the art of voice leading, and techniques of musical analysis. In the process, students will develop and sharpen aural, vocal, and keyboard skills. This course is designed as a foundational course in order to prepare students for future, more intensive music theory courses.

Visual Arts

Projects are planned to help students investigate and express their own individuality, while strengthening their technical abilities. They explore symbolism, storytelling, social issues, and self-expression. The projects will help the student become a better communicator, investigator, problem solver, and critical thinker. Projects involving painting, collage, ceramics, and sculpture will be created.

Drama

Drama students in 9th-12th grade have the opportunity to take a variety of electives including performing arts, which focuses on performance and directing, film studies, and children’s media analysis.