The Performing Arts Department offers excellent opportunities to Middle School students for regularly scheduled participation in choral music, instrumental music, and theatre. GFA strongly encourages students to explore their passions for singing, playing instruments, and acting, and nearly every student in Middle School takes advantage of this unique opportunity on a yearly basis. Concerts are given two times per year, smaller recitals are presented throughout the year, and there is a Broadway-style musical every spring. Virtually every instrument is represented in GFA's Middle School bands and orchestras, and students are invited to continue developing their talents, or to find new ones. All of the choral and instrumental ensembles provide excellent preparation for students to continue performing as they move from Middle School to Upper School, and the Intro To Theatre course for eighth-graders similarly offers excellent training for students who wish to pursue acting beyond Middle School.
In music, students receive both large ensemble and small group instruction, and have rehearsals three times per week. The music and theatre instructors at GFA are important recognized artists in their fields, and GFA students are fortunate to be able to experience their love and commitment to their various artistic endeavors. The Performing Arts at GFA contribute immensely to the esthetic development of students, and Greens Farms Academy is fully committed to all the arts as a vital component a superior education.
Choral Music
Choral music is taught at two levels in Middle School: 6th Grade Chorus, and 7th & 8th Grade Chorus. Both ensemble perform a variety of popular and classical music, and experience both accompanied and a cappella singing. The 7th & 8th Grade Chorus also provides most of the cast for the Middle School Musical (although non-members may also audition), and the 6th Grade Chorus presents a smaller musical review, also in the spring. Music becomes increasingly challenging throughout the three years of Middle School, and throughout those years part-singing is the expectation for both groups. Students are taught to sight-read music, to produce a pleasing characteristic choral tone, and to perform with enthusiasm and poise.
Instrumental Music
The instrumental music program at GFA offers the following ensembles in which students may perform: 6th Grade Band, 7th & 8th Grade Band, and Middle School Orchestra. The
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Sonata (I. Munter) by Paul Hindemith,
performed
by Middle School student Ethan Petno on oboe
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bands and the orchestra perform a broad repertoire of popular, traditional, and classical music, arranged and chosen appropriately for the level of the ensembles. Bands also offer opportunities for guitar, electric bass, and keyboard players in addition to all of the woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. While there are two bands, there is a single string orchestra, allowing for a larger, more representative ensemble experience for stringed-instrument players. Students are taught to play with a fine characteristic tone quality, accurate and independent rhythm, and good intonation. Many instrumental students study privately, and there is a high expectation of individual practice outside of school.
Introduction to Theatre
Introduction to Theatre serves as the initial offering in Theatre at GFA. The course is open only to 8th graders. Students explore a wide variety of acting techniques including, improvisation, theatre games and exercizes aimed at opening them to creatively expressing themselves in a group setting Public speaking is a major unit of the class in the hope that the students find more confidence and power in the act of presenting themselves before others. Proper voice projection and diction, and breathing are emphasized, as are stage presence, focus, listening skills and respect for the performer. Students read plays, are introduced to the physical life of an actor through juggling and stage combat, and may students in Introduction to Theatre also have roles in the Middle School spring musical.