Arts

Dawson School is committed to the arts. Our modern facility, in combination with a faculty involved in the local arts community, provides Dawson with the unique opportunity to offer competitive, quality programs that can prepare students for continuation in the arts or that can complement their academic experiences. As an integral component of the academic program at Dawson, opportunities for devotion to after school Art Department activities are also provided. The Art, Theatre, Band, Choir and Woodworking programs are structured to provide each student with the guidance to make informed, positive choices, and the opportunity to recognize and reach individual goals.

Band MS

The Band program is a full-year, jazz and contemporary music based program with an emphasis on performance excellence and individual growth. There will be two major performances a year, in the fall and early spring, with additional performances in the Dawson Arts Show and middle school community time.
There will also be a required performance at the spring Dawson Live outdoor concert at the end of spring semester. Individual assistance is provided to any student on their instrument or on the music required for the year’s responsibilities. There is a strong emphasis in learning proper rehearsal attitude and practicing techniques. The 8th graders in the ensemble are expected to fill leadership roles both in a playing sense and in an attitude sense. Every effort is made to provide a positive, enjoyable experience with the intensity and focused work that serious music requires.
Chorus MS

The choir meets two to three times per week for 85 minutes and 50 minute classes. Choir students will explore their voices and learn techniques of good singing, including breathing, posture, and vocal production with a free tone. Emphasis will be on learning healthy individual vocal technique while working hard to create a unified choral ensemble. Students will work on reading music and sight-singing skills, as well as developing their voices and ears. The goal is to bring each student to a higher level in each of these categories over the semester. Repertoire will include a variety of pieces in various styles and genres. The choir will perform at Dawson and possibly in the outside community.
Computer Graphics MS

This one-semester course is designed to explore the process of creating and publishing digital graphics projects. Students will work with Adobe programs and 3D modeling software to complete graphic arts projects. The focus will be on enhancing the students’ comfort with computers and graphic manipulation while exploring their artistic and creative side through a variety of software.
Theater MS

The emphasis of middle school drama is teaching the collaborative components of acting: voice, movement, listening and reacting to the dramatic offers of your fellow actors, and character development. Through acting exercises, students learn how to work with their peers in a safe and expressive environment, where everyone shares and everyone is a star.
Visual Art MS

Middle School students are introduced to various media and techniques and develop a basic proficiency in art concepts and skills. An emphasis is placed on the elements of composition, design, and originality. Within individual assignments, students explore the elements of line, form, value, intensity, and texture, and the principles of balance, unity, contrast, and movement. Students investigate the arts of different cultures and explore media that will be pursued in greater depth in the Upper School (Drawing and Painting, Jewelry Making/Enameling, Photography, Ceramics, Sculpture, and Printmaking). Students develop an awareness of media, technique, vocabulary, and historical perspective.
Woodworking MS

Woodworking is a semester-long course that can be taken during the seventh or eighth grade. The emphasis in the woodworking class is on safe operation of tools and machines, design, and the study of materials and processes.

Curriculum Detail

Arts

Band MS

Chorus MS

Computer Graphics MS

Theater MS

Visual Art MS

Woodworking MS

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