LaGrange Academy recognizes the magnitude of providing environments for creativity and self expression. The visual arts and performing programs of the Academy begin in Kindergarten and continue through the upper school. The arts staff believes that the school should encourage all students in the field of fine arts. To teach a child to grow their creativity and/or learn to appreciate the arts is essential for a well rounded education.
Visual arts
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Art is taught in all lower and middle school classes at least once or twice a week.
Students begin working with various mediums in Kindergarten while developing creative skills and an appreciation of the arts. Instruction includes such areas as drawing, painting, clay and learning the correct application of materials and methods. Middle school students study various artists and their works and complete a piece of art based on their newly acquired knowledge. Other types of art are explored including printmaking, clay building, perspective drawing, drawing from a still-life set up, metal tooling, batik ,stained glass, and paper mache, to name a few.
Art is an elective in high school. Studio classes are taught in art level 1(beginner) through level 4(experienced).High school classes are five days a week. Drawing and painting skills are expanded upon, including the use of oil paints and painting on silk. Hand-made baskets and clay are some of the craft projects executed in high school. LaGrange Academy always participates in the Kiwanis Art show each March and the Chattahoochee Valley Art League. Other competitions pop up from time to time, such as; Southern Teachers Agency calendar contest, District Congressional Art Show, West Ga. Medical Show and others..
General Music Classes, Chorus
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All lower and middle school children take three 45 minute music classes on a weekly basis. One day a week is spent in the computer lab learning music theory and ear training as well as composition. This training continues throughout their school experience. Students in grades 3 – 5 study recorders while grades 5 – 8 learn piano. The other days are spent in the general classroom learning songs, cross-curricular studies and musical activities. Some of the activities in these areas may include American Folk lore and song, The National Anthem project, the Chinese New Year, International songs and customs, ancient 'Ti Rakau" or Lummi stick chants and patterns, circle drumming, and world music drumming.
Students perform several productions a year. These productions include but are not limited to National Anthem Day, Grandparent's Day, Chinese New Year Christmas and the end of the year performance. In addition, the kindergarten class has a major music production for graduation.
The middle and upper school have the opportunity to explore chorus, piano, instrument making, drumming, music history, music theory and ear training, composition and music appreciation.
Eighth through twelve grades are eligible to compete in All Select and/or All State Chorus, Band and/or Orchestra. Students may also audition to compete in the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) Spring Literary Competition in the areas of piano, girl’s trio, boy’s quartet and boy’s and girl’s solo.
Opportunities for private instrumental lessons are also available to all students.
Drama
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Drama classes are offered to all students in Kindergarten through Twelfth grade. Lower school students meet once a week concentrating on basic theatrical skills such as spatial awareness, vocal inflections and physical movement in scene study, acting games and improvisation. Middle school students meet once, sometimes twice, a week. The students discover and fine tune their basic performance techniques through scene study, storytelling, improvisation, interviewing and persuasive speaking. Upper School students have the opportunity to take courses in Beginning, Intermediate or Advanced Drama and meet every day. Upper School classes concentrate on detailed skills in acting, set design, improvisation, stage makeup, stage combat, theater business, theater/production marketing and directing.
During the 2010-2011 school year, Academy Lower, Middle and Upper School students will be seen in two fall plays, an Upper School musical in December, a major school musical production in the spring and then, a wonderful evening of revue style entertainment. Students in grades 8 – 12 may audition for the One Act Competition Play that is held every year in the fall.
