Overview

“There is ample evidence that the arts help students develop the attitudes, characteristics, and intellectual skills required to participate effectively in today’s society and economy. The arts teach self-discipline, reinforce self-esteem, and foster the thinking skills and creativity so valued in the workplace. They teach the importance of teamwork and cooperation. They demonstrate the direct connection between study, hard work, and high levels of achievement.”

– Kent Seidel, Ph.D., Association for the Advancement of Arts Education

Welcome to the Arts Department!

In tumultuous economic times, one of the first things to be cut from public school budgets is funding for arts classes. Orinda Academy is proud to continue our thriving, prize-winning program that cultivates young artists in a variety of media.  

We believe that arts are essential components of academic integration. Each student at our school can find opportunities for individual and group work in art forms that fit their unique strengths and interests. Research (http://www.aems-edu.org/researchBrochure.pdf & http://www.aep-arts.org/files/related/Unified_Statement_110706.pdf) confirms that arts education increases success in more “left-brain” pursuits, as students develop creative skills, initiative, inspiration, motivation, expression, and multi-modal understanding through enlivening experience in the arts.

For a small independent school, we offer diverse, unique and innovative classes you won’t find at other independent schools. Following are descriptions of Visual and Performing Arts classes here at O.A., including Studio Arts, Music, Dance, and Drama. 

Leigh Lightfoot
Head of the Arts Department

Visual Arts (Music Component)
Teacher:  Molly Smart
Visual Arts (Music Component) is a one-semester course which, in conjunction with Visual Arts (Film Component), fulfills the UC "f" Fine Arts requirement.  This class introduces students to understanding music with a critical ear through a comprehensive history of popular American music.  Beginning with the mid-1800s, this course will follow the development of music through the Blues, various folk forms, Jazz, Rock and Roll, Punk, and Hip Hop. Numerous listening, reading, and writing assignments serve to prepare students for undergraduate work in the humanities, and coursework is rounded out with lively class discussions.

Digital Music Production
Teacher:  Molly Smart
Digital Music Production introduces students to the technical and artistic skills necessary to create music and art in a digital environment.  We will study musical form, arrangement strategies, and explore the process of composition through individual and group projects.  Students will make use of software instruments in addition to recording live instruments and learn the basics of music production by working in several musical genres.

Beginning Guitar/Bass
Teacher:  Molly Smart
Beginning Guitar/Bass is a fun, introductory musical experience to students who have little to no experience with the instrument. Through a variety of songs and exercises tailored to each student's individual level of ability and interest, students will leanr proper left-hand and right-hand technique in a variety of musical genres.  Students are encouraged to work independently, and toward the end of the class, students will learn how to teach themselves and each other songs by ear.

Jazz Ensemble
Teacher:  Molly Smart
The Orinda Academy Jazz Ensemble provides student the opportunity to perform standard, popular, and original compositions in a large, diverse ensemble.  Students should expect a few exercises in improvisation, rhythm, scales, theory, and reading -- but mostly lots of playing time and numerous performances.

Vocal Workshop
Teacher:  Molly Smart
In this performance-based class, we will sing arrangements from an  array of vocal genres, including pop, vocal jazz, choral, and a  cappella pieces.  This content of the class will be shaped the  interests of the singers – we may arrange our own songs, and will  choose our repertoire based on the collective musical taste of the  class.  Some possibilities include: The Beatles, Ella Fitzgerald  (and other jazz standards), Debussy, Liz Phair, Monteverdi, Weezer,  and Brahms.  If you can imagine singing it, we can arrange it!

Beginning Art
Teacher:  Noel Williams
Student learn the principles of design and apply them their Drawing and painting.  This class incorporates two and three Dimensional and the exploration of several mediums.

Advanced Art
Teacher:  Noel Williams
Advanced drawing using four mediums, advanced color theory and painting. Visit three art galleries and write a critique on three different paintings. Four drawings per week to be completed outside of class.

Studio Art
Teacher:  Noel Williams
Students are developing their own paintings and expanding what they have learned in advanced art.  Students are building their art portfolios that will be photographed and placed on a CD disk.  Short paper and project about an artist in history. Students will present their work in a student show at the end of the year.