FINE ARTS
MAN'S CREATIVE EXPRESSION
Fine arts, we believe, is man’s creative response to and expression of his historical and philosophical environment. Through tapping his God-given gifts, man—who himself is created in God’s image—creates dramatic expressions of the true, the good, and the beautiful. The classical ideal and the goal of Heritage is to develop and equip the student in every area of his or her being. Our students focus on basic academics as well as on the fine arts. In our fine arts classes, the student learns the basic elements of the art and is given the tools to excel. Art and music are not only required for all students but –as one can observe from any display of our art, our plays, or presentation of our choirs—our students revel in the creative process.
MUSIC
AGREEABLE HARMONY
At Heritage, we believe that every child will have the opportunity to become lifelong musicians by understanding that music is a gift from God which provides a powerful form of expression for the human spirit and brings richness to every person’s life. Johann Sebastian Bach observed that “music is an agreeable harmony for the honor of God and the permissible delights of the soul.” The unique combination of inspiration, intellect, and artistry required for musical expression distinguishes it from other human endeavors, and ranks music among the highest of cultural accomplishments. We further agree with Bach who asserted that “the aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”
Heritage School students will learn the following:
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Valuing Music
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Music Literacy
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Listening and Evaluating
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Music Appreciation (hearing and appreciating music in its time period in history)
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Singing and Choral Performance
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Creating and Improvising
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Playing Instruments and Instrumental Performance
Heritage School students participate in an all-school Christmas program. In addition, students may participate in music competitions.
THEATER
FROM SKITS TO PRODUCTIONS
The dramatic activities at Heritage School fulfill the students’ love for acting through informal skits as well as high quality, worthy productions, enhancing the rhetoric skills we seek to build as part of our mission to equip students to “speak effectively.” Students often participate in informal skits and presentations within classes as well as presentations in Chapel and the high school students present a play each year.
SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
The Shakespeare Festival debuted in 1994 with all 29 Heritage students participating. The event inspires and excites all Grammar School students. Each class in grades 3-5 prepares for this event by studying in class and then performing for the PreK-2 “groundlings” and parents. The 3rd grade studies Shakespeare’s life and times, the theater, and the Bard’s contribution to language. The 4th graders study A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the 5th graders, Twelfth Night. At the close of the presentations, the students often invite parents to watch as they learn how to do dancing from the Elizabethan period.
