Arts & Music at St. Stephen School
All students in grades K-8 have Art class once a week. In September students begin working on the Original Works Program. Students will create their art on special paper. Art is sent home with order forms. All monies earned go toward the art program.
Art Club will begin in September. Held every other Wednesday from Sept. through April. 3:00 – 4:15. Open to grades 5 through 8. Fee covers art supplies. A snack is provided but only if we finish early and have time.
Fine Arts Night is held in May. This is a time when students showcase the work they have done all year. Gallery is open from 5:00 pm until the Home & School Association meeting begins. Please come and support your child!
Drama
Drama group is an after school activity open to the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. There are various jobs if acting is not their area of interest. Mrs. Metallo, our drama coach, uses a stage manger that works with her directly and oversees the stage crew. The crew consists of a person to operate the curtain, one to operate the sound, one for lights and several others who are needed to move the set on and off the stage. We meet on Tuesday after school from 3 pm to 5 pm starting in October and on Sundays from 1 pm to 5 pm starting after December. Drama starts out by reading the play with the entire group and playing theater games to get everyone comfortable. The experience of performing live on stage in front of an audience is daunting, but by the time the show is ready there is a remarkable difference in the students. The drama program believes the process builds confidence, helps the students with public speaking, teaches them to work together and to depend on each other. Students become very supportive of one another. Acting is reacting so they need to listen so that they can react. Theater games help with listening skills, and creativity. Finally, we talk about the different types of plays and performing on different types of stages in the hope that our children will have the confidence and experience to audition in high school and college.
In the Spring, the Drama Club presents a performance of a musical or play. Middle school students prepare after school beginning in October and continue until the show in the spring. The club hosts multiple performances including one for the students during school hours and two performances over a weekend for families and members of the school and church community. A nominal fee is charged for tickets and the proceeds benefit the Drama Club.
Music
Music at St. Stephen School is taught from Pre-K 4 through 8th grade. Younger children learn music concepts through song, dance, movement and use of classroom instruments. Third grade learns more about reading musical notes and playing the recorder. Fourth and fifth grades learn about composers, music theory, music composition and also participate in World Drumming and Bucket Drumming. Middle school music closely follows the social studies units and classes work on performance projects throughout the year.
Intermediate chorus (grades 3-5) meet once a week during recess and perform for Breakfast with Santa, The Christmas program, Fine Art’s Night and at an Aberdeen Ironbird’s game. Middle school chorus meets once a week during recess. They perform during Grandparent’s Day, The Christmas concert, Fine Art’s Night and at an Aberdeen Ironbird’s game.
Tone chimes are offered to students in middle school. Practices are during recess once a week. The tone chime group performs at the Christmas concert and during select Masses during the year.
Band at St. Stephen School is offered in grades 4-8 for students who would like to join. This instrumental music program is designed to provide cultural and character-building lessons to enhance the curriculum. The mental and physical disciplines involved in learning to read and play music can be of immeasurable value to a child. The fact that a child learns to play a musical instrument gives him/her an added degree of self-confidence. The band depends upon teamwork and teaches responsibility. Band members receive a thirty-minute lesson once a week on Fridays as well as the opportunity to attend the after-school club. Performances take place throughout the school year including Fine Arts Night in the spring.
In mid-December, students participate in an evening concert of Christmas music. The students’ chorus and band also perform. Families are invited to attend.
Ready to Explore St. Stephen School?
Located in Kingsville, Maryland St. Stephen School is a private Catholic School for students in PreK-3 through 8th Grade. To learn more about our school community and the admissions process we encourage you to contact our Admissions team today.