Middle School Performing Arts
The Middle School Performing Arts curriculum is designed to assist students in developing the vocabulary, skills, and attitudes necessary for a high level of accomplishment and a deep level of understanding and appreciation of music, dance, and theater arts.
For families in Pittsburgh looking for a private school arts program, WT offers one that blends artistic exploration with strong classroom instruction. As part of our middle school curriculum, students take one trimester each of dance, drama, and music during each of their three years in the Middle School.
In addition to the required curricular courses, the performing arts department provides opportunities for students to choose to participate in our performance ensembles, chorus, orchestra, and dance ensemble through our middle school electives program. Students may also audition for roles in the Middle School musical.
Middle School Performing Arts Curriculum
Students in grades 6 through 8 study dance, drama, and music each year, building skills step by step through a curriculum designed for middle school learners.
Dance 6
All sixth graders take dance twice per week for one trimester. WT’s middle school performing arts program teaches students basic dance technique to develop an artistic understanding of a variety of dance forms. The middle school performing arts classes will focus on the dance elements of time, space, and energy.
A variety of genres will be presented, including contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, ballet, musical theater, and folk dance. Weekly coursework will improve students’ alignment, strength, flexibility, coordination, stamina, balance, agility, body awareness/comfort, expression, and musicality.
Class activities also include opportunities for basic dance composition and creative problem-solving.
Dance 7
In WT’s performing arts program, seventh graders meet twice per week for one trimester. Class work will build upon the technical and artistic dance skills learned in sixth grade dance. Additional exploration will include the use of props and an introduction to contemporary partnering skills.
Students in these middle school performing arts classes learn about the styles and different artistic approaches of famous American dance choreographers. Students will develop their own original compositions based on the stylistic elements and most salient features of the selected choreographers’ dance compositions.
Dance 8
Eighth graders meet two times per week for one trimester as part of our private school arts program. Building upon the technical and compositional knowledge gained in Dance 6 and Dance 7, students will increase their ability to execute, recognize, and interpret dance choreography and movement direction.
Students will explore how dance impacts and is impacted by other art forms, society, and culture. As part of the middle school performing arts curriculum, students will learn how music, visual art, and technology have impacted the development of dance. Students will incorporate this knowledge in the creation of their own short dance works and will apply technology, music, and art.
Drama 6
Sixth graders take drama classes twice a week for a trimester. The middle school performing arts class explores several aspects of drama production through audition, rehearsal, and performance.
Acting skills will be developed through individual and group exercises, games, and activities. Small scenes, skits, and improvisations will provide further opportunity for exploration. Emphasis will be placed on building confidence and imagination, learning basic theater terminology, and developing sensory memory.
Drama 7
Seventh graders take drama classes twice per week for a trimester and continue building on the skills learned in Drama 6. Acting skills will be developed through individual and group exercises, games, and activities. Stage movement, gesture, storytelling, and scene development are all a part of the curriculum.
Drama 8
Eighth graders take drama classes twice per week for a trimester and deepen their understanding of character development. Acting skills will be developed through individual and group exercises, games, and activities. Work on monologues, scenes, skits, and improvisations provides further opportunity for exploration. Students also develop and present original scripts.
Music 6
Sixth graders take music classes twice a week for a trimester. The middle school performing arts curriculum focuses on the basic elements of music through the study of world cultures and their music. Students learn by singing, listening, and playing instruments. This class supports the sixth-grade curriculum by studying the importance of community, culture, and understanding differences.
Music 7
Seventh graders take music classes twice per week for a trimester. The middle school performing arts curriculum looks more deeply at the elements of music learned in the sixth grade, examining the development of music within a community. Students will continue to explore music’s possibilities through practice and performance, both within an ensemble and individually.
Music 8
As part of WT’s independent, private school arts program. eighth graders take music classes twice a week for a trimester. The middle school performing arts curriculum continues to expand understanding of the elements of music through the lens of composer, performer, and critic. Students study basic musicianship through music theory.
Students will explore their unique musical voices, creating their own compositions. Students use problem-solving skills to accomplish authentic musical tasks: creating (composing, improvising, and arranging music), performing (singing and playing music), and responding (analyzing, interpreting, and critiquing music and musical performance).
Middle School Performing Arts Ensembles
(Year-Long Commitment). The following performing arts ensembles are offered to Middle School students with an interest in performance. While these ensembles meet during the school day, the performance aspect requires that students participate in evening performances throughout the school year.
Most performing arts ensembles in our middle school have two evening performance requirements, one in December and one in May. However, the Dance Ensemble has only one evening performance in May, and the musical has two evening performances and one afternoon performance in November. In addition to evening performances, some Middle School performing arts ensembles perform at various places throughout the Pittsburgh community when opportunities present themselves and at events such as Middle School Moving Up Day.
As members of any of these performing arts ensembles or the musical, middle school students are required to participate in all necessary rehearsals and performances as an important part of their overall learning experience.
Middle School Chorus (6, 7, 8)
The Middle School Chorus is open to all Middle School students interested in joining a vocal ensemble. Students will learn music of various styles, languages, and time periods as they prepare to perform in the winter and spring WT concerts and in other outside performances.
Middle School Dance Ensemble (6, 7, 8)
The Middle School Dance Ensemble is open to all Middle School students who are interested in dance and performance. No prior experience is necessary.
The ensemble will meet twice each week, providing students with an opportunity to explore a variety of dance styles and learn a repertoire of dance choreography. Styles of dance and music include everything from hip-hop and jazz to modern dance and musical theater. Much of the material covered in the ensemble throughout the year will be showcased during the annual Dance Show. Emphasis is placed on developing dance technique, artistry, and performance quality.
Middle School Orchestra (6, 7, 8)
The Middle School Orchestra is open to all Middle School students currently taking lessons on a musical instrument and interested in performing as a member of an ensemble.
Although the focus of our rehearsals is preparing for our winter and spring performances, we will also include fundamental musical terminology, music reading, interpretation, expression, and improvisation. Classical, folk, jazz, and contemporary music are incorporated in our endeavor to foster a positive, enjoyable, and memorable experience.
Participation in scheduled dress rehearsals and performances is required of all Middle School Orchestra members.
Middle School Musical (6, 7, 8)
The Middle School musical is exciting for the entire Middle School community. All students are encouraged to audition as performers on stage and volunteer as members of the production crews backstage.
The musical is a team creation that blends drama, song, and dance with scenery, costumes, and technical design. Auditions for on-stage performers are held in early September. Crew opportunities, including scenery, costumes, props, publicity, lighting, sound, and stage crew, are announced in October.
Students who are cast in the musical will be required to take a Middle School Musical elective during the first trimester of the school year, during the elective block. Students who are interested in participating in the Middle School Musical are strongly encouraged to join a performing arts ensemble.
Preparing Future Artists
WT's middle school performing arts program fosters well-rounded students who appreciate and engage with the arts. The curriculum, coupled with numerous extracurricular opportunities, provides a strong foundation for students who may wish to further their artistic pursuits in high school and beyond.
