The mission of the performing arts curriculum in Hanover County is to equip students with the skills to communicate through music and drama, with the understanding that these art forms are an important universal language basic to our society and other cultures.
All Cool Spring Dolphins attend music class once a week for 45 minutes. Students sing, dance, and play classroom instruments while improvising and composing their own music in class. We also learn about the music of other cultures and various composers, including Bach, Beethoven, Bob Marley, and Elvis Presley.
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Performing Art Philosophy
We believe:
- performing arts is essential for all students;
- performing arts education is a sequential process integrated with other fields of study;
- music and theater exist as a universal language of communication reflecting society;
- performing arts education teaches history, math, science, cultures, and aesthetics;
- performing arts allow for the manipulation of the expressive qualities of their unique art forms;
- performing arts education can and should promote the understanding and use of an artistic vocabulary for the purpose of evaluating both student and professional performances;
- performing arts education should be provided in a safe and positive learning environment;
- performing arts education provides opportunities to increase a positive self-concept; and
- everyone can learn successfully in a differentiated atmosphere.
Music Classes at Cool Spring
Recorder Class: Students begin recorder studies in fourth grade and continue through fifth, enhancing their music reading abilities.
Ukulele Class: Students in third, fourth, and fifth grades learn basic chords and perform simple pop songs on ukuleles.
Chorus: Fourth and fifth graders may participate in Chorus. We meet after school for practice so we can perform for our winter concert.
All-County Chorus: Fifth graders may audition for our all-county chorus, which performs annually at the Hanover County Festival of Arts and Sciences. Students must already be in Chorus to audition.
Cool Spring Orff Ensemble: Each spring, fifth graders may also choose to perform in the Orff ensemble. This group focuses on rhythms and gives students a good foundation for middle school band or orchestra.
Grade Level Musicals: This musical opportunity teaches second and fourth-grade students how to project their voices, get into character, and act on stage.