Ben Murray, Fox Chapel Area High School choir director, leads the
concert choir. medium choices for our students; we have a lot of options
for our different learners, giving them the ability to fit either a
three-day or five-day option into their busy schedules. We give
the students the ability to broaden their scope of learning by
taking each course up to the AP level.” reading through the use of recorders and Orff instruments,
including xylophones.
Dorseyville Middle School’s art program also gives students
the opportunity to use a wide variety of ever-changing
mediums to allow for self-expression in two- and three-
dimensional ways. Students use paint, ink, pencil, marker,
sculpting materials, fabrics and yarns, and more. With the
older students, the middle school art teachers work to help
them understand creative vision and ways to develop their
own style. “I am very grateful for the administration and School Board’s
continued support of the fine arts, and their understanding
of the importance that fine arts education plays in the
development of our students,” said Jeff Bryer, Dorseyville
Middle School orchestra director. “The community members
also have been wonderful in making sure that the fine arts, no
matter what form, have a critical role in children’s lives.”
Dorseyville Middle School’s music offerings were expanded
for the 2019-2020 school year. A new music course – Music
Production and Careers – introduces eighth-graders to music
technology and production, as well as exposes them to other
non-performance career options.
“This course gives us an exciting opportunity to broaden
students’ horizons,” said Amy Beresik, Dorseyville Middle
School choral director.
The elementary art curriculum also exposes young students
to a variety of techniques and media, with the goal of
building foundational art skills. The general elementary music
curriculum focuses on singing and movement, as well as note
Several Fox Chapel Area faculty members pointed out that
the accomplishments that the district’s programs and students
have garnered don’t happen by chance.
“It is crucial for all members of our school community to
work together in creating the high-quality program that we
have,” echoed Alex Sackandy, elementary orchestra director.
Providing students with a wealth of options from an early
age will help the programs continue to flourish, according to
Christy Ehman, elementary music department chair.
“In elementary school, students play the recorder, can choose
to play a string or band instrument, or if they are interested
in singing, they can participate in the elementary chorus
program, in addition to instruction in the general music class,”
she said. “It is my hope that all of our students develop a love
of music for a lifetime.”
FOX CHAPEL AREA
❘
WINTER 2019
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