Beaux Arts: Performing Arts
At Convent & Stuart Hall, fostering creativity and fluency in the arts is an essential component of the curriculum. Beginning in kindergarten, students form a foundation of musical concepts through learning instruments and developing their singing voice. Starting in fifth grade, the school offers an instrumental music program, providing comprehensive instruction in woodwinds, brass and string instruments. Student musicians learn to read music, employ music terminology, comprehend theory and play diverse styles from classical to world music. Students in both vocal and instrumental music perform regularly throughout the school year.
At the high school, we offer a coed Instrumental Combo class to all student musicians. The prerequisite for this class is the ability to read music and play an instrument. The class covers a diverse range of styles, including classical, jazz, Latin, rock, funk and pop. A coed choral class and IB Diploma Programme music classes are also offered.
Student performers share their talents with each other and the school community, participating in seasonal and liturgical performances throughout the year. Public performance begins at the kindergarten level, encouraging students to step into the spotlight and inviting them to share their creative skills and talent with confidence. Fall and spring theater productions are open to students in Grades 6–12, and rehearsals take place after school. Through a range of high school classes, students have opportunities to learn acting, directing, musical theater, writing and adapting plays, as well as set and lighting design.
An after-school Music Conservatory offers lessons to elementary students interested in gaining proficiency — and eventually mastery — of a musical instrument in a positive instructional setting. Lessons ranging from beginner to advanced are offered for piano, guitar, bass guitar, violin, trumpet, trombone and French horn.