Country Day offers outstanding programs in visual art, music, and theater.

Lower School
Lower school children take two periods of art and music each week. Students are introduced to basic visual art principles, elements, vocabulary, and art history through an approach that allows them to become confident about their creativity. The lower school music curriculum is based on the Orff-Schulwerk philosophy that builds music concepts and skills while involving children in movement, speech, rhythm, singing, playing instruments, and improvisation. We offer a full program of choral and instrumental music, including Little Group, band, orchestra, and Orff ensemble.

Middle School
Each student will have enrolled in eight art courses upon completion of Middle School. Art courses include drawing, clay and sculpture, video art, woodworking metals, painting, and photography. Music electives include chorus, Honors chorus, band, Honor band, jazz band and orchestra. Students may also elect drama.

Upper School
A strong emphasis on fine art is reflected in our graduation requirement of five semesters of art, music, and/or drama.

Students who choose visual art can select courses from an extensive list of electives, including Painting, Metals, Drawing, Advanced Drawing, Sculpture, Printmaking, Photography, Clay, and Video Arts. The art faculty is composed of professional, practicing artists who exhibit their work across the nation. Our teachers expose the students to a variety of open-ended experiences that will lead them to a love of art and an appreciation of their own efforts. Students also develop the ability to communicate personal ideas and feelings through art vocabulary, skills, and artistic expression.

Students interested in music may apply any of the following music courses to their fine art requirements: Orchestra, Band (Honors course available), Jazz Band, Chorale, Advanced Chorale, and Small Ensemble (a jazz ensemble). Music courses are also taught by practicing musicians who aim to provide students with a source of enjoyment and inspiration. Music provides students the opportunity to experience personal growth as well as the satisfaction derived from cooperative effort.

In drama classes, the Viola Spolin method is used as a basis for theater training for comedy and straight drama. Students learn improvisation and present various scenes to classmates for discussion and critiques. Upper school productions include Shakespeare in the fall and a musical in the spring.