Students will study visual art, drama, dance, music and more — taught by teachers and practicing artists — during their time at MS 8. In addition, you see the integration of the arts in all that we do simply by walking down the halls of our school or stepping inside a classroom. Unlike many other schools, students are not asked to major or specialize in a specific area of the arts. Rather, they are encouraged to develop as artists across multiple genres over their time in middle school.
Music
MS 8 has a very active Vocal Music program. Sixth grade students have music two to three times weekly and 7th and 8th grade students have it once a week. Students learn to read music, sing in two- and three-part harmony and learn songs from a variety of countries and cultures. The culmination of each unit is celebrated at a concert.
Outside of the basic curriculum, MS 8’s music teacher leads a voluntary school-wide chorus (more than 60 students participate!) that meets once a week during the last period of the day. MS 8 presents a Broadway Jr. musical production and offers extra performance opportunities for interested students. Twenty-one MS 8 students represented our school at the 2016 All City Music Festival (in vocal music, and MS 8’s music teacher hopes to encourage instrumentalists to audition in future years as well), and recently we sent select students to perform at Lord and Taylor Department Store for the American Cancer Society Charity Days. These additional performances allow our students to gain valuable experience for their high school auditions.
After-school instrumental music programs include the Brooklyn Public Players, a wind ensemble (for both beginning and more experienced students) developed as part of a partnership with the Brooklyn Music School, a century-old Fort Greene institution, and our much-praised MS 8 rock band, which offers students opportunities to perform at school events and in local venues.
Drama
At MS 8, students take Drama in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. This allows students to examine many facets of the theatre and explore many areas of drama. In 6th grade, students receive an overview of theatre and the dramatic arts. They engage in ensemble building, script reading and analysis, playwriting, acting, directing, and designing. They learn to approach a dramatic text from a variety of perspectives and put themselves in various theatrical roles including that of the playwright, actor director, and designer. This foundation allows for deeper exploration in 7th and 8th grade where students dig into more complex topics such as improvisation, character development, different theatrical genres, and creating original work. Students are provided with opportunities throughout the year to showcase their work through dramatic performances.
In Drama, students are asked to consider themselves not only students, but also theatre artists. They are challenged to think creatively and take many different perspectives. Because the skills we develop in Drama (such as self-expression, public speaking, collaboration, and self-confidence) are skills that are necessary for life outside the classroom as well, students are constantly asked to connect our work in class to their lives, the people around them, their community and our world as a whole.
For students who are interested in applying to performing arts high schools for Drama, MS 8’s program is a great place to practice and hone their skills! Students develop a strong understanding of themselves and their specific skills in Drama class. They consistently receive feedback from both teacher and peers that they can apply to their dramatic work and any auditions they attend. Additional monologue coaching is also available to students who are preparing to audition for performing arts high schools.
Visual Art
Visual art has been a longstanding area of focus at MS 8, as practicing artists and teachers have worked with our students across their middle school years to develop as artists generally, as well as to create portfolios to support their admission to schools such as Edward R. Murrow High School’s art program. Starting in 2017, visual art will happen in our new art studio.
Dance
In 2016-17, 7th grade students take dance once a week, studying a wide variety of types of dance and performing at the end of their units of study.
In addition, thanks to CASA grant from Council Member Steve Levin, MS 8 offers students free after-school programming in Ballet and Hip Hop as part of a longstanding partnership with Brooklyn Ballet. Students learn from practicing artists and have the opportunity to perform at school-wide concerts throughout the year.