The Arts
Columbia has a very active arts program with vocal music, drama, and art.
- Our art program is taught in the junior high and high school. Students learn about basic art skills and materials using various mediums. Students are introduced to design fundamentals, drawing, painting color theory, sculpturing, and print making.
In the elementary, the classrooms provides class time for art projects using sidewalk chalk, water and tempera paints, cut outs, using collage, and learning designs and color.
- In the junior high school and high school, the music program consists of the students learning basic music reading skills as well as the tone quality of their voice and controlled breathing. Choirs are established in both the junior high and high school. The junior high is involved in an exploratory block in which they spend half of the school year in choir. In the high school the students will attend and perform in at least three evening school concerts during the year and either several community concerts or a spring tour. The music program involves the students with a variety of styles of music as they learn it and perform.
In the elementary a general music class is a regular part of the curriculum for all classes, from kindergarten through sixth grade. Classes are held twice a week for 30 minutes. The curriculum emphasizes: basic rhythm, reading, and performance skills; basic singing skills; basic listening skills; basic note reading skills through playing the recorder and singing. The program utilizes movement to instill a feel and understanding of rhythm in the student. The student learns to relate to music, especially styles with which he/she is unfamiliar, through exploring various composers and style periods.
- The junior high and high school curriculum affords the students to be Introduced to drama. The junior high is in drama for a portion of the school year through their exploratory block schedule. In the high school there are four offerings of drama:
- drama class - students are introduced to a variety of topics including theater history, mime, and improvisation. Students are expected to perform in front of others;
- technical theater - students learn stage and set preparation, lighting, sound, costume design, and make-up;
- advanced theater - Students who have the experience and participation in drama and tech theater will advance to perform at a higher and more involved level. Students will learn all aspects of theater management. They will also have the opportunity to compete at the district and state level with monologues and other styles of performance;
- musical theater - Students learn to incorporate music and acting together. Performance is at an even higher level and the class involves the learning of tap and other musical movement