Fine Arts

Visit the TCS online Alumni Art Show. This exhibition highlights recent accomplishments of our alumni in the area of visual arts

Award winning library of royalty free music from RoyaltyFreeMusic.com.

Band

Beginning Band

Beginning Band is designed to instruct students how to play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Students are introduced to a variety of music styles and are given opportunities to perform throughout the year. Beginning band is open to any student grades 5-8 that have had no band experience. This course is an after-school program

Middle School Band

Middle School Band encourages students to develop their skills on a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Students grow in their understanding of a variety of music styles. Performance opportunities include chapel, winter/spring concerts, athletic events, performance festivals, and service performances in the community. Performance literature includes music for sacred liturgy, concert band, pep band, and jazz band. Middle School band is open to students in grades 6-8 that have a minimum of 1 year band experience. This course meets during the school day as an elective.

Upper School Band

Upper School Band fosters the advanced development of a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. A variety of music styles are studied and performed. Performance opportunities include chapel, winter/spring concerts, ball games, performance festivals, and service performances in the community. Performance literature includes music for sacred liturgy, concert band, pep band, and jazz band. Upper School band is open to students in grades 9-12 that have a minimum of 3 years band experience. This course meets during the school day as an elective.

Private Music Studio for Band

Lower, middle, and upper school band students are encouraged to participate in private music instruction. Instruction is offered for flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, snare drum, mallets, guitar, and drum set. Private music instruction is offered after school and is scheduled directly with the music staff.

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Chorus

Lower School Chorus

Lower School Chorus seeks to glorify God by sharing the gift of music with others.  Chorus activities include performing in concerts and chapel services, outreach concerts, and weekly rehearsals.  The chorus repertoire includes a variety of one and two-part anthems, incorporating music from the classics through the 20th century.  Lower School Chorus provides an opportunity for students to develop their musical gifts given by God, to work together as a team to achieve performance goals, and to enjoy and discover the riches that God has given us through His gift of music.  Third, fourth, and fifth grade students are eligible to participate, providing that they pass an individual audition with the choral director.

Middle School Chorus

Middle School Chorus is designed to introduce students to choral singing in two and three parts.  Students will develop sight singing skills, practice and perform music from a variety of genres, and learn proper vocal technique.  Emphasis will be placed on interpreting scriptural texts, working cooperatively with one another, and enjoying making music together as an ensemble.

Upper School Chorus - Media Link

Upper School Chorus provides an opportunity for students to enjoy and discover the riches that God has given us through His gift of music.   Activities include performing in concerts and chapel services, district chorus opportunities, outreach concerts, and bi-weekly rehearsals.   Recent anthems included “Echo Song” by di Lasso, “Honor and Glory” by Bach, “For Unto Us A Child is Born” from Handel’s Messiah, “Alleluia” by Randall Thompson, “Three Meditations” by Goemanne, and “Psallite” by Patterson.  Songs of a lighter fare included an arrangement of “Over the Rainbow,” and “Hallelujah, Get Happy.”  Any upper school student is eligible to participate, providing they pass an individual audition with the choral director.

Women's Honors Ensemble

Women who participate in Upper School Chorus may audition for the select Women's Honors Ensemble which rehearses before school two mornings each week.  Repertoire for this group will be musically and technically challenging.  Students in this group prepare their music outside of class time.  They represent the school in on and off campus performances.  Women's Honors Ensemble members receive honors credit for their participation in this group.

Strings

Beginning Strings I

Beginning Strings I is designed to teach students how to play the violin, viola, or cello. Students are introduced to a variety of music styles and are given opportunities to perform throughout the year.  Beginning Strings is open to any student in grades four through eight with little or no experience playing a stringed instrument.  This extra-curricular activity meets after school.

Beginning Strings II

Beginning Strings introduces students to the joy of music by learning to play a wide variety of ensemble selections taken from Biblical hymns, folk songs, and classical melodies.  Students work together to reach goals and to use their gifts to serve the Lord.  The students learn to play the cello, violin, or viola and perform for musical events presented by the school. Students perform at the Lower School Christmas Concert, Grandfriends Day programs, and various chapel services throughout the school year.  Fourth through eighth graders who have had beginning strings instruction may enroll in Beginning Strings II. This extra-curricular activity meets after school.

Intermediate String Ensemble

Intermediate Strings is designed to develop students’ playing techniques on the violin, viola, or cello.  The students will learn about the basic elements of music and the historical background of composers and their works.  Students will be taught the proper technique of playing their instruments through a variety of repertoire, including classical, sacred, bluegrass, and pop selections.   Performances will include TCS chapels, concerts, and service opportunities in the community.  Intermediate Strings is open to students in grades 6-12 who have a minimum of two years experience and have auditioned with the director. This course meets during the school day as an elective.

Advanced String Ensemble

The goal of the Advanced Strings class is to foster musical excellence through the exploration of chamber, orchestral, and solo literature, exposing the students to the historical background of composers and their works.  Students will be challenged by an advanced and varied body of repertoire including classical, baroque, romantic, 20th century, bluegrass, sacred, Broadway, and pop selections.   Performances will include TCS chapels, concerts, and off-campus ministry opportunities.  Advanced Strings is open to students in grades 6-12 that have a minimum of 3 years of experience on a stringed instrument and have auditioned with the director.  This course meets during the school day as an elective.

Theater Arts

Middle School Drama - Media Link

Middle School Drama provides students with a survey of the theater arts, allowing them the opportunity to engage in the study of acting technique, vocal technique, stage presence, characterization, and various aspects of production. The year concludes with a full-length play performed for the entire school. This class is open to all students in grades 6-8 and meets during the school day as an elective.

Theater Arts I

Theater Arts I provides students with a survey of the theater arts, allowing them the opportunity to experience and appreciate dramatic literature, become familiar with various theatrical styles and historical periods, understand the creative and cultural significance of theater, explore the interpretive methods and techniques used by theater artists/practitioners, and participate in the creative process of performance and production. Performance opportunities include: chapel, in-class productions, lower school skits, and service opportunities in the community. Participation in extracurricular, after-school theater productions may be arranged but is not required or guaranteed. This class is open to all students in grades 9-12—no previous acting experience required. Class meets during the school day as an elective.

Theater Arts II

This course builds upon concepts and skills acquired in Theater Arts I, expanding the student’s artistic ability and appreciation for the theatrical arts. Students will participate in advanced work in acting and performance, play analysis and character interpretation. The student will be exposed to all aspects of directing, producing and assembling a production, to include set design, make-up, lighting, and costuming. Performing opportunities include: chapel, in-class productions, lower school skits, and service opportunities in the community. Participation in extracurricular, after-school theater productions is expected, but is not required or guaranteed. This class is open to all students who have successfully completed Theater Arts I. Class meets during the school day as an elective.

Upper School Drama Productions - Media Link

Blank Stage Showcase

All upper school students are invited to audition for the annual Blank Stage Showcase. The fall showcase has featured selections from some of the world’s best-loved dramatic literature, including acts from Twelfth Night, Les Misérables, Hairspray, and Charlotte’s Web. All rehearsals are conducted afterschool on the stage. Each cast member spends of one to four hours per week in rehearsal.

Spring Showcase

All upper school students are invited to audition for the Spring Showcase. Each spring, the Upper School produces a full-length play for the community. Actors can expect to spend two to four hours per week in rehearsal. Past productions include: Singin’ in the Rain, As You Like It, and The Wiz. Auditions are held in January with performances in early April.

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Visual Arts - Media Link

Introduction to Studio Art

An in-depth study in the basics of art, Introduction to Studio Art teaches the basics of drawing and color theory. Beginning with drawing, the student will explore the use of line, shading, and abstract composition. A basic color theory unit will seek to teach the student the importance of color in painting. The remainder of the course implements a variety of units designed to challenge the student and to reinforce concepts from the beginning of the year. Throughout the year, the class will become more aware that their work is a reflection of the Master Creator.

Advanced Studio Art

Building on the foundation of Introduction to Studio Art, Advanced Studio Art will expand students’ knowledge of and appreciation for art. Extensive work in shaded still life and portraiture will culminate in projects such as pastel self-portraits. Students will also be introduced to watercolor and acrylics and will create abstract and realistic paintings of landscapes and plant forms. Other units might include studies of batik, cubism, and hand-crafted pottery as well as studies in various periods of art history. Independent field trip assignments are required each semester. (Prerequisite: Introduction to Studio Art and/or portfolio review by instructor.)

Art Portfolio

The purpose of this course is to prepare pieces to build a portfolio for college admission or to develop personal art skills. Students will explore various painting techniques as well as sculpture and printmaking. Teaching and learning for this course will be project-based, student-driven, and teacher-guided. (Prerequisite: Advanced Studio Art and/or portfolio review by instructor.)

Graphic Design

Because effective graphic design is necessary for communicating messages, students who participate in this elective course will learn how to communicate a Christian worldview by creating art on the computer. Students will learn to brainstorm ideas, develop concepts, and solve various problems while applying art elements and the principles of design. Students will work in the computer lab to learn how to use computer programs such as InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator. (Prerequisite: Introduction to Studio Art and instructor approval. Class size is limited.)

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