In Ceramics 3-D, students will be able to take their creative ideas off the page and into the third dimension! They will have the opportunity to experiment and create with a wide variety of materials and processes to create unique 3D works of art. Students will utilize clay, cardboard, recycled materials, paper maché, fabric and more in their creations while continuing to build on the foundational skills and knowledge in the Visual Arts.

We are very excited to be offering the Chinese Arts & Crafts CCA again this Semester here at Stamford American School. This was an extremely popular program last year and we are aiming to make it an even more enjoyable and educational program for students this year. The Chinese Arts & Crafts CCA will offer students from Pre-Primary – Grade 8 who are interested in working with colorful paper, thread, watercolors, and other art materials to create Chinese drama masks and other interesting Chinese Art The language of the instruction will be Chinese. We look forward to having a fun and colorful Art CCA program!

Calligraphy is an essential component of Chinese Art; the presentation of the characters is more figurative. Students will learn the basics set of rules including dot, horizontal stroke, falling stroke, vertical stroke, and hook. Students learn the rules of the combination of Chinese characters and ways to vary the combinations to create beautiful art while also allowing themselves to express themselves.

The Chinese Speech and Drama Club is to nurture pupils’ interests in the learning of Chinese Language and further develop their Chinese Language ability through various activities and training that help to improve non-verbal expressions in preparation for performances and competitions. Activities include poetry recitation, cross-talks, story-telling, drama, giving public speeches.

This programme is to help students who are interested in public speaking, or who just want to build public speaking skills and confidence and poise in front of an audience. In our CCA, we will emphasize the pronunciation of words, phrases, and sentences, analyze the appropriate pauses and stresses in an article, as well as share memorization and performing strategies.

Grades 5-8 (Tuesday), with Ms. Tina Batchelder-Schwab

Choir for grades 5-8 is open to all! This Choir requires no audition and students need no prior experience to join. We will work quickly and with focus. Students interested in singing great literature and working with others who enjoy doing the same are encouraged to participate. This is a wonderful opportunity to work in an ensemble and to gain valuable performance experience. The emphasis of this Choir is to perform, with increasing sophistication, quality pieces from a variety of time periods and cultures. Students will be expected to show progress in their pitch matching, rhythmic accuracy, vocal technique, independence in part-singing and ensemble attitude. Some pieces will require choreography and movement. This Choir will be featured in a performance this semester.

Grades 2-4 (Thursday), with Ms. Christine Chan

The choir is a wonderful way to expose young people to great music, ensemble etiquette, teamwork, and many cultures. This Choir requires no audition and all are welcome! Students are given the opportunity to perform music from many cultures with enthusiasm and expression. Singing is a natural and enjoyable way to develop language skills and teamwork. We will rehearse and perform quality literature, emphasizing confidence building and independence in part-singing. Enthusiasm, open-mindedness, and focus are most welcome! This Choir will be featured in a performance this semester.

Pre-Primary-Grade 1 (Monday), with Mrs. Jennifer Hedley

The choir is a wonderful way to expose young people to great music, ensemble etiquette, teamwork, and many cultures. This Choir requires no audition required and all are welcome! Young children love to express themselves in all kinds of ways including through musical performance. Singing is a natural and enjoyable way to show your creativity and develop your talents. We will rehearse and perform quality literature with an emphasis on good technique, increased confidence, musical expression, and beginner part-singing. Enthusiasm, open-mindedness, and focus are most welcome! This Choir will be featured in a performance this semester.

The Drama production will be an auditioned play for students. Auditions will take place in January. Audition expectations, cast size, and rehearsal schedules are shared on MyStamford. Students will have the opportunity to audition for a production that they will perform in May. Students will be able to increase their risk-taking, confidence and collaboration skills. They will perform in front of an audience, developing a character and projecting their voices, using their body language and singing skills. By taking part in rehearsals, students will demonstrate their commitment and creativity by working together to produce a show. We hope to see many of our students joining this exciting opportunity.

This Drawing & Painting CCA is designed to give the students the opportunity to build upon experience with drawing and painting skills. It enables them to practice with the expressed goal of further develop creativity and honing technical as well as observational drawing skills. Students are encouraged to dive into areas of experimentation with various materials while being risk-takers and problem solvers. They will receive the chance to create both representational and abstract artwork. We will dip into some interesting art history and have a blast in this art CCA!

Students will be part of the magic of the stage in this unique and exciting art class! They will imagine, design, build, and even utilize the props they create when they go to drama class. Everything from collaborating to making larger than life props to individual mask making will be covered. This is a great class for students who enjoy molding and sculpting to create three-dimensional artworks. Make one-of-a-kind props from imagination and see them come to life through this engaging art co-curricular activity!

Faust provides fun and active drama workshops for children looking to boost their confidence, creativity and performance skills! Younger year groups will use a range of popular storybooks as inspiration to help act in character and perform stories in front of an audience. Older year groups will develop more sophisticated drama skills such as physical theatre, improvisation, Shakespearean text and more. All groups will present what they have learned at an end of term Open Session for parents.

Students will participate in fun and interesting art lessons as well as activities centered around various forms of art. Through the use of different art materials, students will develop their technical skills, take creative risks, solve problems, express themselves, and explore their creativity. They will have the opportunity to respond to their peers’ artwork, other artist’s works, as well as their own, and make connections to inform their thinking and find inspiration. Students will be encouraged to use their imagination and be inquirers in this expressive and engaging after-school art class!

Let’s share your music and make new friends in the String Ensemble! This string ensemble provides an introductory ensemble experience for developing string players. It offers instruction on ensemble playing of violin, viola, cello, and string bass instruments, with a focus on the skills necessary for long-term success. Fundamental skills include proper posture and playing position, development of characteristic tone quality and training in music literacy.

This experience is ideal for students who have limited previous participation in instrumental ensembles. It may also be ideal for those already with experience but who may need a review and reinforcement of music reading, playing fundamentals and technique that are vital for lasting musical development. Students in grade 1-8 are welcome. Students must provide their instruments and should be studying with a private teacher. This ensemble will be featured at a school concert. Auditions are required for placement in this ensemble.

The String Orchestra offers a unique platform to encourage young and new musicians to hone their musicianship and improve their playing techniques! This intermediate string orchestra is for students who already have an understanding of essential music reading, instrument assembly and maintenance, correct playing position and sound tone production. Instruction offers a continued focus on the refinement of tone quality, technique, aural skills, and music literacy. Students will provide their own instruments and should be studying with a private teacher.

This orchestra will be featured in the school concerts. Placement is by audition including the following requirements:

• Two or more years of experience (or discretion of director)
• Able to play C, G, D major scales
• Ability to judge basic intonation
• Understanding time and key signatures
• Basic sight-reading