Performing Arts
Drama
Our growing Drama program has been specially developed for students across the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools.
Park’s drama and theater program has really taken off in recent years, performing multiple sold-out shows throughout the school year - proving new levels of growth and success. Students who want to be involved behind the scenes may take the Theater Production course to organize costumes, assist in rehearsing lines, learn how to create and print 3D props, paint stage sets, and more!
Drama provides many other benefits to our students. In addition to building their confidence, it enhances their public speaking abilities, teamwork and collaboration, planning and program management, creativity, and complex problem solving. It also deepens their sense of empathy and tolerance as they immerse themselves in the characters and stories of people from different backgrounds and life experiences.
Music
Our music programs include singing in choir, learning how to play a multitude of instruments in core music classes, and performing in Park’s Middle and Upper School band and/or jazz ensemble. All students are encouraged to create and practice their own solos to perform at our concerts throughout the year.
Instrumental Music
Lower, Middle, and Upper School have their own instrumental ensembles and all students are welcome to join! Each year Park performs at various venues - from campus events, to local town concerts, to an annual pre-Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Concert at Kleinhans. Some of our students also participate in the New York State All-State String Orchestras.
Vocal Music
Humbly, we are the ideal place for students of all experience levels to learn to sing. There are three "come one, come all" choral ensembles, in which students develop vocal technique and musical literacy, as well as learn the joy of singing as a group. Participation in these ensembles includes small-group voice lessons.
Students looking for more individualized attention or hoping to study the performing arts in college can elect to join our Park Vocal Studio; take part in master classes with distinguished guest artists; participate in self-led, tailored independent study courses; and give student recitals in our Theatre.
General Music Curriculum
Lower school
Lower School students learn the fundamentals of music through play. Singing, playing instruments, movement, drama, and speech are all incorporated into the music classroom. Students develop tonal memory, gross and fine motor skills, and musical literacy through a combination of activities, including playing unpitched percussion instruments and soprano recorders.
Middle School
We own a classroom set of concert ukuleles, obtained through a grant from the Park Parents Association and a set of M-Audio keyboards obtained through a STEAM grant. Students in Middle School music classes learn about western classical and global music traditions in a fun and hands-on way. Using a combination of instruments, computers, iPads, and movement, students explore a variety of musical traditions and improve their musical literacy and knowledge of music history.
Upper School
Upper School students study music history from the Renaissance era through the modern day. Students also explore music as it relates to current events, with a special focus on music created for social justice. They learn to read music in the treble and bass clefs and utilize this knowledge in the playing of the piano, xylophones, and ukuleles. This course gives our students an opportunity to create their own music as a means of self-expression.
