One of the fundamental principals of our philosophy is that engaging in the arts is crucial to intellectual development. Consequently, our arts program includes visual arts, music and dance.
• The Art Program: All students at CPE II have art class in our studio every week. Children acquire the skills to create individual works of art through work with such media as painting, collage, sculpture, and printmaking. Individual work allows students to feel empowered by their own unique creations, and group projects provide the experience of collaborative work. When appropriate, the art teacher works with students on projects related to their other studies.
• The General Music Program: Music education at CPE II is a comprehensive program. Students learn music theory and music appreciation. Students have many opportunities to perform, including the Winter Celebration, The Spring Concert and our weekly community meetings.
• Percussion Ensemble: About fifteen former and current CPE II students participate in the percussion ensemble. Students in the percussion ensemble learn the theory of rhythm and the mechanics of creating rhythms on various percussion instruments. These students are selected by the music teacher based on how well they develop skills and techniques, and on the level of discipline and commitment they demonstrate. They practice after school.
• Violin: About 60 CPE II students study the violin during the school day through Opus 118. Parental involvement and commitment is essential for the children who participate in this program. There are two ways for students to participate in the violin program. 1) Every interested first grade parent is given the opportunity to submit their child’s names into a lottery. 2) Students in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten have the option of participating in a prep class. There is a small fee for this program. Most children will be able to graduate from the prep classes into the violin program.
Opus 118 also offers private lessons after school (payment on a sliding scale), as well as opportunities for group classes, including a music theory and note reading class.
The history of Opus 118 is described in the movie Music of the Heart and the documentary Small Wonders. For more information about Opus 118, check out their web site at http://www.opus118.org/ or call 212-831-4455.
• Dance: Through ArtsConnection, dancers from the Rod Rodgers Dance Company provide a dance program for students from Pre-K through sixth grade. A basic introductory program is offered to all students. Selected students in the upper grades audition for core classes that meet weekly. They are taught basic warm up exercises, dance steps and then choreograph dances that are presented at a concert at the end of the year.