Executive Director of Operations & Director of Fine and Performing Arts
Fine and Performing Arts Department
Middletown Public Schools Arts Philosophy
The Visual and Performing Arts play a central role in the educational experience of all children. Through participation and performance in authentic experiences, students will gain insights into the importance of a cooperative and expressive society. By developing an appreciation for past and present art forms, our children will develop a deeper understanding of our own and other cultures. In light of this, they will become more discerning participants in the creation of their own culture.
The Visual and Performing Arts are therefore essential to education both as independent disciplines and as an integral part of all learning in all areas of the curriculum. The Arts enable students to develop higher order thinking skills, creative problem solving, self-discipline, and the ability to collaborate with others. Arts education heightens students’ awareness of the aesthetic experiences, therefore enriching all aspects of life.
As technology continually evolves, the Visual and Performing Arts remain constant in their role as a personal and expressive reflection of life. The Arts fulfill the human need to create, the universal pursuit of enjoyment, and provide not only a connection to our past, but a path to our future.
Marco Gaylord
Farah Scala
K-12 Department Head, Music.
Steve Matthews
K-12 Department Head, Visual Arts.
Music Department
The Middletown Public School District is proud to offer a wide range of performing arts experiences to all students. This includes various instrumental and choral ensembles in addition to general music, theater, Advanced Placement offerings and beyond. This nationally recognized performing arts program encompasses both during school and after school opportunities to prepare students for local, state and national level performances.
Participation in the Arts, especially during the early years of life, have proven to support developing culturally-responsive, compassionate, and creative contributing members of society. As such, every student has the opportunity to develop and explore creative avenues while a student in Middletown.
Dramatic Arts
After school drama will consist of learning both onstage and backstage techniques through a fall straight play and a winter musical. Students will have multiple opportunities to grow as performers through said productions as well as outside production viewing opportunities. Both productions culminate in a year end HALO award ceremony. There are no prerequisites and all students are strongly encouraged to join as the director leans into the strengths and talents of the students!
Theatre course offerings at MHS consist of both Acting and Technical courses: Acting 1, Acting 2, Advanced Theatre, Directing, and Technical Theatre. Each course offers different snippets of theatre techniques ranging from pantomime, commedia dell'arte, production management, casting, sound, lighting, and even set design and build. Students will have the opportunity to view outside theatre performances both on the ameture and professional level, as well as participate in their own classroom productions. There are no prerequisites for theatre courses, though there is a progression through the acting offerings.
Visual Arts
Middletown Public schools is committed to offering our learners a robust Visual Arts program at the elementary level. All schools are afforded a weekly art class as well as additional scheduled classes or enrichment opportunities. K-5 learners develop skills over the course of 6 years in drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking and sculpture while becoming well versed in the elements of art, principles of design as well as historical and cultural relevance. Our goal is to celebrate the diverse talents of all learners and to help them to become both creative and critical thinkers within our own community and beyond.
During the three years of Middle School, students will participate in Art for 45 days per year (one marking period). During one of their three years in Middle School, they will have the opportunity to take an additional 45 days of Art enrichment during the final marking period.
In 6th grade, students will focus on color scheme and design in the context of interest-based projects. 7th grade Art highlights 2D design by utilizing drawing and painting, tessellations, and digital art using Photoshop. 8th grade Art reintroduces 3D design with work in plaster masks and pottery, as well as projects in printmaking and murals.
At Middletown High School, students can choose from a variety of classes in Photography, Digital Art, Ceramics and Sculpture, and Drawing and Painting.
In Photography and Digital Art, students develop multidisciplinary skills looking at the work of well-known artists, practicing art criticism skills and using composition related vocabulary. They describe, analyze, interpret and make judgments in their work, and in the work of others. Camera and software technology is used to execute artworks that incorporate Elements of Art and Principles of Design (i.e. line, shape, balance, movement, value).
In General Art, which can be both an introduction or reintroduction art class, students will explore a variety of art processes and materials such as drawing, painting, collage, as well as three-demonstration art, and will also be encouraged to create original works of art.
By participating in Drawing and Painting, students will learn and explore drawing with the introduction of structural drawing, design and color theory applied to compositions. Students who continue on to Advanced Drawing and Paintings will further their knowledge of structural drawing, design and color theory by developing their own work with a focus on the process from thumb-nail sketch to a final painting.
In Pottery in Sculpture, students will have the opportunity to experience and practice safe behavior in the clay studio, understand clay stages, basic building practices, kiln function and safety, and glazing practices. They will also understand basic handbuilding techniques with clay, such as pinch, coil, slab. During their time in this class, students will experience working with a variety of 3D materials , such as clay, wire, plaster, paper, board, etc. Finally, they will understand how to use the potter’s wheel and practice and experience throwing small ceramic forms.