Visual Arts, Drama, & Music

Visual Arts
 

Friends Select’s middle school visual arts program challenges students to explore, develop their craft, and express themselves through a variety of mediums, including mixed media, sculpture, painting, and drawing. Students study the methods and meaning of the work of contemporary artists and are encouraged to use the art studio as a playful and safe space to explore their identity and interests. Many students choose to participate in the “open studio” time offered each week. 

Giving students time and space to reflect and create is a focus of our program, along with introducing them to artists from various backgrounds and traditions. Quaker values are central in our studios; students learn to appreciate each other’s work as a personal reflection of their inner selves. Philadelphia’s museums and art schools are integral to learning. Each spring, students study and create artwork related to a neighboring institution in our Sights on Site program, culminating with an exhibition.

Drama

The mission of Friends Select’s drama program is to educate, entertain, inform, and transform. We encourage students to have a comprehensive theater experience; with this in mind, students have the opportunity to perform on stage in our Blauvelt Theatre, try their hand at playwriting, direct fellow student actors, or work behind the scenes on set design and construction, costumes, lighting, or sound! Our intimate yet robust drama department allows for every student to be highlighted. 

In middle school, students have the opportunity to audition for Drama for their performance elective. Extracurricularly, students are encouraged to audition for the annual middle school production. Student stage crew is open to all middle school students. Recent productions have included A Year with Frog and Toad, James and the Giant Peach, Schoolhouse Rock, Jr., and High School Musical.

Friends Select has close connections with Philadelphia theatre organizations such as Philly Young Playwrights, Arden Theatre Company, Wilma Theatre, and Quintessence Theatre Group. Philadelphia theater professionals are brought in to work with our middle and upper school students on our productions, providing students with a professional experience. 

Music

Friends Select’s music curriculum guides students to understand that music belongs to them. Faculty members encourage students to explore their musical ideas, make different choices, and dive deeply into whatever fuels their passion. The program emphasizes creativity, experimentation, and mastery—with a focus on being fearless rather than flawless.

Middle school music offers students performance groups like orchestra, choir, and percussion ensemble, along with a general music class that explores musical theory, history, musical genres, composition, and songwriting. Using music technology, we help students bring their ideas to life. Many students bring their love of singing and songwriting, jazz, classical, or rock music to their work in class and ensemble. We believe that, as the great Duke Ellington said, “If it sounds good, it IS good,” and all musical traditions are respected and nurtured.