This is a very busy time of year for all of us. We are rushing around and cramming so many things into our already busy days. Each year on the first Thursday in December, we are given a special gift. Our fine and performing arts students share their talents and passion for music and art during the annual Upper School Winter Concert and Art Show.

Percussion Ensemble

The fine and performing arts are important for our students’ growth and development. Even though today we hear so much about the importance of STEM education, the arts also remain important to study for their intrinsic value. They promote skills that are necessary for both academic and life success. At our recent NJAIS conference, held at the Liberty Science Center, the conference theme was rightly called STEAM not STEM. The A was added to represent The Arts.

The world is changing so rapidly and we are constantly hearing that employers are looking for a different set of skills in their employees. It is no longer sufficient to earn a university degree to guarantee a job upon graduation. The arts do play a critical role in the development of skills that students will need to thrive in the 21st century.

MadJazz, our select acapella group

Lisa Philips is the CEO of Canada’s Academy of Stage and Studio Arts. In one of her recent blog posts, she suggests five ways that the arts prepare students for our rapidly changing world: The Arts Don’t focus on Right and Wrong: Participation in the arts allows for the possibility that there is more than one way to achieve a goal. The Arts are Inherently Creative: In arts education students are constantly be being asked to try new things and think of alternative ways to do something. The Arts put an Emphasis on Practice: In the arts, it is understood that you will not be able to learn an instrument or be a good dancer over night. This idea of persistence through challenges towards mastery is an important skill for all students to understand. There is a Focus on Feedback and Critique: Feedback is a constant part of the learning process in the arts. Because of this, students understand that feedback should not be taken personally, but is meant to challenge and push students beyond what they think they are capable of achieving. There is a Moment of Success: Each discipline within the arts has its own method of performance whether it is an art exhibit, a play or a dance recital. This gives students a sense of accomplishment after all of their efforts.

Here at W-H the act of creating real work for an audience of peers, faculty and parents helps motivate our students thorough meaningful individual and collaborative experiences. Our graduation requirement of one year of study in chorus, band, art or sculpture classes often becomes a multi-year commitment for our students. Our students quickly come to realize the benefits and enjoyment these classes offer.

Let It Snow! – concert finale Sculpture projects on display

Finally, Mrs. Goldman’s recent art lesson, above, was based on a memorial still life consisting of Mr. Marionni's late mom's hats, Frankie's late dad's sailor hat, Mrs. Goldman's late husband’s cowboy hat, old boater and top hat, a typewriter and vintage Singer sewing machine. After studying this grouping, the students had to draw two self portraits and one of the opposite gender and then had to figure out how to combine those portraits with the hats. Two pieces of student work are shared below.

Zining “Ethan” Ye ‘16 Nathaniel Nyema ‘16

The fall play and our winter art show and concert certainly are good examples of how Wardlaw-Hartridge is preparing our students to lead and succeed. From my family to yours: Best wishes for a meaningful holiday season, a wonderful winter break, and a happy, healthy, and peaceful 2015.

Rhona Eserner