The Plainedge Music and Art program offers access to the rich education and understanding that the arts provide regardless of students’ background or talents.

Whether their interests are in Band, Orchestra, Chorus, General Music, Theory, Drama, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Photography, or Graphic Arts, there is something that will allow them to learn, grow, and participate in the Arts experience.

What Students Should Know and Be Able to Do in the Arts:

• Communicate at a basic level in the four arts disciplines – music, visual arts, theatre, and dance. This includes knowledge and skills in the use of basic vocabularies, materials, tools, techniques, and intellectual methods of each art discipline.
• Communicate proficiently in at least one art form.
• Be able to develop and present basic analyses of works of art.
• Have an informed acquaintance with exemplary works of art from a variety of cultures and historical perspectives and a basic understanding of the historical development of the arts as a whole.
• Be able to relate various types of art knowledge and skills within and across arts disciplines.

The Plainedge Art Department builds the foundation for lifetime involvement and learning in the arts. Art classes are offered K-12 in a sequential study beginning in Kindergarten. Teachers engage students in the creation, appreciation, and analysis of art, fostering intellectual curiosity and creative expression. Our art teachers are certified by New York State in Art Education and serve in three elementary schools. One middle school and one high school. Our art staff are members of the Long Island Art Teachers Association.

Through participation in our Art program, our students:

• Experience a sequential program of art instruction that includes the study of art production, aesthetics, art criticism, and art history.
• Participate in both the joy and challenges of creating and self-expression through art by actively engaging in the processes of creating art.
• Acquire and develop the various art techniques, materials, equipment, and resources for participation in the production and analysis of works of art.
• Develop the sensitivity, visual discrimination, and judgment needed to respond to and analyze works of art.
• Develop an understanding of the cultural and historical forces that shape art through the ages and how the arts, in turn, shape the rich and diverse cultural contributions of a global society.
• Develop an awareness of the visual arts as they relate to art careers and related professions.

In addition, student involvement in the visual arts program is evident throughout the school community through our District Art shows at the New Community Center and building showcases.

Music Program Overview

Our music program provides our students with a sequential study of classroom and vocal music beginning in kindergarten. They learn the recorder in the third grade and begin formal band and orchestral instrumental training in the fourth grade. On the secondary level, our music curriculum encompasses several genres including concert, marching, and jazz bands; chorus; string and chamber orchestras; music theory; drama and musical productions. In recognition of their levels of quality, our ensembles have earned consistently high ratings at the NYSSMA Majors Festival. Our music teachers are certified by New York State in Music Education and serve students in three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Our staff specializes in either general/classroom music, band, orchestral or vocal music. Our music staff boasts one chairperson for the Long Island String Association and one All-County chairperson for the Nassau Music Educators Association.

New York State Learning Standards for Music and Art

• Standard 1: Creating, Performing, and Participating in the Arts
• Standard 2: Knowing and Using Arts Materials and Resources
• Standard 3: Responding to and Analyzing Works of Art
• Standard 4: Understanding the Cultural Dimensions and Contributions of the Arts