Creative Arts

St. George's robust Creative Arts programming includes visual and performing arts classes for students as young as 1-year-old. Inclusive of studio art, theatre arts, band, general music and Orff music, talent is fostered through a personalized approach with plentiful performance and showcase opportunities that allows every students' creativity and confidence to soar.

Read below to learn more about each of our class offerings, tailored to the age ranges of our students.

Performing Arts

Early Childhood (Age 1-Pre-K3) Music

Early Childhood Music Teacher Julie Wischan visits Age 1-Pre-K3 classes weekly with instruments ranging from drums to slide whistles. Julie's educational philosophy is that learning should be hands-on, playful and full of discovery.

Students begin each class with a welcoming song, shake along to the music with egg-shaped maracas and explore instruments that they will later learn in the Lower School and Middle School. Julie encourages singing and dancing, teaching students classic songs, Mardi Gras music and other favorites. Above all, students develop an early love for music.

Outside of music "specials" class, Early Childhood teachers find time to incorporate singing and dancing throughout the school year. Exploring music at an early age helps young learners develop creativity, confidence and coordination.

Music Class & Orff Ensemble (Pre-K4-8th Grade)

The Orff approach to music education builds musicianship in every learner through the integration of music, movement, speech, singing and drama. Students use a variety of pitched and unpitched instruments including xylophones, metallophones, glockenspiels, various handheld percussion instruments and drums. Imitation, experimentation, and personal expression occur naturally as students become confident, lifelong musicians and creative problem solvers. Students learn to work together in an ensemble while developing an understanding of music theory and expanding their music literacy.

4th-8th Grade Band

In St. George’s band program, students learn about music theory, composition and practice methods. Band is an ungraded extracurricular class offered before school (included in the cost of tuition) for students who are interested in learning how to play the clarinet, flute, saxophone, trombone or trumpet in a full ensemble. Other instruments are permitted with prior experience, and all instrument rentals or purchases are coordinated by parents.

Band students have opportunities to perform at various school events during the year. Annual performances include:

Student Council Holiday Spirit Week
Pre-K4 and Kindergarten Mardi Gras Parade
StG Arts Week (Band Concert)
Middle School Awards Ceremony

1st-8th Grade Theatre Arts

In Theatre Arts, students will learn the fundamentals of theatre and performance. The discipline becomes a vehicle to cultivate a multitude of creative problem solving skills with an emphasis on facilitating confidence, compassion and self awareness.

In Lower School, students explore how a guided drama experience is constructed by following the National Core Arts Standards of creating, performing, responding and connecting.

These age levels begin to synthesize and relate personal knowledge and experiences, interpret the intent and meaning of a performed narrative and develop artistic techniques for presentation/performance. All of these standards are introduced through a myriad of theatre games and exercises that utilize rules of Improv, social-emotional understanding and play.

In Middle School, students are ready to bring stories to life. Theatre Arts at this level focuses on ensemble building, Stanislavski’s System of acting, principles of theatre design, and responding critically to performance by understanding and utilizing the concepts of subjective and objective. Additionally, the class works with the English Language Arts department to promote understanding of literacy by analyzing classic works like "Romeo and Juliet."

Visual Arts

Early Childhood and Lower School Art

In the Early Childhood program, children work with a variety of textiles, crayons and brushes, as well as paint, clay and glue, to express themselves.

Art at this age level is not just a creative outlet. Children strengthen fine motor skills, spatial and visual skills, practice decision-making and even broaden their use of language by creating and describing artwork.

The Early Childhood (Age 1-Pre-K4) weekly art lesson is an important part of the curriculum, and teachers further this art education by regular art activities in-class, such as drawing with chalk outdoors, working on holiday-themed pieces or experimenting with shaping Play-doh.

In Lower School (Kindergarten-4th Grade), art continues to build off this idea of exploring with curiosity, although students are given a freer hand with utilizing tools.

A primary goal of the class in these age ranges is to ensure students of all ages feel comfortable and supported, yet independent in the creation of their pieces.

Middle School Studio Art

In Studio Art, students foster an increasingly complex appreciation and understanding of contemporary art and art history, design and technique, while gaining an outlet for creative expression. Students are challenged to design and produce their own art using a variety of processes, including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and 2D and 3D mixed media.

Through exposure to a wide variety of styles and techniques, students are able to diversify their skills, discover strengths and work through challenges. Middle School art projects are designed to provide opportunities for students to explore, broaden their perspectives, develop their ideas, build confidence and creatively problem solve.

NOCCA Portfolio Preparation

Early interests nurtured through St. George's Creative Arts programming can lead to talents and passions ready for further development at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA).

StG students who want to apply for NOCCA receive support from their teachers, who provide assistance and guidance for the portfolio process. Scheduling prioritizes StG student placement in the Creative Arts course suited to their potential high school experience.

Events and Traditions

The Middle School Play

The Middle School play is a St. George's tradition that connects to our commitment to the Project Approach and gives students an opportunity to to serve in all of the roles of a production, both on and offstage. Following the formal audition process and assignment of roles by Director Ilyssa Galloway, students take the lead in most creative aspects of their work, from costume, set, props, sound and performance night goals. Students use concept boards to visually map out their script drafts, costume sketches, prop lists, set lists and all other production notes.

Recent productions include:

James and the Giant Peach (fall 2025)
Alice in Wonderland (fall 2024)
Bye, Bye, Birdie (spring 2024)
The Alibis (spring 2023)
The Phantom Tollbooth (spring 2022)

Art for Art's Sake

St. George's takes part in Art for Art's Sake, an annual event coordinated through the Magazine Street Merchant Association in early October. The gym doors are opened wide to Magazine Street, welcoming members of the community to view collaborative student art and shop the StG vendor arts market, which often includes the work of our own students, parents and staff. Art for Art's Sake is one of the most creative and fun StG community events of the year.

StG Arts Week

While Art for Art's Sake focuses on visual arts and highlights collaborative student efforts, St. George's annual Arts Week (April) features an expanded roster of programs, celebrates individual artists and provides opportunities for messy and fun arts happenings.

The week includes:

Division-specific arts happenings
StG Student Art Showcase
Band Concert
Theater Arts Showcase
A Parents Group-coordinated experience or lecture for parents and guardians

Music Performances & StG Traditions

Grandparents and Special Friends Day
Lower School and Middle School students serenade their guests on this special day with division-specific choral and/or Orff music performances.

Lessons and Carols
1st-8th Grade students perform annually during our Lessons and Carols service at the beautiful St. George's Episcopal Church. Their music sets the scene for the readings and recognitions embedded into the program.

Eighth Grade Graduation
Our 8th grade graduation ceremony at St. George's Episcopal Church wouldn't feel complete without the Orff music accompaniment of our 7th grade students.

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