Music & the Arts
Integral to Classical Education
Following the medieval tradition of listing music as one of the four liberal arts collectively called the Quadrivium, Saint Thomas More Academy sees formation in music and the arts as fundamental components to the full flourishing of our students.
Music
Beginning in Kindergarten, students are immersed in an educational atmosphere that understands the power of beauty to transform and enrich the soul - most especially through music and the arts. Children begin their music education through the singing of hymns and Gregorian chant at the daily celebration of Holy Mass. Seasonal Marian antiphons are memorized, the basics of solfege (do-re-mi) are taught, and young students begin to learn how to read musical notation. Moreover, students are taught folks songs that have come from both our national heritage and the Christian tradition.
As our students matriculate to the Upper School, they are taught music and music theory using aspects the Ward Method. The historical development of the Western canon of great music is taught, frequent listening encouraged, and our high school students receive training in vocal performance. Upper School students also learn to chant the common universal prayer of the Church - the Liturgy of the Hours.
In addition to music education, Saint Thomas More Academy has an orchestra, allowing students to come together with their gifts and talents in music performances.
Fine Arts
In the classical tradition, the study of art is not merely about technique, but about cultivating an eye for beauty, harmony, and truth. Students at Saint Thomas More Academy engage in art twice each week, where they learn to work with a variety of mediums and methods, while also studying the masterpieces and movements that have shaped Western civilization.
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By encountering the great works of art history and practicing the disciplines of drawing, painting, and design, students are formed to recognize the transcendent in the created world and to express their own creativity with order and purpose. Our art program unites skill, history, and imagination, guiding students toward a deeper appreciation of beauty as an essential part of a classical education.
Drama
Saint Thomas More Academy students study acting, improvisation, drama, speech, and debate in their Upper School years. Rooted in the classical liberal art of rhetoric, drama programs provide opportunities for students to embody stories that communicate timeless truths about the human condition. Throughout the year, students showcase their growth through regular plays and performances for a public audience.
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Annual Traditions
Our school year at Saint Thomas More Academy is marked by cherished traditions that celebrate both the liturgical seasons and the cultivated talents of our students.
Every Advent, the school community gathers for a Lessons & Carols service, where students read Scripture and offer sacred music to prepare hearts for the coming of Christ at Christmas. In the Spring, our Afternoon of the Arts highlights the creativity of our Lower School students, who share their gifts in music, poetry recitation, and visual art.
