Developing Interests & Talents
The Middle School offers a robust Arts program full of electives for students to explore.
- Are you a creative person? The Middle School Visual Arts program consists of a variety of offerings. Students may elect to take Drawing and Painting, Ceramics (clay) or Creative Arts.
- Want to act, sing and dance? Theatre at the Middle School gives students a chance to begin to the Performing Arts. Students will start their journey towards mastering improvisation, learning theatre history, and acting out monologues and pantomimes.
- Want to march your way onto the field? The First Academy’s Middle School Band is composed of three elements: Beginning Band, Intermediate Band, and Varsity Pep Band.
- Just want to sing? We’ve also got a Chorus at the Middle School for those of you who excel at, or want to improve, their vocals.
The First Academy offers a comprehensive band program for students in sixth through twelfth grade. Our goal is to train young men and women to become proficient on a band instrument and use their talent to glorify God. The band program is structured to prepare students for lifelong musical enjoyment.
Beginning Band
With the help of the band director, students in sixth through eighth grade begin by selecting an instrument. Once their decision has been made, each student will secure an instrument (usually through a rental or the school) to begin learning to play. No prior instrumental experience is necessary, only an interest in playing in band.
These students develop quickly and perform for the Annual Fall Concert, Christmas Concert, and Spring Concert. There are no conflicts with sports or extracurricular activities for beginning band, making it an easy choice.
Concert Band
With at least one year of experience, seventh and eighth grade students may participate in the Concert Band. The goal of this class is to further develop the foundation of musical ability and knowledge to begin playing more solos and smaller ensembles, gaining more confidence and instruction on the finer details of each student’s playing ability.
Intermediate Band is a time of great excitement and great musical growth. Intermediate Band students are strongly encouraged to participate in the FBA Solo and Ensemble Festival.
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is the premier instrumental organization at The First Academy. The ensemble is open to students in eighth to twelfth grade who can meet the minimum performance requirements. Students are selected by an audition process. The Wind Ensemble curriculum is a blend of technical and expressive development along with music theory training.
The students in this group range from those who just love to be in band to serious music students who are considering pursuing music in college.
Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Ensemble is an extracurricular opportunity for students who are currently enrolled in either Concert Band or Wind Ensemble. Jazz Ensemble is one of the most loved ensembles in the school. Students work diligently to audition and be selected to perform with this top-notch ensemble. The students in this group are trained in music theory topics to develop their improvisation skills. They focus mostly on the learning of jazz standards, but explore the world of modern modern jazz compositions as well. The Jazz Ensemble performances are the most looked forward to performances of any performing group at The First Academy. They are always filled with excellent technical playing and lots of fun
Royal Pep Band
The Royals Pep Band is open to students in seventh to twelfth grade, who are able to meet the minimum performance requirements. Students are selected by an audition process. The students in this group range from those who just love to be in band to serious music students who are considering pursuing music in college. For more information on the Royals Pep Band visit the Upper School Fine Arts page.
The First Academy’s choral department offers students the opportunity to discover and develop their vocal abilities to glorify Jesus Christ and share his love through music. For credit choral opportunities include:
- Middle School Chorus
- This course offers the opportunity to learn and grow through the study of rehearsal of classical choral arrangements as well as contemporary a capella arrangements.
Extracurricular opportunities include:
- Fall Concert
- Spring Concert
- Performances at Sporting Events
- Chapel Performances
Theatre serves as an opportunity for students to tap into their own creativity, gain self-confidence and experience working collaboratively with others. Theatre also develops critical listening and viewing skills and qualities that will serve the student well no matter where their future takes them. The Theatrical Arts at The First Academy allow students to develop the aforementioned skills and gifts in an environment that maintains a Biblical worldview, nurtures a Christ-like attitude and desires to develop Christian character among its participants.
Extracurricular Theatrical Opportunities
The First Academy offers a thriving Middle School Theatre program including the following opportunities for students in Grades 6-8.
- Fall One Act
- Spring Musical
- Semester-long classes in Theatre
- In-class coaching, scene work, one acts, and performance opportunities
- Competitive District 8 Thespian Festival
- State Thespian Festival Individual Events and One Acts Opportunities
- Opportunity to earn membership in the International Junior Thespian Society Junior: Jr. Thespian Troupe 88146
Our theatre program proudly puts on two to four productions each year in our black box theatre or other off-campus venues. Students have the opportunity to audition for these shows or serve as leaders on the Technical Team including positions such as stage managers, makeup and hair crew, costumes crew, publicity crew, and lighting and sound operators. Auditions and Tech Applications are open to all 6-8 grade students and are publicized throughout the school.
An Evening of One Acts
The cast and crew of The Radio Play Disaster.
Connect With Us
To stay updated on the latest Theatre Events, get a behind-the-scenes look at the production process, and find out show information, be sure to follow us on the following social media platforms:
- Instagram: @TFA_Theatre
Looking for more information? Contact Allison Hodges about courses or theatrical opportunities.
“But whoever lives by the truth, comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” – John 3:21
We were created to be companions to God, to bring His light to a world darkened by sin. Therefore, we must live every moment of our lives by truth, as an example to others. He equips each of us in unique ways to accomplish this purpose. This does not always win us popularity, but God is the only one we should truly strive to please. Teaching about God’s creation through the visual arts is a ministry, not a job.
Middle School courses are divided by 2D which includes painting, drawing, and 2-dimensional design, and 3D which includes Ceramics and 3-dimensional design. Because God created all things, it is easy to teach with Him as the focus, even though the world sends a very different message!
At The First Academy, we strive to teach the visual arts in a way that brings glory to Him as the Master Artist. All aspects of the Fine Arts are an expression of our internal state of being. God’s word teaches us to overcome the darkness and stay in the light. Our artistic expression must exhibit this wisdom!
The First Academy sponsors a Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society for our Middle School Students. Those who qualify have completed three Visual Art classes in Middle School and maintained a 97 or above average. NJAHS partners with NAHS (Upper School) on artistic endeavors such as the ‘Windermere Christmas’ Mural sponsored by Vintage Realty, the Windermere ‘Wings’ Mural sponsored by the Windermere Public Library, and others in the community.
This fulfills the mission to “Take God’s world, its colors and forms; its lines and textures, its balance, movement, and space; combine these into a beautiful statement of what it is to be in the image of God. Give back to the world the same elements of beauty that you, as an artist, take from it. Create beauty in the world with your talents and with your living.”
The First Academy Middle School Visual Art program also shares its creative energy as a testimony in the community through exhibits such as the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, Association of Christian School’s International, Florida Art Educators Association Digital Art Competition, and National Art Educator Association Virtual Exhibit. The Middle School Art program is top award-winning in each venue, using honors received to glorify the original Master Artist.