Arts
Growth. Exploration. Creativity. Enjoyment.
The arts are not extracurricular at Country Day; they are integral to the complete education we provide our students in JK–12. Our robust program includes visual art, vocal and instrumental music, and drama—all essential manifestations of the human spirit. The entire school community benefits from the remarkable talents of our students and their teachers through student-produced fine arts events, exhibits, a yearly film festival, and drama productions. At Country Day, the arts connect our students to history, to diverse cultures, and to their own imaginations.
Drama
Our award-winning Upper School Theatre program earned five Blumey nominations. Drama students starting in Lower School perform in grade-level class plays, and Middle and Upper School students produce separate full-scale productions and musicals each year.
Hance Family Gallery
The Hance Family Gallery exhibits artwork from our students, faculty, alumni, and visiting artists. Every year, we proudly host an exhibit open to the public featuring famous artists, such as Romare Bearden.
Music
Our music program offers many vocal and instrumental options beginning in junior kindergarten. By Upper School, students choose from concert choir, chamber/honors choir, a cappella choir, concert/honors band, and string/honors orchestra.
Arts News
![Upper School Students Receive NCTC Exceptional Achievement Awards]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1607351728/charlottecds/li8wgdlb4p8qqtd2kmig/DigitalPlayFestival.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1607351728/charlottecds/li8wgdlb4p8qqtd2kmig/DigitalPlayFestival.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1607351728/charlottecds/li8wgdlb4p8qqtd2kmig/DigitalPlayFestival.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1607351728/charlottecds/li8wgdlb4p8qqtd2kmig/DigitalPlayFestival.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1607351728/charlottecds/li8wgdlb4p8qqtd2kmig/DigitalPlayFestival.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1607351728/charlottecds/li8wgdlb4p8qqtd2kmig/DigitalPlayFestival.jpg","width":2200}])
Students participated in the NCTC High School Play Festival: Virtual Showcase!
![At Country Day, Fine Arts is a Lesson in Multiculturalism]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1605189353/charlottecds/sb0e1segtz25tdwemeav/QCity.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1605189353/charlottecds/sb0e1segtz25tdwemeav/QCity.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1605189353/charlottecds/sb0e1segtz25tdwemeav/QCity.png","width":534}])
As published in QCity. Art teachers Stacy Utley, Makayla Binter, and Dwayne Wilson discuss how the school is embracing a broader understanding of art, incorporating more artists of color and female artists into our curriculum.
![Mikala Bitner, participant in faculty/staff art show]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1602078685/charlottecds/hpm8qm3hw1mxyjj7o6hc/MikalaBitner.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1602078685/charlottecds/hpm8qm3hw1mxyjj7o6hc/MikalaBitner.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1602078685/charlottecds/hpm8qm3hw1mxyjj7o6hc/MikalaBitner.png","width":600}])
18 Country Day faculty and staff participated in the annual Faculty/Staff Art Exhibition. Because we couldn't host a gallery reception this year, please enjoy this virtual tour and hear from our artists--one of whom picked up her skills during quarantine.
![Building Community and Confidence Through Music]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1600892949/charlottecds/qiyqwxoltpoorjz20led/ChrisRydelsquare.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1600892949/charlottecds/qiyqwxoltpoorjz20led/ChrisRydelsquare.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1600892949/charlottecds/qiyqwxoltpoorjz20led/ChrisRydelsquare.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1600892949/charlottecds/qiyqwxoltpoorjz20led/ChrisRydelsquare.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1600892949/charlottecds/qiyqwxoltpoorjz20led/ChrisRydelsquare.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1600892949/charlottecds/qiyqwxoltpoorjz20led/ChrisRydelsquare.jpg","width":2000}])
A Q&A with Director of Upper School Instrumental Music Chris Rydel, who joined Country Day in 2000 and has built a strong performance program and close ties with her talented students.
![Middle School Arts and Culture]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1602171667/charlottecds/btq5qj8osffyt7nhrcyo/MSArtsandCulture.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1602171667/charlottecds/btq5qj8osffyt7nhrcyo/MSArtsandCulture.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1602171667/charlottecds/btq5qj8osffyt7nhrcyo/MSArtsandCulture.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1602171667/charlottecds/btq5qj8osffyt7nhrcyo/MSArtsandCulture.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1602171667/charlottecds/btq5qj8osffyt7nhrcyo/MSArtsandCulture.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1602171667/charlottecds/btq5qj8osffyt7nhrcyo/MSArtsandCulture.jpg","width":1732}])
Middle School arts curriculum moves beyond Western Europe to reflect our multicultural history