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ABOUT

MUSIC

The importance of music education is difficult to overstate. At Saint Abraham’s Classical Christian Academy musical instruction makes up a central part of our curriculum for two reasons: 1) we are a Classical school, and 2) we are a Christian school.

 

1) As a Classical school, we emphasize what is known as the Trivium and the Quadrivium. The Trivium consists of Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric, while the Quadrivium consists of Arithmetic, Geometry, Music, and Astronomy. As part of the Quadrivium, music is one of the seven liberal arts and is essential to a classical education. This may seem odd since our modern context largely views music as a specialization. But as G.K. Chesterton observed, this situation is ridiculous. “Once men sang together round a table in chorus; now one man sings alone, for the absurd reason that he can sing better. If scientific civilization goes on…only one man will laugh, because he can laugh better than the rest.”[1] Music education is not merely for some musical elite, but rather for everyone. In addition to the sheer joy that comes from making music, research has demonstrated making music also has educational [2] and developmental[3] benefits. At Saint Abraham’s these benefits are available to every child.

 

2) As a Christian school, we recognize Scripture itself calls on believers to become musically literate. “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings.”[4] Admonitions such as this are not at all uncommon in the Psalms. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul urges the Church in Colossae, “sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.”[5] Moreover, the music we listen to informs our worldview and helps shape our lives. “We affirm that the art and music of a community is a canon by and through which a community understands its place and itself. The art and music of a community, therefore, is the necessary poetic knowledge of the community, rather than simply entertainment for the community.”[6] At Saint Abraham’s we are helping form disciples of Jesus by making music that honors the Lord and directs our hearts Godward.

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[1] G.K. Chesterton, Heretics, (New York: John Lane Company, 1905), 229.

[2] “Students who participate in music education frequently do better than their peers on many measures of academic achievement such as grade-point averages and standardized tests like the SAT or ACT.” Donald A. Hodges and Debra S. O’Connell, “The Impact of Music Education on Academic Achievement,” The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2005, accessed August 23, 2017, https://vpa.uncg.edu/mri/research-areas/_files/solproject_final.pdf.

[3] “Children who take music lessons show different brain development and improved memory.” Oxford University Press, “First Evidence That Musical Training Affects Brain Development In Young Children,” ScienceDaily, September 20, 2006, accessed August 23, 2017, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/09/060920093024.htm. 

[4] Psalm 33:3, NRSV.

[5] Colossians 3:16, NRSV.

[6] “The Lancaster Declaration On Classical Christian Education And The Arts,” in Teaching Beauty: A Vision For Music and Art In Christian Education, ed. G. Tyler Fischer with Ned Bustard (Baltimore, MD: Square Halo Books, 2016), 147.

DRAMA

The word theater comes from the Greek word Theatron literally, "A place to behold". Theater is a place for seeing. It has its roots in religious festival and is a window to society, a reflection on the state of our current or past culture. As Christians, our lives are meant to be counter-cultural. We are called to be ambassadors of Christ and portrayers of God's Truth. As performers, we are given the opportunity to portray God's truth, man's sin, and God's redemption of that sin in relatable storytelling. This portrayal is not only for our audiences to grasp, but also, in acting out truth, hardship, beauty, & sin, we as actors can also reflect on our own lives.

Acting, in nature, is God-like in two ways. Firstly, Acting is a form of storytelling, a gift given from the Great Storyteller. The bible is full of exciting and convicting stories that God tells through his people. It tells us about who God is and how He relates to His people in an exciting and enticing way. When we act on stage, we partner with God in His great storytelling. We are able to provide allegory and metaphor to His truth. Secondly, acting, like all art forms, is worship. We are using our God-given bodies and gifts in order to become living sacrifices and praise our creator. We may not be verbally expressing God's goodness in literal terms, but our acting has the ability to evoke God-emotions such as love, peace, faith, joy, hope, and more. As actors, we partner with our audiences in creating a worship experience in which we can meditate on how God made the world, how it has been corrupted, and how we are redeemed.

Participation in drama also builds many​ skills needed not only as a member of society but also as a Christian. Actors are required to memorize large sections of text which is useful in education as well as bible memorization. In playing a role, an actor is required to put his or herself in someone else's shoes, building empathy for others. One might say that the most stressful part of theater is performing in front of an audience. This skill of public speaking is useful in the career world as well as building up the confidence to speak about our faith. Acting teaches us how to engage with others, maintain composure, do our research, and think on our feet.

Lastly, participating in drama is not an individual effort. Much like a team sport, actors are required to work as part of an ensemble, both onstage and offstage. In the theater, the actors do not hold the most important role. Akin to the body of Christ, actors are just as crucial to the performance as the stage managers, lighting designers, set builders, directors, and costumers. Everyone plays their part to bring the production to completion, working together and honoring each others' skills and abilities. Participating in the drama production builds character for the individual and camaraderie within the community. Students can work together towards a common goal and families can enjoy the fruit of their labor.

PERFORMING ARTS

 

St. Abraham's Classical Christian Academy believes that the music and dramatic arts are an important part of a Classical Christian Education. We believe that music and drama are both forms of worshipful expression for our creator as well as educational pillars for all students. We also believe that participation in music and dramatic arts promotes community building and camaraderie among our students and families. 

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