The Arts at CFS

List of 4 items.

• Art

  The moment you step into the Art Department, the immediate vibe is one of calm and relaxation. It is a space where the stressors of academics fall away and students are free to use their talents—whether God-given or learned—to spin the pottery wheel, print a t-shirt, paint a self-portrait … to mold something with their own hands.

   

  Courses include General Art, Digital Photo, 2D Design, 3D Design and Clay 1 and 2.

• STEAM

  The term STEAM, whereby the arts are infused into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), was first introduced at the Rhode Island School of Design. STEAM focuses on the bigger questions of “What type of world are we designing to live in?” At Church Farm School, transforming STEM into STEAM means tightly integrating art and design into the curriculum to drive student innovation. Wherever possible, we are trying to engage in the intersections between science and the arts. Exposure to art leads to higher levels of academic achievement, innovation and flexible thinking.

• Choir

  The mission of the CFS Choir has been to provide young men with opportunities to experience the joy of making music through preparation and performance. Under the direction of Gary Gress, the CFS Choir is comprised of students in 9-12th grades and performs regularly throughout southeastern PA, most recently at Carnegie Hall in New York City as part of the Masterworks Choral Festival. Through the years, the choir has won many first place awards and superior ratings at music festivals in Boston, New York, Williamsburg and Toronto. The choir has been invited to sing at the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, the Philadelphia Cathedral, the Russell Senate Building and the National Cathedral in Washington D.C., and has performed the National Anthem at several Philadelphia Phillies’ baseball games. Individual members regularly participate in the PMEA District, Regional, All State and MENC All Eastern Chorus festivals. In 2006, the CFS Singers, a small vocal ensemble focused on jazz and a cappella singing, were invited to perform at the PMEA State Convention. The choir has also been on tour overseas to Germany and South Africa. 

• Band

  In addition to Upper School Band, the school offers General Music, Music Tech 1, Music Tech II and Piano. Teacher Nicole Campbell tries to infuse the curriculum with a variety of music styles: blues, Latin music and even classic rock. Putting the works in context is important for the students, too.
  
  

  Because some experience and proficiency is required for band, the first semester for a student is focused on learning how to play and blend with other musicians. In the second semester, theory and application of that theory come more into play.