Welcome to the Fine Arts page of the Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy! Check back for updates about our Music, Art, and Theatre Arts programs.
The Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy Fine Arts Department strives to provide excellence in the instruction of the fundamentals of music education for all Academy students. Students produce music, art, and theater arts of exceptional quality. For ninety minutes per week, students receive in class Fine Arts instruction.
The Academy's comprehensive Fine Arts program includes:
Music
Our comprehensive music program is based on the international program El Sistema.
View a CBS News 60 Minutes special on El Sistema here!
Our music progam offers the following:
K0-K2: Music and Movement, Kodaly, Rhythms and Songs
Grade 1: Diatonic bells: Students learn to recognize the scale by color and solfege.
Grade 2: Chromatic Glockenspiels: Students learn the basics of key changes and the fundamentals of a standard keyboard through this instrument.
Grades 3 and 4: Recorder and tin whistle: Students discover wind instruments and work on sight reading and intonation.
Grade 5: All students take one year introduction to the violin. They learn the fundamentals of a string instrument and gain confidence working together in small groups.
Grade 6-8: All students learn music composition, music history, basic choral techniques and are introduced to music technology.
After School Music Program: Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy also offers a comprehensive After School Music Program at all four campuses. Classes are offered in violin and guitar and in the future will include keyboard as well.
Academy Community Arts Enrichment Programs: The Academy has introduced evening enrichment programs, allowing students from all campuses to meet once a week in an artistic environment. These programs are free to Academy students and include our Academy Choir and Academy Strings Ensemble. The Academy Choir has been established in partnership with the renowned Boston City Singers under the leadership of Jane Money, Founder and Director Boston City Singers. Our String Ensemble program is under the direction of Academy Director of Fine Arts Mary Swanton.
It is our hope to add an Academy theater component this fall.
Art
Students in Grade K2 – Grade 8 at the Academy receive 45 minutes of Art instruction each week.
Our Art students produce work of age-appropriate, exceptional quality, incorporating water colors, stills, textiles, impressionism, arts and crafts, and art history in the classroom.
Community Partners
PJPIICA is proud partner of the following organizations:
Discovery Ensemble
Boston Classical Orchestra
Boston Suzuki Institute
Boston City Singers
New England Conservatory
A Far Cry
The Strand Theater: We are grateful to City of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and the Mayor's Office of Arts, Tourism and Special Events, in particular Chris Cook, for excellent access to Community programs in our own community. The Strand Theater offers a magnificent theater experience for all of our students!
Our Partners are growing! Stay tuned for more partnerships this Fall.