Fine Arts

Music is a valued part of the curriculum at St. Austin’s. As St. Augustine said, “Singing is like praying, twice.” From music appreciation to performance, our program educates, but more importantly awakens in each student the joy that music brings! Incorporating musical instruments, composition, and music theory in a vibrant acoustic music space brings out the “beat” in students from PK3-8th grade. Art is taught 2x/wk to students from PK3-5th grade; band and choir are both elective options for middle school students.

Exposure to composers, musicians, and vocalists give students the motivation to explore their own “musical side” and the confidence to perform in school concerts as part of a band, ensemble, or as a soloist. The same love for music is shared with our school and parish community as students lead the celebration of Mass as cantors and musicians. Music is truly a pathway to the soul.

The important thing is the creative expression of making music with other others, growing in your own abilities and experiencing the joy of playing for an audience that appreciates your music. Our instrumental musicians perform at events throughout the year and earn top ratings at the TAPPS and state competitions.

Band is open to students who have one or more years experience in playing a band instrument or approved string instrument. Students who have piano experience who wish to transfer to a band instrument may also join. Students will develop advanced playing and performance skills and perform music from diverse genres that is fun and challenging. The band presents both fall and spring concerts, and also performs at the Diocesan band festival and the St. Austin Parish Fair.

Whether students have been singing for years, or are trying it for the first time, choir at St. Austin is open to any student who enjoys singing. Students will develop advanced singing and performance skills, sing in parts, learn simple choreography, and learn music from diverse genres that is fun and challenging. The choir presents both fall spring concerts, performs at the Diocesan Choir Festival and the St. Austin Parish Fair, and periodically sings at school and Parish Masses. 

The art program at St. Austin strives to encourage creative expression, instill in students a deep-seated appreciation of the arts, and train them in a variety of techniques and materials that will make these processes possible.

Students begin in Pre-K with the use of different materials, building art vocabulary, learning how to take care of tools, and a variety of “art experiments” such as color mixing, transfers and double-cutting.  As they get older, students build on this knowledge, expanding their art repertoire and vocabulary. They use more advanced materials, learn about famous artists, and how these artists’ “experiments” contributed to changing the art world. Most importantly, students are encouraged to recognize that every artist is different, and to embrace and develop their own unique style.

Art is taught 2x/wk to students from PK3-5th grade, and is an elective option for middle school students.

Middle school art students will learn about expressed through different mediums such as: sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, photography, printmaking, drawing, and painting.