Arts - St. Andrew's College

The arts are an integral part of education and are passionately celebrated at St. Andrew’s College. We recognize the indispensable role of arts education in shaping young minds and fostering critical thinking, creativity, and imagination in our students. With seemingly limitless resources, our robust music, drama, and visual arts programs are led by a distinguished faculty of experts committed to nurturing and unleashing the full artistic potential of our students. At St. Andrew’s, we provide a supportive and inspiring environment for students to explore their artistic abilities and express themselves creatively.

The arts broaden our perspective of the world, stir passion and imagination, and promote critical thinking. Each of the creative arts - music, drama, and visual arts - is an important part of the St. Andrew’s culture.

Kevin R. McHenry, Head of School

Rhythmic Excellence

Music is everywhere at SAC, with students taking part in academic music from Grades 5 through 12. The music curriculum develops technical fluency, musical literacy, and a love and appreciation of all types of music. We offer diverse music options for students at all grade levels, including curricular instrumental band classes, regimental piping and drumming, and extracurricular options like strings and jazz.

I did not expect to get involved in music when I first came to SAC, and by the time I graduated, music was my favourite aspect of my SAC experience. All it took to kickstart my musical experience was giving the clarinet a try in Beginner’s Music. I still remind myself from time to time to step out of my comfort zone and give something new a try, as it might be the beginning of another wonderful, fulfilling experience.

Justin Liu ’19

Our Pipes & Drums program is one of the leading programs of its kind in Canada and has been in existence since 1915. With the help of our world-renowned Director of Piping, Matt MacIssac, aspiring pipers and drummers can begin their journey at St. Andrew’s and graduate with a lifelong hobby of piping or drumming, with many students going on to perform in the world’s leading pipe bands or joining the school’s association pipe band, SACA, which competes globally.

The Middle School Band and Drumming programs are designed to challenge and engage students who are excited to begin playing a band instrument, with the more experienced players working on band repertoire that is both challenging and fun.

Students prepare for major music events at the school and in the community, including assemblies, coffee houses, chapel services, annual concerts, arts festivals, Cadet Inspection, CISMF, and MusicFest regionals and nationals. They have previously been invited to perform at prestigious venues around the world, such as the Olympics and Carnegie Hall.

Our core objective is to help students develop musicianship by integrating artistic performance and technical theory. The St. Andrew’s program brings joy and fulfillment to a student’s musical journey as they explore different genres of music, learn to play various instruments, and participate in an array of performances. Students will find the magic of music like never before!

Staging Dreams

Experience the magic of drama at St. Andrew’s, where students in Grades 5 to 12 discover their passion for theatre. Our Drama program encourages students to explore their emotions and express themselves creatively in a safe and supportive environment. Through collaborative projects, students learn to communicate effectively, work together as a team, and build confidence in their abilities.

Studying drama helps develop crucial skills such as empathy, critical thinking, and problem-solving. From classical plays to experimental theatre, our students gain a deeper understanding of themselves and others as they explore complex themes and characters while being exposed to a wide range of styles and techniques, helping them appreciate the diversity of theatrical performance.

Our commitment to producing classical theatre means that students receive their first introduction to drama by working on a major production of a classical play in the fall. But it’s not just about the classics. During the annual Focus Festival of the Arts, students who have never been involved in drama are encouraged to participate by writing their own plays, directing, producing, or acting in performances large and small. More than half of our student body participates in the 30 or more plays staged at the school every year.

At St. Andrew’s, everyone gets in on the act!

Envisioning the Arts

At St. Andrew’s, students are bound to discover their inner artist through our comprehensive Visual Arts program. From Middle School to Upper School, our program provides students with a variety of artistic opportunities, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, graphic design, digital media, and more.

Our Visual Arts program encourages creativity and personal expression while teaching technical skills. Our experienced teachers provide a safe and supportive environment where students can develop their artistic abilities and build self-confidence.

Whether you are an experienced artist or just starting out, our Visual Arts program has something for everyone. Our curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of every student, from the beginner to the advanced. We offer a range of classes and workshops to help students explore different artistic media and techniques.

Our state-of-the-art facilities are designed to inspire creativity and collaboration. With dedicated studios for painting, sculpture/ceramics, and broadcast journalism, we have everything a student needs to create a masterpiece. And our co-curricular arts programs help students develop a portfolio and provide additional studio time to perfect their craft.

We also offer graphic communications, which introduces students to the exciting world of computer-generated media. We provide industry-standard software and tools, including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign. Students can create their own digital movies, design publications, and even help produce the school’s yearbook.

With regular visits to local museums, galleries, and artists’ studios, our Visual Arts program provides students with a deeper appreciation of art and the creative process.

We value the arts as an essential component of education, providing ample resources and distinguished faculty to support our robust Music, Drama, and Visual Arts programs. Our Music program offers diverse options for all grade levels, while our Visual Arts program provides comprehensive classes and workshops to explore various media and techniques. The Drama program promotes emotional exploration and cultivates important soft skills. If you are passionate about the arts, we invite you to learn more about our incredible music, drama, and visual arts programs. Connect with our Admission team to schedule a personalized tour, RSVP for an Open House, or start your application today to take the first step toward unlocking your full artistic potential.