At CFIS, arts programs are fully integrated into the curriculum at all grades. We believe arts of all types are a critical component in the development of a well rounded student. To this end, the CFIS facilities were designed and built to support the instruction of music, drama and visual arts.

MUSIC

Starting as early as preschool, music is an integral part of our programming.

Students in the elementary grades are taught the basic fundamental music skills of reading, writing and performance of music while participating in rewarding classroom activities involving vocal, mallet and non-pitched percussion, recorders, movement and hand drumming.

We offer a variety of lunch-hour clubs that may include:

• Junior choir (grade 2 & 3)
• Senior choir (grade 4,5 & 6)
• Xylophone club
• Recorder club
• Hand bell club

In Grade Six, students continue their learning of music through performance in band. Students study either a woodwind or brass instrument to begin; percussion being optional once the study of a wind instrument has begun. These students explore the realms of band repertoire, as well as jazz charts.

We have three performing ensembles at CFIS:

• Grade 6 Concert Band
• Junior High Concert Band
• Junior High Jazz Band

CFIS' Grade 6 Concert Band and Junior High Concert Band are both gold award winners from the Alberta International Band Festival in 2008. The Junior High Concert Band was also named "Most Outstanding" at the 2008 festival.

Facilities - CFIS is equipped with two large music rooms: one catering to early Elementary and the other for late Elementary and Junior High. Several storage compartments are on hand to accommodate the students' musical instruments of various sizes. There are also three individual practice rooms where students can personally hone their skills in private.

DRAMA

Students in Elementary and Junior High are exposed to various aspects of Drama and perform productions during the school year.

Located at the south side of the elementary gymnasium, the drama room and stage has been designed to accommodate all types of stage productions and performances. The Stage is equipped with appropriate rigging and setup to assist with lighting needs and prop placement. The facility also includes convenient ramp access for moving equipment and musical instruments to and from other locations in the school. The gym is also equipped with artistic acoustic tiling to facilitate the sound from stage performances.

VISUAL ARTS

Walk the halls during the school year and you'll see a variety of 2D and 3D artwork produced by all ages of students. In fact, you only notice how amazing it all is when they take it down in late June.

Art for art's sake and art as a medium for learning are key components at CFIS. Our dedicated art teachers work with students to produce intricate artwork that will stand the test of time, not just the semester. Of course, the students have fun with it too!

CFIS’s two interconnected art studios come complete with beautiful views of the Bow River Valley for extra inspiration in students’ artistic minds and to create an abundance of natural light. Each room is equipped with rugged tables suitable for painting and clay making as well as storage facilities to dry paper and porcelain art. The connected studios both have access to separate storage facilities for artist supplies. There is also a dedicated kiln room with two kilns that are properly vented and fire rated to meet safety standards.

Sample Artwork - Sendak Monsters : Grades 1 - 6

In preparation for Halloween, Grade one to six students were introduced to the art of Maurice Sendak. Each class was assigned an enlarged version of the monsters from the book 'Where the Wild Things Are' and were asked to reproduce each one using different texturing techniques. Since then, these monsters have been wandering our hallways. Click here or on the image to see more monsters!

Sample Artwork - Olympians Come to CFIS: Grades 7, 8 and 9

Students tried their hand at figure drawings of various athletic action positions then, in preparation for the sculpture, went on to study body proportions. Their goal with this sculpture was to work with the material to create a snapshot of an athletic and capture the effort, strength and agility needed to perform the sport. Click here or on the image to see more athletes!