Arts
At Savannah Country Day, the Fine & Performing Arts program exposes students to visual art, general music, choral music, jazz band, theatre, drama, photography, orchestra, and technology-based visual arts. Much of the program is performance and studio–based, culminating in exhibits and performances by individual groups as well as performances and exhibits collaboratively produced by the whole department. Class instruction focuses on process, the enhancement of technical skills, communication, performance skills, art criticism, and aesthetic awareness with reference to historical and cultural perspectives. Instruction is augmented by supplementary reading, research, discussion, technology, and exposure to professional artists and performing groups.
Our talented Fine Arts instructors work to develop the student’s ability to access, interpret, and evaluate imagery, movement, and sound; develop visual/spatial/hearing intelligence; and to build a life-long appreciation and understanding of the arts. Both independent and ensemble work is encouraged to develop self-reliance and confidence and to offer opportunities for social interaction and ethical development. Opportunities exist for student growth through local, state, and national festivals; conferences; and competitions. Students are offered a variety of formal, expressive, and technical experiences with the arts in grades kindergarten through twelve, with traditional Fine Arts Nights serving as cumulative performance assessments.
Arts News
![Strings Celebration]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733757561/savcdsorg/uaxrqwrzwm4qvefwhvys/SS-composite.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733757561/savcdsorg/uaxrqwrzwm4qvefwhvys/SS-composite.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733757561/savcdsorg/uaxrqwrzwm4qvefwhvys/SS-composite.png","width":800}])
Many of our Lower, Middle, and Upper School musicians participated in the Strings Celebration on December 8th. It was a spectacular showcase of talent and each of our string ensembles performed for a packed audience in Demere Gym. The evening concluded with a breathtaking rendition of Pachelbel's Canon in D featuring all 170 students. It was an inspiring display of musical skill and collaboration!
![Cara McIntosh ’26 Earns First Place in Young Writer’s Night]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733751850/savcdsorg/h0wkhrgqemovdbi0mufz/Screenshot2024-12-09at84353AM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733751850/savcdsorg/h0wkhrgqemovdbi0mufz/Screenshot2024-12-09at84353AM.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1733751850/savcdsorg/h0wkhrgqemovdbi0mufz/Screenshot2024-12-09at84353AM.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733751850/savcdsorg/h0wkhrgqemovdbi0mufz/Screenshot2024-12-09at84353AM.png","width":854}])
Congratulations to Cara McIntosh ’26 on winning first place at the 8th Annual Young Writer’s Night, hosted by Savannah Stage Company! On Sunday, December 8, her play Breakthrough was performed alongside works from nine other finalists representing schools across Chatham County. A group of professional actors brought the finalists’ plays to life, and a panel of industry experts selected Cara’s play as the winner.
Cara’s accomplishment comes with a cash prize and is especially meaningful as Breakthrough began as a class assignment for her Drama 250: “Acting Ensemble” course.
![GMEA Honor Orchestras]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1731591343/savcdsorg/qmw7bhokmshdbhw8puhl/orchestraphoto.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1731591343/savcdsorg/qmw7bhokmshdbhw8puhl/orchestraphoto.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1731591343/savcdsorg/qmw7bhokmshdbhw8puhl/orchestraphoto.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1731591343/savcdsorg/qmw7bhokmshdbhw8puhl/orchestraphoto.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1731591343/savcdsorg/qmw7bhokmshdbhw8puhl/orchestraphoto.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1731591343/savcdsorg/qmw7bhokmshdbhw8puhl/orchestraphoto.png","width":2200}])
Eight Country Day orchestra students were invited to participate in GMEA District 1 Middle and High School Honor Orchestras. They rehearsed for two days and performed on Saturday, November 9. Their clinician conductors, Carl Rieke and David Metrio, were impressed with their skills, and our students joyfully advanced their musical expertise. We are so proud of their accomplishments. Oskar Johnson-Liu ‘28, cello, Ryan Lin ‘28, viola, Keating Taylor ‘28, viola, Walker Anderson ‘30, cello, Mark Choi, ‘31, violin, Sam Bettag ‘31, bass, Dylan Gensheimer ‘28, violin, and Alyn Kim ‘28, violin.
![Outstanding One-Act Play Performance]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1731428538/savcdsorg/avr9fxdjlrrdo1xfvwuh/DSC07541.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1731428538/savcdsorg/avr9fxdjlrrdo1xfvwuh/DSC07541.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1731428538/savcdsorg/avr9fxdjlrrdo1xfvwuh/DSC07541.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1731428538/savcdsorg/avr9fxdjlrrdo1xfvwuh/DSC07541.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1731428538/savcdsorg/avr9fxdjlrrdo1xfvwuh/DSC07541.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1731428538/savcdsorg/avr9fxdjlrrdo1xfvwuh/DSC07541.jpg","width":2200}])
Our talented cast and crew delivered an unforgettable performance of Shakespeare in Love at the GHSA Division 3-A, D1 One-Act Play contest! Special recognition went to Gabby Galoni and Mollie McFadyen, who were both named to the All-Star cast, and Daniel Bosch, who was awarded Best Actor. James Venhaus, Director of Fine and Performing Arts and Upper School Drama teacher, was honored as the Best Director. Judges praised our hornets production with nearly perfect scores of 98, 98, and 99, showcasing the exceptional dedication and talent of everyone involved. Congratulations to the entire team on this incredible achievement!
![Haley Breese's Film Wins Awards at SCAD Film Festival]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1730730760/savcdsorg/ocly4inemjwkerex9ne6/Screenshot2024-11-04at92202AM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1730730760/savcdsorg/ocly4inemjwkerex9ne6/Screenshot2024-11-04at92202AM.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1730730760/savcdsorg/ocly4inemjwkerex9ne6/Screenshot2024-11-04at92202AM.png","width":792}])
A huge congratulations to Upper School art teacher Haley Breese on her recent awards at the SCAD Film Festival. Her film—Failure to Fail—won Best Student Documentary Short and the Katie Spikes Legacy Scholarship Award. The Katie Spikes Legacy Scholarship Award is a significant achievement, and as a result of this win, Failure to Fail is set to be featured on CBS's 60 Minutes! Congratulations to Haley and her partners!