Talents and the Arts

Talents and Arts at I.S. 77

I.S. 77 is proud to offer elective classes to all students in talents and the arts. Students are able to select from Band, Chorus, Dance / Drama, and Tech for their talent classes. Talent classes meet four times per week and provide opportunities for students to deeply engage with a topic of their interest, express their creativity, and develop their skills through applied practice.

Band

Students in our band program get the opportunity to master an instrument and learn to play music as a part of a cohesive group. Under the tutelage of Mr. Cziotka, students enter our band program as beginners and leave the 8th grade as experts. Students may choose from many instruments, including clarinet, trumpet, trombone, percussion, piano, and bass guitar. The I.S. 77 band performs frequently at school events and amazes us each and every time. Students who demonstrate hard work and dedication might be selected for our showcase band, an after-school program that prepares students to play in competitions.

Chorus

Students in the I.S 77 chorus are members of an amazing team who learn to sing in harmony under the instruction of Ms. Martinez. Students in this talent pathway not only hone their skills as singers, but also learn essential music terms and vocabulary, how to read music, and essential skills in working together. The chorus practices songs in various languages and styles and performs regularly at school events and concerts. The chorus also has opportunities to collaborate with other elementary and high school students in the district for performances.

Dance and Drama

Students who have a natural inclination for the stage will find their home in our drama and dance talent pathway. Ms. Phillips-Gleis works with our amazing students to develop their dancing and acting skills. Not only do students learn to dance in various styles over the course of the school year, but they also have opportunities to practice monologues and rehearse scenes that they perform at various events throughout the year.

Tech

Students in our tech elective work with Mr. So over the course of their middle school years to learn 21st century skills in technology and computer science. Students learn how to code through languages that increase in complexity, including Scratch and Python, in order to create computer programs and games. Students also learn about hardware and tech products, with some students being selected to the Tech Squad to support with tech issues that other students and teachers have around the school.