Instrumental Music
Westlake Christian Academy’s band program is recognized for excellent instrumental music performances in area churches and in the community at large. Students from WCA’s band program perform not only for school functions, but also for their respective churches and in musical groups throughout the community. Our goal as a department is to honor God with excellence in the performance of quality instrumental music and to encourage lifelong participation in music. The school hosts multiple instrumental concerts each year.
- Beginning Band – Qualified Westlake and homeschool students in grades four and up may take the music aptitude test to determine readiness for our Beginning Band program. Beginning Band is for students in their first year of playing a band instrument. Students typically receive one 30 minute group lesson and one full band rehearsal per week, held during the school day. Students in Beginning Band finish the first year by performing in a Spring Beginning Band Concert.
- Intermediate Band – Qualified Westlake and homeschool students in their second year of band participation who have successfully demonstrated skills above the Beginning Band level make up the Intermediate Band. Students typically receive one 30 minute group lesson and two full band rehearsal per week, held during the school day. Qualified students may perform at solo and ensemble contests held in the spring semester.
- Concert Band – Concert Band is for students having acquired the skills necessary to play music at an upper junior high to senior high school level, as determined by the director. Students through 8th grade will typically receive one group lesson per week. Band is taken as a course during the school day. Westlake’s Concert Band has performed at school programs, competed at contests, participated in music ministry for area churches and school chapels and participated in the Association of Christian Schools International’s music festivals.
- Orchestra – String orchestra is offered as an elective course during the school day. The string orchestra joins the band for some concerts.
Vocal Music
Westlake’s Vocal Music department provides performance opportunities for Junior High and High School students.
- Choir – Using a wide variety of musical styles from traditional to contemporary, students in our Choir develop their vocal skills while glorifying Christ and representing Westlake at school concerts and in a number of church and community activities.
Elementary students learn the basic elements of music, including musical symbols and notation. Depending on grade level, students learn to play bells, simple wind and percussion instruments, and string instruments. Additionally, elementary students (1st–5th) perform in a Christmas concert.
Early Elementary students (preschool–kindergarten) perform in an annual Christmas concert.
Visual Arts
Westlake Christian Academy seeks to provide each student with a positive opportunity to develop as a creative individual. God’s attributes are most clearly understood as the student perceives similarities between his own creative abilities and the work of God’s hands (Psalm 8:3-4). Because God is a God of order, students can learn rules that will help to develop their creative processes, as well as their confidence, self-worth, and sense of responsibility. Respect for materials and respect for others can also be developed. Students can see the importance of creating. They can learn about design elements and learn to appreciate the beauty of all creation as they come to know God as the Creator of the universe–the Master Designer in his power and majesty. They can use the Visual Arts as means to communicate God’s truth to a fallen world.
Drama Performances
Westlake is proud to offer our students the opportunity to showcase their thespian talents through performance. Each year our teachers select a play which suits our students best. Recently we’ve presented Mission: Possible, The Princess and the Goblin, and Murders in the Heir.