"Civilizations are most often remembered for their art and thought...I have always believed in the definition of an educated man or woman as one who could, if necessary, re-found his or her civilization. That means we must teach our students more than hard facts and floppy disks. We must teach them the rich artistic inheritance of our culture and an appreciation of how fine music enriches both the student who studies it, and the society that produces it...The existence of strong music and fine arts curricula are important to keeping the humanities truly humanizing and liberal arts education truly liberating."

Ronald Reagan, Former President, United States of America

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Fine Arts

MLCA has a strong fine arts program beginning in the Grammar stage. All our students are taught music theory beginning in Kindergarten and piano beginning in first grade. They progress to stringed instruments (violin and cello) and handbells in seventh and eighth grade. They are also instructed in vocal music from Kindergarten to sixth grade.

Our art program also begins in the first grade. It begins by focusing on the grammar of art: the basic elements of line, shape, color, texture, etc. and drawing skills. In fourth grade, art history is added, correlating with the history curriculum. As the students progress through the years, they absorb bits and pieces of art history and style and learn the great ideas and thoughts of past cultures through history and literature. In time, each develops his own style and way of communicating his own ideas to the world of today.

What is the benefit of such an emphasis on the fine arts? Some may argue that this emphasis is completely impractical and a waste of time and money since it is largely irrelevant in our present culture. Such a shortsighted approach ultimately reduces education to mere vocational training. True and worthy education is much broader than preparing boys and girls for a marketable skill. Worthy education prepares us to think and to act as humans in community. It prepares us to think critically and to discern between right and wrong, good and bad, truth and error, and beauty and ugliness. Vast knowledge and skills without such discernment and refinement are not always a blessing to society. Historical figures like Hitler, Stalin, and many others show that intellectually gifted people can use their knowledge and talents in very wicked and harmful ways. A fine arts education serves to soften and refine the hard edges of the human spirit.