The arts play an important role in the life of York School. All our students participate in the arts at some level and many are involved in a wide range of arts activities. In the performing arts, we offer three musical ensembles—Choir, Chamber Choir, and Jazz Band—as well as our theatre program, which presents at least one production each year. In recent years, choral students have enjoyed opportunities such as a Southern California tour which included performances in Disneyland and at the Santa Barbara Mission, and performing concerts in the Carmel Mission Basilica. Last year, our theater students had the privilege of producing the amateur premiere of the Off-Broadway musical Alice by Heart, by the Tony and Grammy Award-winning team Duncan Sheik, Steven Sater, and Jessie Nelson.
In the visual arts we offer classes in drawing, painting, and digital photography. The art studio is a wonderful place to explore and celebrate the diversity that is so highly valued at York School. Our Falcons have swept local competitions such as the Carmel Art Association's Youth Competition "For the Love of Art," and the Carl Cherry Center for the Art's "Thinking Out Loud" Regional Art Competition. All our classes, ensembles, and productions are designed both to be accessible to beginning students and challenging for those more advanced. Beginning students often discover hidden talents in themselves, and students with exceptional ability in the arts—including those who may be considering college and professional work in the field—will find many rich opportunities at York.
Our visual and performing arts program offers students new ways to view the world and express their creativity. They build better problem solving skills and strengthen their confidence, as well as develop passions and hobbies that resurface throughout their lives.