MUSIC
MUSIC
MUSIC
OVERVIEW
Our highly regarded music program has been designated a Best Community for Music Education since 2013. Recognized on the regional and national level for outstanding performing groups and faculty/curricular achievements, the Westport Public Schools Music program also maintains community connections with various organizations including Music for Youth, the Westport Public Library and the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, to name a few.
The department strives to develop each students’ artistic literacy and global awareness by developing their ability to create, perform and respond to diverse music at the highest level in a safe and nurturing environment. Department goals for achieving a student's musical success:
• Every student should have an opportunity to develop a
lifelong connection to music
• Every student should be able to use music as a vehicle
to interact with their communities
• Every student should be entitled to an education that includes music
through Grade 8
• Every student should have the opportunity to participate
in a music class through Grade 12
• Every student should have the opportunity to participate in the
music program regardless of his or her financial situation
• Every student should have the opportunity to perform on a regular basis
• Every student should have the opportunity to audition for Middle and High School Regional/All-State Music Festivals
OVERVIEW
Our highly regarded music program has been designated a Best Community for Music Education since 2013. Recognized on the regional and national level for outstanding performing groups and faculty/curricular achievements, the Westport Public Schools Music program also maintains community connections with various organizations including Music for Youth, the Westport Public Library and the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, to name a few.
The department strives to develop each students’ artistic literacy and global awareness by developing their ability to create, perform and respond to diverse music at the highest level in a safe and nurturing environment. Department goals for achieving a student's musical success:
• Every student should have an opportunity to develop a
lifelong connection to music
• Every student should be able to use music as a vehicle
to interact with their communities
• Every student should be entitled to an education that includes music
through Grade 8
• Every student should have the opportunity to participate
in a music class through Grade 12
• Every student should have the opportunity to participate in the
music program regardless of his or her financial situation
• Every student should have the opportunity to perform on a regular basis
• Every student should have the opportunity to audition for Middle and High School Regional/All-State Music Festivals
SCHOOLS
SCHOOLS
The Long Lots
Pan Island Express
Steel Drum Band
with music director
Ms Tucker
The Long Lots
Pan Island Express
Steel Drum Band
with music director
Ms Tucker
The Long Lots
Pan Island Express
Steel Drum Band
with music director
Ms Tucker
"Mood Meter"
-Ms Robinson's GFS Grade ? Art Class
How artists communicate their emotional state through color, texture, value and media choice
"Mood Meter"
-Ms Robinson's GFS Grade ? Art Class
How artists communicate their emotional state through color, texture, value and media choice
"Title"
-Mr Soper's KHS Art Class
Description....
"Title"
-Mr Soper's KHS Art Class
Description....
"Title"
-Mr Soper's KHS Art Class
Description....
COURSE OF STUDY
COURSE OF STUDY
COURSE OF STUDY
STAPLES VISUAL ARTS
Staples High School, Westport CT
Staples High School, Westport CT
The Westport Music and Visual Arts Department’s vision is to inspire curious, connected, and joyful students through high-level experiences that develop creative, skillful, and expressive artistry.
QUICK GUIDE STAPLES ART OFFERINGS
GALLERY
AP Art & Design
3-D Studio Art
Ceramics
AP Art & Design
ART in Action
Staples Art Show 2026
Three SHS Artists Win Teen Vision Awards
Three Staples students received recognition at the 2026 Teen Vision Awards at Sacred Heart University. Winning submissions were:
Lucas Flesch (Ebb and Flow) First Place
Chloe Geremek (Stem of Perfection) Second Place
Mackenzie Meltzer (Maze) Second Place
A reception will be held Sunday, May 17th, 1:00-4:00pm with an awards presentation at 2:00pm at the SHU Gallery of Art & Design
AP ART & Design at One River April 20-May 8
Staples High School's AP Art and Design students will showcase their work in a special solo exhibition at One River School of Art + Design, highlighting a year of creativity, exploration, and dedication. The show celebrates two outstanding AP Art and Design classes whose work reflects a wide range of ideas, materials, and personal expression.
"AP Art and Design is a year-long investigation where students explore a central idea, question, or theme through ongoing experimentation and revision. Over time, they develop and document their process, showing how their materials, techniques, and concepts evolve into a cohesive portfolio." - Staples High School Art Teacher Stephanie SIleo
Featured student artists include Cole Cummings, Alexandra Emmert, Dylan Endich, Eliza Greenspan, Piper Grove, Matthew Jahn, Chloe Jordan, Aurelia Laitmon, Isabella Larson, Emersyn Miller, Sydney Minervini, Sally Nathan, Olivia Schiavone, Benjamin Serfaty, Jessie Zhang, Charlotte Booth, Dexter Chadwick, Jonathan Deitch, Natalia Garment, Kaya Halper, Nina Katz, Ava Kindt, Risa Mass, Harry McLaughlin, and Penn Videler.
The community is invited to attend the opening reception on Friday, May 8th from 4:00 to 5:30 PM. All are welcome to join in recognizing the hard work and talent of Westport’s emerging artists.
Congratulations to the SHS students whose works were chosen for exhibition in the CT Scholastic Art Awards, the prestigious, high-level, professionally juried event recognizing only the best CT student artwork:
Gold Key
Alexandra Emmert - Mixed Media
Case Robinson - Photography
Silver Key
Natalia Garment - Printmaking
Caleb Miller - Graphic Design
Honorable Mention
Charlie Grodd - Photography
Ava Kindt - Illustration
Archie Kobetitsch - Ceramics & Glass
Theo Rowen - Drawing
Eight SHS Students Win Scholastic Art Awards
Staples Student Earns National Gold Medal in Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Westport Public Schools is proud to congratulate Staples High School student Case Robinson on earning a National Gold Medal in the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, one of the most prestigious recognitions for creative students in the United States. Case’s photograph, "Rising in the Dawn: The Calm Before the Flight." was selected from more than 335,000 submissions nationwide for the originality, technical skill, and personal vision demonstrated in his work.
This national recognition builds on Case’s earlier success at the Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards, where he received a Gold Key, advancing his work to the national level. With Staples High School limited to just 30 total submissions, this achievement reflects both the exceptional quality of Case’s work and the strength of a visual arts program that serves nearly 1,000 students, including 300 in photography.
“Earning a National Gold Medal is an extraordinary accomplishment. We are incredibly proud of Case’s work and grateful for the support of our K–12 arts educators and the Westport community. I also want to recognize the exceptional guidance of Mrs. Choi and Mrs. Phelan, whose work with our photography students helps make achievements like this possible,” said Stephen Zimmerman, Music and Visual Arts Coordinator for Westport Public Schools.
Case joins a distinguished legacy of Scholastic Art & Writing Awards alumni, including Andy Warhol, Stephen King, and Amanda Gorman. He has been invited to attend the national awards ceremony on June 10, 2026, in New York City, where he will be recognized alongside other top student artists from across the country. According to the official announcement released on March 25, 2026, Case’s work will be featured in the Scholastic online galleries and included in Yearbook 2026, a publication highlighting the nation’s top student artists.
Westport Public Schools celebrates Case Robinson, his teachers, and the Staples High School visual arts community for this outstanding national achievement.
SHS NAHS Spread Positivity with Art
The SHS chapter of the NAHS has been creating inspirational moments throughout this school year. Starting the end of last year they launched the first annual Chalk Fest, where members drew and created positive messages for students to see as they entered school in the mornings. This October NAHS artists collaborated on Jack O Lantern creations and in December they spread a little holiday cheer by drawing seasonal images and messages on the front lobby windows.
The Westport Visual Arts Department’s vision is to inspire curious, connected, and joyful students through high-level experiences that develop creative, skillful, and expressive artistry.