Extended Day, Enrichments & Clubs

Every spring, Brown School participates in the Olympics of the Visual Arts (OVA), a day-long competition sponsored by the New York State Art Teachers Association. A lot of preparation goes into this day. Students can work individually or in a team, and they begin months before by selecting a category for the long-term problem on which they would like to work. Categories include architecture, photography, fashion design, sculpture, painting, drawing, illustration, or graphic design. Each category offered has a different prompt that students must follow to solve the long-term problem. Students “solve” the long-term problem using historical references, brainstorming, problem-solving, and creative solutions, documenting their progress and building a creative piece along the way. On the day of the event, students display their piece and their documentation at the Saratoga Springs City Center. Then, they are given a short-term problem called the spontaneous problem, which is solved on-site during the competition with a limited number of supplies. The solutions to the short and long term problems are judged, and the day concludes by awarding the top three winners at each grade level in each category. A special award is given to the most creative solution for each problem category.

Brown School competes in the National Science Bowl’s Middle School competition, which consists of a car race and a test of math and science knowledge. The event has traditionally been held at GE Global Research each spring with support from GE and Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corporation as well as volunteers from GE and KAPL Nova Society.

Each year, students in grades Fifth through Ninth grades put on a junior version of a musical production. After auditioning in the spring, students spend the fall working with directors, musicians, and a choreographer to prepare for December performances. Many aspects of the show are done by the students, including acting, stage crew, lighting, and sound. Recent productions have included:
• Beauty and the Beast Jr.
• The Wizard of Oz Jr.
• Alice in Wonderland Jr.
• Mary Poppins Jr.
• The Little Mermaid Jr.

In addition to all the musical opportunities during the day, students can participate in:

Enrichment:
Many students take music lessons right at Brown after school through our Enrichment Program. Offerings vary year to year, but have included violin, guitar, piano, drums, and brass in past years.

Music Cafe:
Students in Fourth Grade through High School, as well as Brown School families and community members alike take the small stage in our own Galleria Art and Music Café during Open Mic Nights. With a real coffeehouse vibe, it’s a great place to share vocal or instrumental skills in a solo or group setting to wow your friends!

Street Musicians:
Many students choose to perform and showcase their talents as “street” musicians in the hallways of the school prior to the start of the Art and Music fair each spring.

NYSSMA:
Brown School is a member of the New York State School Music Association, and students are encouraged to prepare solo or ensemble pieces to be played at our area festivals.

Public Performances:
In addition to our own Veteran’s Day Celebration during school, we sing patriotic songs at the mall around Veteran’s Day. Caroling and playing bells is a popular Brown School holiday tradition. Students serenade those on Union Street and warm up with cookies and hot cocoa afterward.

ESYO:
We are home to The Empire State Youth Orchestra and we are lucky enough to have them perform for us from time to time. Brown Students are welcomed to try out for the group as well!

Field trips are designed to involve students in real-life experiences that augment the learning taking place in the classroom.

In the lower grades, such excursions might include visits to local orchards, outdoor educational centers, museums, zoos, and government buildings. Students have also taken trips to Proctors theater to see the ESYO Youth Concert, and other theaters to see theatrical performances.

Students in the middle school participate in overnight trips. Traditionally, the Sixth through Eighth Grade students start the year with a team-building trip to Camp Chingachgook. Later in the year, each grade level takes an overnight trip to a city such as Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, Baltimore, or Washington, DC. Additional day trips occur as tie-ins to the curriculum.

Brown School Color Run:
Brown School is proud to sponsor an annual Color Run which is open to the community! The Color Run is a five-kilometer event that caters to everyone from first-time runners to seasoned athletes. At each kilometer mark, Color Runners are doused from head to toe in a different colored powder. Participants wear black or white at the starting line and finish the race plastered in color. Once the race is over, the fun continues at the Finish Festival, a larger-than-life party equipped with music, food, photo ops, and more massive color throws which create millions of vivid color combinations. Trust us, this is the best post-5K party on the planet! The Color Run is proud to be a catalyst that inspires our participants to live a more active lifestyle, on top of having fun!

Family Dinner Night Out:
Once a month Brown School families and our community meet up at various local restaurants to enjoy a dinner with friends.

Each year, students in grades Fifth through Ninth grades put on a junior version of a musical production.After auditioning in the spring, students spend the fall working with directors, musicians, and a choreographer to prepare for December performances.Many aspects of the show are done by the students, including acting, stage crew, lighting, and sound.Recent productions have included:
• Beauty and the Beast Jr.
• The Wizard of Oz Jr.
• Alice in Wonderland Jr.
• Mary Poppins Jr.
• The Little Mermaid Jr.