Art is a key aspect of the Voyager curriculum. The arts convey knowledge and meaning that is not learned through the study of other subjects. They represent a form of thinking and a way of knowing based in human imagination, judgment, and emotion. Schools that incorporate music, art, drama, dance and creative writing into the curriculum have found that teaching the arts has a significant effect on overall success in school.
Students at Voyager have weekly art classes with a Masters trained art teacher and regular classroom teachers integrate art into other curriculum areas on a regular basis. In 2006, Voyager School was awarded the ARTS EXCELLENCE award by the Hawai‘i Arts Alliance. The award was given in recognition of Voyager’s significant contributions to the children and youth of Hawai‘i for creating a school community where all the arts are an integral part of learning throughout the curriculum.
Music, dance, drama are regular, important and interwoven parts of the curriculum. As with art, great composers and musicians of the world’s cultures of all ages will be studied in the context of their lives, the history of their times and their contribution to artistic expression. Students sing, dance, play and interpret as part of their studies. When the program is fully operational Voyager’s music education program will begin with classes in rhythm, pitch, dynamics, tone, color and form, choral singing, and the opportunity to study the ukulele and keyboard, as well as dance.
Voyager chorus will sing songs in many languages, thereby broadening their sense of cultural awareness while improving their language skills. Choral singing develops social skills, because singing in a chorus requires ear training: learning to hear oneself as well as listen to other people. It also develops the power and courage to express feeling, thus contributing to the health and well being of the individual and the group. By singing, by playing a musical instrument, by dancing, by attending recitals, the symphony, ballets and other musical performances, the pupils acquire a taste for music that becomes a source of nourishment for the rest of their lives.