Visual Art

and Band

Bulletin board with large letters spelling 'ART', surrounded by colorful student art projects featuring abstract designs and words like 'creative,' 'passionate,' and 'energetic.'
Young children and teenagers playing trumpets in a band during a performance.

At MS 50, we believe that the arts are an integral part of a good education, and we ensure all of our students have class time dedicated to the arts. In 6th grade, students take two month “introductory” courses in visual art and band, before selecting one program to continue with for the rest of the year. They then continue that class in 7th and 8th grade, allowing them to specialize in an area of interest.

Person painting rabbit illustrations at a table with watercolor sets, brushes, and reference photo of a rabbit.
A hand holding a colorful circular mosaic made of small glass pieces with a vibrant background of mixed artwork.

Visual Art

Our comprehensive visual art program offers students the chance to paint, sculpt, work with a pottery wheel, print, design clothing and more! Art at MS 50 is an expression of student voice and activism. Our art doesn’t just stay in the classroom, as multiple MS 50 students have created the winning design for the citywide Black Lives Matter at NYC Schools shirt design competition including the 2022 winning design by Aria B!

Two young girls playing flutes during a performance on stage with blue lighting.
Young musicians playing various wind instruments on stage during a concert with a backdrop of red and gray curtains.

Band

Our band program offers all students the chance to discover and master instruments while learning how to become supportive and productive members of an ensemble. Our band has competed successfully at NYSSMA, with our Jazz Band recently receiving a gold rating! Our students have gone on to participate in some of the city’s top high school band programs.

A group of people outdoors playing conga drums. A man in a black jacket and cap is energetically leading the group with raised hands, while others are sitting and drumming. A basketball hoop and a chain-link fence are visible in the background.
Two people in blue hoodies playing percussion instruments, wearing face masks in front of a red curtain.

Bomba

MS 50 has a rich partnership with Dr. Drum, the co-founder of BombaYo. BombaYo engages communities throughout NYC area to raise awareness of Afro Puerto Rican culture and to connect Bomba to the vast traditions of the African Diaspora. At MS 50, Bomba is used as part of our wider Integrated Arts partnership with El Puente and is infused throughout our curriculum and school life.

student art collage showing Brooklyn bridge
student collage showing Taj Mahal
student actors deliver monologues sitting at the front of a stage
students playing drums and tambourines on stage
students use a camcorder
students playing drums
student art collage showing leaning tower of Pisa
student abstract self portrait
Mr. Wareham conducting
student plays the baritone
student plays the trombone
students sing and play the keyboard
student smiles while playing the piano
student art project
large display of student mandalas
close up of student mandala
student plays the clarinet
student operates the follow spot
students adjust the camera and light board
students play the congas
student plays a bass guitar