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Current education research shows that studying the arts develops essential qualities people need to succeed: creativity, cooperation, communication, cultural understanding, problem solving, and teamwork. Additionally, involvement in the arts teaches self-discipline, develops self-esteem, and reinforces the direct connection between study, hard work, and high levels of achievement. With this in mind, the MTS Performing Arts department strives to develop the whole child, to stimulate each child's creativity, to encourage each student's self-expression and ability to communicate,
to challenge students to think and organize information sequentially, and, of course, to develop skills in music and theatre arts. In the course of a school year, MTS students have numerous opportunities to gain performance experience and to develop confidence when presenting themselves to an audience. In grades K - 3, the music curriculum focuses on developing students' basic understanding of rhythm and pitch. Introductory classes in creative dramatics provide an outlet for further self-expression through role-play and improvisational theatre games. Weekly movement classes develop students' locomotor skills, sense of spatial relationships, body awareness, and confidence.
Students in grades 4-5 gain valuable performing experience while putting on a large-scale musical theatre project, the MTS Winter Play. Cast in supporting roles, fourth graders have their first experience with a challenging theatrical production, while fifth-grade students go through the audition and rehearsal process for the first time. In addition to developing projection, memorization, and dramatic interpretation skills, students learn to use props and costumes effectively, to stay in character while on stage, and to build a relationship with the audience. Previous Winter Play projects have included Peter Pan ('04), Oliver ('03), Bugsy Malone Jr. ('02), Annie ('01), and The Wizard of Oz ('00).
The music curriculum for grades 6-8 is designed to increase students' knowledge of and exposure to a wide variety of music, to expand the scope of their musical interest, and to augment the social studies curriculum. Students are introduced to music of the Australian Aborigines, the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, and various Middle Eastern and Asian cultures; in addition, they study the history of Western music, from the Medieval period through the twentieth century. Through studying their own musical heritage, and the musical traditions of various cultures, students acquire a broader understanding of cultural diversity and its importance in developing civilization as a whole.
 MTS students in grades 4-8 may participate in the instrumental music program, which involves both individual private lessons and three bands (Junior Band, MTS Concert Band, and Jazz Band). Additionally, students in grades 6-8 may participate in many different performing arts groups, including the MTS Chorus, the Boys' Dance Ensemble, the Girls' Dance Ensemble, the African Drum Ensemble, the Vocal Ensemble, and Scene Study. Weekly rehearsals held during enrichment periods on Thursdays and after school, prepare students for the Fall and Spring concerts.
Additionally, MTS produces a Spring Musical, open to students in grades 6-8 by audition (with priority given to eighth-grade students when casting lead roles). Previous Spring Musicals have included My Fair Lady ('04), Crazy For You ('03), Into The Woods ('02), The Music Man ('01), Oklahoma ('00), Once Upon A Mattress ('99), Bye, Bye Birdie ('98), Into The Woods ('97), The Sound of Music ('96), Fame ('95), Anything Goes ('94), Fiddler on the Roof ('93), Bye, Bye Birdie ('92), The King & I ('91), The Music Man ('90), The Sound of Music ('89), The Boyfriend ('88), The Wizard of Oz ('87), Oliver ('86), and My Fair Lady ('85).
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