Judah Marans Music and Art Center
The Judah Marans Music and Arts Center was established in the Fall of 2017 to honor Judah’s legacy. Judah Marans graduated from Yavneh Academy in 2002, and pursued his studies at Ramaz High School, Brandeis University, and Berkeley School of Law. During Judah’s early childhood years at Yavneh, he cultivated his musical and artistic passions.
The Judah Marans Music and Art Center pays homage to Judah’s creative talents by providing today’s students a beautiful environment for Yavneh to promote artistic creativity. In the wake of Judah’s untimely death at the age of 27, the Judah Marans Music and Art Center was conceived, financed and built to elevate the arts within the world of Jewish education.
MUSIC:
Music at Yavneh takes on many exciting and enriching forms and forums. In the younger grades, students are introduced to elementary music theory, concepts and music appreciation in weekly 30 minute classes. Music appreciation includes exposure to the beautiful world of opera. “Opera Club” takes place during the lunch/recess period. Over the course of the school year, students watch and discuss 5-6 operas. At least one trip to the Metropolitan Opera occurs during the year, where students have the opportunity to see an opera they’ve enjoyed in Opera Club live on one of opera’s most celebrated stages. Occasionally, evening family trips are arranged, and students, together with parents, enjoy opera together.
Music in fourth and fifth grade is an elective. Students put their acquired musical knowledge into practice by learning to play the recorder. Fifth graders take it to the next level by participating in “Link Up.” an interactive music program run by Carnegie Hall. Students learn a proscribed repertoire, and at the end of May, not only attend, but participate in a gala concert with hundreds of other students.
CHORAL ACTIVITIES:
Students in fourth and fifth grade are invited to join the “Junior Chorus.” Admission is open to all students and rehearsals take place after school during the club period. The Junior Chorus performs throughout the year, both in and out of school.
The Concert Choir is for Middle School students, and admission is by audition held at the beginning of the year. The Concert Choir also performs during the year, both in and out of school, and has earned a reputation of striving for choral excellence in the community at large. The Concert Choir is frequently called upon to perform at communal events and is the only Jewish day school to have been invited to perform the National Anthem by the New Jersey Devils hockey team at Jewish Heritage Night every year since 2016, an honor rarely awarded to an elementary school ensemble.
The highlight of the year for both music and art is the “Evening of the Arts.” The night features performances by all our ensembles, and students who have reached a level of proficiency on an instrument.
ART:
Yavneh's art program provides a rich and engaging fine arts education for students in grades 1 through 6. The curriculum is designed to foster creativity, develop technical skills, and build an appreciation for both historical and contemporary art.
Students work with a wide variety of materials and techniques, including drawing, painting, and sculpture using clay, plaster, and papier-mâché. They explore the elements of art—line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value—through hands-on projects that encourage experimentation and personal expression.
Art history and the study of contemporary artists are woven throughout the curriculum, helping students make connections between their own work and the broader world of visual art. They learn to observe, analyze, and discuss art while developing a deeper understanding of different cultures, time periods, and styles.
In grades 4, 5, and 6, art becomes an elective course that students take twice a week for a semester, allowing for more focused exploration and skill development. This structure supports growing independence and creative confidence.
All student artwork is proudly celebrated and showcased at our annual Evening of the Arts celebration at the end of the year, a joyful event that honors the creativity and accomplishments of every young artist in our school community.