(Grades 4-8) Students have the opportunity to learn and grow in the area of music through individual and group band lessons. Our concert band performs throughout the school year. There is an additional fee for this program. You may contact Patty Bather ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) for further information.

(Grades K-5) Rhythm building, singing and music appreciation is the approach of this fun muisc program available during the school day. This course is a part of our curriculum and meets one time per week. You may contact Patty Bather ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) for further information.

(Grades K-8) The Minneapolis Institue of Arts provides art instruction on various art subjects. The course is tied to experiential art projects and managed by our parent volunteers. http://www.artsmia.org/index.php?section_id=11 

(Grades 4-8) 

A unique educational opportunity exists at St. John’s school in Excelsior. An elective, after hours carving club, has 4^th -8^th grade pupils, learning to relief carve in the traditional European style – using full sized tools with a wooden mallet, while standing.

Listening to them chatter away as they carve is like a trip into the past as they communicate with each other. An example of the ne w language they are learning is when one asks another for a narrow veiner (#11 sweep, 3,, width straight shank). Or perhaps requesting a wide, slow back-bend gouge (#3 sweep, 20mm, wide gouge with the bevel edge upside down).

Learning the arcane language of woodcarving takes the students back hundreds of years. This is because carving has been part of human existence across Asia, Europe, North and South America, Polynesia…you name it, from before the time of Christ.

Also inherent in this learning experience is the component of material science: wood hardness, grain direction, properties of tool steel, and angle of the tool’s edge. Size of tool also matters: wide tools are more difficult to force through the wood.

On a more subtle level, students also learn patience, deferred gratification, resilience. And important in this day and age, they develop TRUE self –confidence; knowing they are doing something that their parents are unable to do.

Mr. Becker

(Grades 4-8) The theater group at St. John's performs one play per year. The talented group works after school with the help of volunteers through the parish and school. 

Our 2011-12 Play - A Picture Perfect Plan

Our students have an opportunity to take private lessons throughout the school day (schedule permitting) with music instructors. There is an additional fee for this program. You may contact Ruth Borash ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) for further information. Piano schedule can be found on the left under documents.