The Christmas Masque, which arose from the Sixth Grade study of the Middle Ages and which is in the style of a medieval masque, is the School’s traditional winter dramatic presentation. The students learn choral music from the 14th through the 16th centuries, which is performed solo and in small ensembles. ["The Christmas Masque at Far Brook celebrates the expression of our universal human longing for a more peaceful, better world." The Christmas Masque "is meant to transcend any particular religion – even though it is based on a particular religion." (Quotations from the Far Brook Middle States Report) ] The Christmas Masque is presented prior to the December vacation.
Other festivals of light and hope are shared in classrooms or in Morning Meeting. The spirit of Hanukkah pervades the School through the baking of latkes, the lighting of menorahs, and the retelling of the story of the Maccabees. Diwali, Kwanzaa, Santa Lucia, the Chinese New Year (Nien), and the Japanese New Year (O-Shogatsu) may be shared through the help of parent volunteers. And every year at this time, paintings by students on classroom windows reflect our diverse traditions.