Performing Arts
Classes
ART I :
The first semester is an introduction to the elements of design. While learning about the elements students will be asked to use different drawing and painting materials. Every few weeks you will be introduced to a new element of art, and a new drawing or painting medium. While studying the first four elements (line, form, shape and space) you will draw from life (draw from an object you can see). When the element of value is introduced, we will begin painting in black and while. When color is introduced, we will begin painting in color and start learning about color theory. The second semester students will learn the principles of art, and continue to explore Various art mediums and techniques.
ART II :
Art II is an elective art course that enables students to advance their skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and digital arts. Students focus on extending the range of their own imagination, artistic creativity and vision including sharing art with the school and local community. Students are expected to develop the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with individuals on group projects.
DRAWING AND PAINTING :
Students will demonstrate basic skill building in drawing and painting production, applying the fundamentals of the elements and principles of fine art and design. During the year-long course, students will experience not only art production, but also artistic philosophy, art criticism and art history. In addition, students will also analyze and make critical assessments about artworks as well as produce artwork that shows individual creativity and problem solving ability.
GRAPHIC JOURNALISM :
This Graphic Journalism is a year long course which provides a broad overview of layout design concepts, journalistic coverage methods, and publishing standards. The students in this course create the school’s all color hardbound yearbook which is professionally published and distributed to all students and staff members, as well as local libraries.
AP STUDIO ART :
The Advanced Placement Studio Art Drawing course enables highly motivated students to do college-level work in studio art while still in high school. AP Studio Art is not based on a written examination; rather, candidates submit a portfolio of work for evaluation with the College Board at the end of the school year. Students who successfully complete the course can request credit from the college or university they will attend. The number college credit awarded for AP scores is awarded differently by individual colleges and universities.
AP ART HISTORY :
This AP art history course provides a broad overview of art beginning with the prehistoric and ending with the twentieth century. This course will be grounded in the different artistic movements, styles and developments of art history, and will also discuss major artists and their relationship to the historical period in which they created. In addition, this course aims to give each student an “eye” and a vocabulary for art, so that he or she will be able to intelligently discuss periods and styles of art as well as artists and their contributions. Field trips to local museums are required.
MUSIC I / JAZZ BAND :
This is an introductory class to the performance of electric guitar and set drums. We will concentrate on learning to read music, both staff and chord styles of notation. We will examine different styles of music ranging from blues and jazz to funk and pop, and will address the different “grooves” or “feels” necessary to perform these various genres.
MUSIC II / JAZZ BAND II :
Jazz Ensemble is a performance based class with an emphasis on larger ensemble playing. We will continue to improve on site reading and improvisational skills, as well as focus on musical theory. We will cover many different styles ranging from blues, big band jazz, to funk, to salsa.
DRAMA I:
The primary focus in Drama I is learning improvisation skills and techniques that will be used in both performance as well as in devising plays in class. Students do scene and monologue work on texts that are appropriate for their age and level. A system of performance analysis is used to review plays throughout the year, teaching the students to become discerning and critical viewers.
DRAMA II:
Is an advanced improvisation class wherein the skills they learned in Drama I are honed and put into action. Throughout the school year these students present improvised skits and scenes to the student body at rallies and school functions. At the end of the year the students engage in a friendly performance competition at a performance of the “Improv Olympics”.