Performing & Fine Arts
Music Courses
Instrumental Music
Concert Choir
Music Trek
Technology in Music
Music Theory
Music Activities
A Cappella
Advanced Chamber Ensemble
Advanced Jazz Combo
All-School Musical
Recording and Concert Production
Sirens (US Girls' Doowop)
Those Guys (US Boys' Doowop)
Visual & Theatre Arts Courses
Acting
Advanced Drawing & Printmaking
Art Trek
Ceramics
Digital Simulations
Drawing
Film/Video
Graphic Arts/Visual Communication
Introduction to Dance
Painting
Paper Arts/Printmaking
Photography
Art & Theatre Activities
Gallery
Stagecraft
Plays
Course Descriptions
Performance-Based Ensembles
Students may add Jazz Band, Choir or Symphonic Orchestra at the mid-year with the permission of the teacher, but they will NOT receive an arts credit for the semester in which they participated. Students who wish to earn an arts credit must take the ensemble for a full year.
Instrumental Music
Instrumental Music The Instrumental Music Class is a performance-based course which gives students a wide exposure to instrumental ensemble music. The repertoire consists of several advanced styles, including symphonic music, chamber music, popular music arrangements, film soundtrack music and jazz of all types. All students are expected to play all styles of music offered in the class and learn all the techniques that go along with those styles (e.g. learning how to improvise when playing jazz). Emphasis will be placed on musical elements such as phrasing, interpretation, ensemble techniques, listening and intonation. Major projects include: a group arranging project of a standard jazz tune, providing the live soundtrack to a short film (a collaboration with the acting class, who will provide the voice acting) and a collaboration with all of the Upper School music ensembles at the end of the year, to be performed at Fine Arts Night (past projects include "Joga" by Björk and "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin). Practice is expected, and participation in performances is required. Prerequisite: 2 years experience in a school string ensemble or band (concert band or jazz band) or at Director's discretion. (Y)
CONCERT CHOIR
Concert Choir is open to all students, regardless of performing experience. In this ensemble, emphasis is placed on learning healthy singing techniques, developing sight-reading skills and participating in performances. A wide variety of literature is selected, including many styles of classical music, world music, spirituals, and a cappella. The US Concert Choir sings in a variety of languages and has several opportunities for performance including US Chapels, the OES Advent Service (December), the Winter Concert (February), District and State Choir Contests (April and May), a collaboration with the St. John the Baptist Chancel Choir (May), All-School Choir Concert (tbd), US Fine Arts Night (June) and US Graduation (June). Each year, the choir has the opportunity to work with internationally known Artist in Residence choral specialists. Past clinicians have included: Rod Eichenberger, Ivan Moody, Bruce Browne and Katherine Fitzgibbon. (Y)
Non-Performance-Based Music Classes
MUSIC TREK
This class is designed to give students of all musical abilities solid knowledge of how music works and the history of music. Major topics covered include units on music theory, music history, philosophy of art and music and composing/arranging. During the composing/arranging unit, students will learn to use two pieces of music software to aid them in creating music: Sibelius 5 for arranging and notating sheet music and Reason 4 for creating electronic music. The main focus, however, is to give students the tools to arrange and compose original music. This means that a good amount of time will be spent on music theory. Music Trek meets each student at their current musical level and takes them further. This class is also an excellent preparation for the more advanced demands of Technology in Music. (F)
TECHNOLOGY IN MUSIC
This class will focus on using computers to better understand and to make music. Skills in composing and arranging will be developed and put into use using several different pieces of software and hardware, including ProTools, Reason, Sibelius, Cubase, Traktor Pro, Audacity and Reaper software and a DJ Deck and iPads for a couple of projects. Questions that are pursued include: What technologies are currently available to aid in music creation? For the composer/songwriter, how do computers make the process easier? What was the creative process like for composer/songwriters before the advent of the modern personal computer? As it is clear that copyright and intellectual property rights are easily compromised using modern technology, what will be the future of those standards and in what changing ways will artists be remunerated for their work? Students will discover how to record live music, write music in different styles, mix and master a recording, write an effective song in a popular style and will culminate in a recording project of original music, to be played at gathering or a school event. Students will also examine current copyright and intellectual property laws and be made aware of alternatives, such as Creative Commons licensing. Projects include the formation, rehearsal and performance in an "iPad Orchestra", and hand-on experience using a Hercules RMX DJ Deck. (S)
MUSIC THEORY
This class will focus on learning the typical first-year college-level music theory curriculum in preparation for the music theory AP exam. Students will learn music terminology, musical analysis skills (harmonic and formal), sight-reading and sight-singing skills, ear-training and composing skills. Emphasis on well-rounded preparation for college-level music theory will be made. (S)
Fine Arts and Theater
ART TREK, GRAPHIC ARTS, DRAWING AND CERAMICS ARE SUGGESTED COURSES FOR FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORES. FILM/VIDEO, PAINTING AND PHOTOGRAPHY ARE COURSES BETTER SUITED FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS. EXCEPTIONS ARE ONLY MADE WITH DEPARTMENT APPROVAL.
ACTING
We will explore skills and styles of acting on a more advanced level than that presented in Speech and Communication. One-act plays, some representing different historical styles, student-generated plays and productions will provide focus for the course. (F)(S)
ADVANCED DRAWING/PRINTMAKING
Advanced Drawing/Printmaking is a course for students with good drawing skills (prerequisite Beginning Drawing or portfolio review). We will explore the use of a variety of drawing materials and techniques (color, pastel, conte, ink) as well as subject matter. Some of the work created during the first half of the semester will be used in printmaking during the second half. We will learn the processes of monoprint, block printing and zinc and copper plate acid etching. (S)
ART TREK
Art Trek offers an introduction to art both culturally and historically. The course covers Cave Art, Primitive Art (African and Northwest Indian), and the art of Egypt, India, China, Japan, and Greece. Other major periods of art covered include Byzantine, Medieval, Renaissance, Impressionism, and Modern. The class is primarily a studio class which allows students to use a variety of media and methods in making projects for each unit. The various projects include ceramics, calligraphy, painting, and drawing. Students will also look at a variety of sources for art ideas (music, words, dreams, and experiences). (F)(S)
CERAMICS
The primary objective of this course is an introduction to and the mastery of basic ceramic construction techniques and glazing methods. Students will begin to explore clay as a three-dimensional media using hand-building techniques and wheel-throwing to create both functional and non-functional forms of increasing complexity and sophistication with glaze coloration and methods of effective application. A large commitment of out-of-class time is required during free periods or after school in the ceramics studio constructing projects. Firing methods include electric kiln and raku. (The course may be repeated at an advanced level.) (F)(S)
DIGITAL SIMULATIONS
In Digital Simulations the students explore the use of computer graphics in a 3D virtual environment. The curriculum focuses on using the fundamental skills learned in traditional art forms (shape, value, perspective, texture, etc) and integrating those skills onto a digital canvas using advanced graphics applications, Maya in particular. Maya is a high-end 3D modeling and animation program that allows the students to begin work with some advanced concepts in 3D computer graphics. We begin our work in Maya by modeling architectural designs with polygons. Working with polygons allows the students to explore shape by cutting, moving, scaling, and reshaping polygon primitives to achieve their architectural goal. Throughout the course the students will learn current digital standards for format and resolution and will use the skills they have learned to work on a final project that will replicate the work-style used in a production pipeline. (S)
DRAWING
Students will learn the fundamentals of drawing objects as they appear to the human eye. Emphasis is on developing hand-eye coordination and SEEING. Students will learn to use and understand the draftsman’s language of line, form, mass, texture, and shape. Special projects will include perspective, circle, cylinders and ellipses, value studies (graduation), texture, geometric and nature drawing, positive and negative design, interior and exterior drawing, and presentation of work. Final project is a self-portrait. (F)
FILM/VIDEO
This course has two main objectives. The first is to understand and appreciate film and video as a vehicle for creative expression and information. The second is for students to produce high quality films. We will study classic films, film genres and styles, and production elements. We will film in digital format and use computer editing and effects software. Please note: Editing film requires a significant time commitment beyond that available in class. (F)
GRAPHIC ARTS/VISUAL COMMUNICATION
The purpose of Graphic Arts/Visual Communication is to introduce to the student a process of visual problem solving skills that answers practical needs. Formulation of concepts and their translation into graphic forms by way of traditional and digital techniques is emphasized. The course content includes an introduction to the history of graphic arts, graphic techniques, illustration, design principles, and color theory. Projects include making a series of artworks focusing on compositional design using both traditional and digital media. Using the latest version of the application software program Adobe Creative Suite, students learn Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Students apply these skiills to the development and creation of a digital arts calendar and a portfolio of original work. Through a variety of projects, students will explore the two main elements of graphic art–the pictorial image and the written word. (F) (S)
INTRODUCTION TO DANCE
The first few weeks will be spent in self discovery as we explore the makeup and mechanics of the human body. We will be seeking to answer the question "What is Dance?" This Class will cover basic technique and terminology for a variety of traditional dance styles including, Tap, Jazz, and Ballet. Students will also be exposed to the history of dance as we investigate some of the movers, shakers, and most influential persons in the dance world. Some partner work or Ballroom styles may be introduced depending on student interest. Students may designate whether the course will count for art credit, PE credit, or activity credit.
PAINTING
Painting class begins with introductory lessons on color theory, color mixing, brush control, and other technical aspects of handling paint. We then look at several historical styles, from both Western and Eastern cultures, to better understand painting within a cultural context. Students will gain experience with watercolor, oil, and acrylic paints as they learn to a) realistically depict three-dimensional objects on a flat surface, and b) express themselves with the art elements of color, shape, value, line, and texture. Each student will produce a series of theme-related paintings suitable for display. Prior drawing experience or permission of the instructor is a prerequisite. (S)
PAPER ARTS/PRINTMAKING
This course is designed as a semester course exploring the many exciting and varied uses of paper, paint, and ink in the making of two- and three-dimensional art forms. Students will have opportunities to learn how to marble paper, to make paper, and bind books using both traditional Western bindings and Japanese bindings. The final section of the Paper Arts class will center on the art of printmaking. Students will learn linoleum and silk-screen printmaking. A variety of media will include several different kinds of hand-made and machine-made papers, a variety of black and colored inks, gouache designer paints, woodblock, and silk-screen inks. (S)
PHOTOGRAPHY
This course begins with basic photography skills including the parts and functions of a single-lens reflex camera, bulk-loading film, processing film, and printing photographs. In addition, we will explore studio lighting techniques, digital photography and image manipulation and a variety of printing techniques and methods. Weekly reading assignments enhance the student’s understanding and appreciation of photography as an artistic tool. Students will develop a photographic portfolio by the end of the semester. Because of the time-extensive nature of photography and darkroom work, students will be expected to work outside of the scheduled class time. (F)(S)
